James 2:5-7 - Has God not chosen the poor?

2:5

In Romans 12 Paul talks about being transformed by the renewal of our minds, and we get an example of that here. The world has its way of “choosing” people, its own standards by which it judges things, and its own ways of thinking. God’s ways are very different, and we need to adapt to this. God has chosen those who “are poor in the eyes of the world”. This does not mean the rich cannot be saved, but it does mean that there are no grounds at all for despising the poor. And the poor who love God will inherit the kingdom. This is God’s choice!

2:6,7

But we are always in danger of dishonouring the poor, for it is so much a way of life in the world. Moreover, it makes no sense for the church to do this. For it is the wealthy and the “elite” who despise and exploit the church. Even more seriously, they insult the name of the Lord, the one to whom we belong. So in the world’s eyes valuing the poor does not make much sense, but in the kingdom it is actually the most sensible thing to do!