'My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?' (James 2.1-5, NIV.)
God has chosen you to inherit the Kingdom. The richness we have is based on our faith not on our possessions, and as we shall see, how we live out our faith.
In these verses, James addresses the issue of favouritism or discrimination within the Christian community. He emphasises the importance of treating everyone equally, regardless of their social or economic status. James criticises the practice of showing special attention to the wealthy while neglecting the poor. He argues that such behaviour goes against the principles of faith in Jesus Christ, who showed no partiality. James encourages believers to demonstrate genuine faith by treating all people with love and without prejudice, recognising that true wealth lies in faith and devotion to God rather than in worldly status.
Disagreement between Paul and Barnabas / Acts Bible Study (Part 45) / Chapter 15
Free from spiritual burdens / Acts Bible Study (Part 44) / Chapter 15
Purified by faith / Acts Bible Study (Part 43) / Chapter 15
Committed to the Lord / Acts Bible Study (Part 42) / Chapter 14
Paul heals a lame man / Acts Bible Study (Part 41) / Chapter 14
Confirming the Word with signs and wonders / Acts Bible Study (Part 40) / Chapter 14
The whole city heard the Word of God / Acts Bible Study (Part 39) Chapter 13
Stand up for the Truth / Acts Bible Study (Part 38) / Chapter 13
Set apart for the Lord / Acts Bible Study (Part 37) Chapter 13
Herod's judgement and the church's growth / Acts Bible Study (Part 36) Chapter 12
The Word of God continued to spread and flourish / Acts Bible Study (Part 35) / Chapter 12
Peter’s miraculous escape from prison / Acts Bible Study (Part 34) / Chapter 12
Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners / Acts Bible Study (Part 33) / Chapter 11
Full of the Holy Spirit and faith / Acts Bible Study (Part 32) / Chapter 11
A great number believed in the Lord / Acts Bible Study (Part 31) / Chapter 11
Commanded to preach and testify / Acts Bible Study (Part 30) / Chapter 10
Peter and Cornelius in Caesarea / Acts Bible Study (Part 29) / Chapter 10
Peter's vision / Acts Bible Study (Part 28) / Chapter 10
Many believed in the Lord / Acts Bible Study (Part 27) / Chapter 9
Dorcas raised from the dead / Acts Bible Study (Part 26) / Chapter 9
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