Pastor Chris’ Corona Quarantine Epistles to the Flock of AIC Ngong Road, in Dispersion and Isolation. 43rd. Edition.
Dear People Who Are Called by the Name,
Yesterday, we saw the need for wisdom and the correlating need for faith, when we pray for wisdom, in James 1:5-8. Today we look at verses 9-11. Here, Paul seems to go against the grain when he encourages Pride in Poverty (v. 9). The reason for this is that God has exalted the poor person. In the Kingdom of God, material wealth does not give one position. Jesus said that “one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things (sic) he possesses,” (Luke 12:15). The early church comprised both slaves and slave owners. It was not unusual for a slave to be an elder in the church, where his owner was also a member. In the church, God had lifted the lowly up. It is important that we do not judge ourselves or others on the basis of material wealth. Possessions cannot get one to heaven.
They are a favor from God that we should not crave.
Pity in Possessions (vv. 10-11). The rich should look at their wealth realistically. Wealth can hamper one’s spiritual health, by making one lose focus on God and the need to depend on him. It can give one a false sense of security, while in reality, like a “flower of the field” it will be gone in a flash – now you see it, now you don’t. It is instructive that wealth does not make people happier or more contented. Mental illness and resultant suicidal ideation are not more common among the poor than among the rich. The rich should therefore rejoice in the fact that God has placed them in the same position as the poor, in his reckoning. If they want something out of their riches, “Let them do good, that they are rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come,” (1 Timothy 6:18-19).
In the present circumstances, if you are not under threat of eviction for nonpayment of rent if you have food and basic necessities, consider yourself rich, and heed the above scripture.
Your loving Pastor Chris.