JAMES
Lesson 7: Rich in Faith
Study Guide
James 2:5-7 CSB
5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Didn’t God choose the poor in this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him?
6 Yet you have dishonored the poor. Don’t the rich oppress you and drag you into court?
7 Don’t they blaspheme the good name that was invoked over you?
Practical Discipleship for Everyone.
Bible Memorization. Psalm 119:11
I have treasured your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you.
Last Week’s Memory Verse:
James 2:1
My brothers and sisters, do not show favoritism as you hold on to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ.
This Week’s Memory Verse:
James 2:5
5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Didn’t God choose the poor in this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him?
Point 1: God’s chosen plan for our lives.
“ptōchós” - helplessness.
God desires believers to be
The status of being rich or poor isn’t the main focus; it’s about aligning with
Matthew 19:24
24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”
1 Samuel 2:7
The Lord brings poverty and gives wealth; he humbles and he exalts.
Philippians 4:10-13
10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly because once again you renewed your care for me. You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it. 11 I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. 12 I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. 13 I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me.
The world’s resources are
Luke 18:18-30
18 A ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 19 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked him. “No one is good except God alone. 20 You know the commandments: Do not commit adultery; do not murder; do not steal; do not bear false witness; honor your father and mother.” 21 “I have kept all these from my youth,” he said. 22 When Jesus heard this, he told him, “You still lack one thing: Sell all you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 23 After he heard this, he became extremely sad, because he was very rich. 24 Seeing that he became sad, Jesus said, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 Those who heard this asked, “Then who can be saved?” 27 He replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” 28 Then Peter said, “Look, we have left what we had and followed you.” 29 So he said to them, “Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left a house, wife or brothers or sisters, parents or children because of the kingdom of God, 30 who will not receive many times more at this time, and eternal life in the age to come.”
Genuine wealth comes from a
Matthew 8:5-10
When he entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, pleading with him, 6 “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, in terrible agony.” 7 He said to him, “Am I to come and heal him?” 8 “Lord,” the centurion replied, “I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.9 For I too am a man under authority, having soldiers under my command. I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.” 10 Hearing this, Jesus was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with so great a faith.
Being rich in faith manifests in our
Write your thoughts about point 1 here.
Point 2: Heirs of the kingdom
God’s provisions during trials are for
ESV: “The Kingdom”
1. 160 times in the New Testament
2. 126 by Jesus.
Kingdom βασιλεία basileía, bas-il-i’-ah; from G935; properly, royalty, i.e. (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively):—kingdom, + reign.
God’s rule.
The promise of the
“drag” ἑλκύω helkýō, hel-koo’-o;implies violent coercion.
Acts 14:19, “Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead.”
Acts 16:19, “But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities.”
Acts 17:6-7, “But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, ‘These who have turned the world upside down have come here too. 7 Jason has harbored them, and these are all acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying there is another king—Jesus.’”
“Court,” κριτήριον kritḗrion, refers to a place of judging, a tribunal, a law-court where a panel of judges determines a matter.
In tough times, it’s crucial to remember who and what we are living for.
1. Understanding God’s
2. Contemplating
3. Considering the
Write your thoughts about Point 2 here.
Key takeaways:
Our faith is strengthened when God’s plan doesn’t align with our comfort.
Growing our faith may need circumstances or conflicts that demand it to be exercised.
Despite the World’s mistreatment, God’s eternal promises remain unchanged.