Believers who are poor have something to boast about, for God has honored them. And those who are rich should boast that God has humbled them. They will fade away like a little flower in the field. The hot sun rises and the grass withers; the little flower droops and falls, and its beauty fades away. In the same way, the rich will fade away with all of their achievements.
James 1:9-11

For the Lord your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords. He is the great God, the mighty and awesome God, who shows no partiality and cannot be bribed. He ensures that orphans and widows receive justice. He shows love to the foreigners living among you and gives them food and clothing.
Deuteronomy 10:17-18

It is a sin to belittle one’s neighbor; blessed are those who help the poor.
Proverbs 14:21

You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.
2 Corinthians 8:9

Then Jesus turned to his disciples and said, “God blesses you who are poor, for the Kingdom of God is yours."
Luke 6:20

This week we looked at how James deals with the theme of 'rich and poor' in 1:9-11 and 2:1-13.  

Discussion Questions

  1. Pastor John-Mark began by suggesting North Americans talk indirectly about class differences through comedy. Do you agree? Can you think of other examples? 

  2. Have you experienced poverty and/or wealth in your life? How do you define “rich” and “poor”? 

  3. In what ways are wealth/riches promoted or worshipped in various cultures? Can you think of any culture that rejects riches (i.e. says being rich “is a bad thing”)? 

  4. God’s priorities for Israel are described in Deuteronomy 10:18. What are the modern equivalents in our society in Canada today? 

  5. James says that both rich and poor have something to boast about (James 1:9-10): 

    1. How does the Old Testament and the preaching of Jesus “raise up” the poor? 

    2. How does the Old Testament and the preaching of Jesus “bring down” the rich?   

    3. How has the idea of “kingdom equality” been attempted by Christians? The first examples are in Acts chapters 2 and 4 – do you know of others from church history? 

  6. James claims that treating people equally in the church is related to the law of love: “Love your neighbour as yourself” (James 2:8). Have you personally experienced “kingdom equality” in church? Describe that experience. 

  7. J-M concluded by saying our priorities should line up with Jesus’ kingdom: stabilizing families in economic crisis (short-term) and working toward breaking the cycle of poverty (long-term). Do you agree? What are some practical ways we can be doing this? 

  8. One of the dangers for the Church in working with the poor is promoting a 'saviour complex' (“We are coming to help you, and we have all the answers.”)

    1. How might ministry to those experiencing poverty better reflect kingdom equality?   

    2. How does “loving our neighbour as ourselves” change how we find solutions to the cycle of poverty? 

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