Poor?

[Danny]

First off hello all before I ask anything lol be kind with my spelling, I am not a great speller

I am in James part 1 and I have heard many references to the diff. between the poor or poverty and the rich. I can understand what the "rich" means "people that believe money and material things are so important it keeps them from seeing what God has for them and I am sure other things too but whats it mean to be poor or poverty? I know they are to be Rich in faith but I am having a hard time understanding what poor or poverty actually means? Seeing life as god sees life?

oh look at that spell check option lol lol

[T]

Hello Danny. I am certainly not a Greek scholar, nor a scholar in Hebrew, but from what I can tell by context in James, he is speaking of the physically poor (those lacking material glamor or apperal), as well as the physically rich. However, the context of the entire Word of God speaks more toward the poor in spirit, those who are without hope and more importantly realize how bankrupt they are spiritually. These are people who fear God, knowing they are sinners, but are found without a way to "make that up" with God. This is why the message of Christ is so great to those that are poor in spirit. They are the ones hoping for a message that will tell them how their sins are forgiven. Interestingly enough this "poor in spirit" is a work of God in their life in the first place. To HIM be the glory for this great work!

God also enjoys using the christian poor (physically), because through them His power can be clearly seen. Like in Acts for example, when the apostles, after the Holy Spirit came upon them, began speaking in different languages from all the different parts of the world. The local people who knew them said to themselves, "aren't these men Galilians?" You see, they were amazed to see "simple" "uneducated" men speaking different languages. Here is another scripture that seems to tie together both the physical and spiritual condition in people and how God uses this for His glory.:

1Cor 1:27-29 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, [yea], and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.

It's certainly not to say the rich aren't or can not be saved, but rather they are more likely to claim that their own hands have given them prosperity and with that attitude, they become proud, puffed up, even thinking they must be "good" or righteous people and therefore God has rewarded them with riches. Such was the attitude of the religious leaders of the day, and sadly there is no lacking of this same false doctrine or belief in our present day.

[Justin]

That's a great answer T - and really brings to perspective the James reference to the rich being brought low. That's the position God wants them so that they can see their spiritual "poorness" and their need to fall on Him.

[T]

Haha Justin. I wrote a book for an explanation, and you managed to sum it up in two sentences, right on! As I read your response, it reminded me of Paul the apostle and his life before Christ; high up in the religious establishment, no doubt had a lot of money, not to mention his knowledge of scripture. Why, he was the best in his class! Yet, when compared to the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus , he counts what he had as loss, as rubbish and vanity, yea even as poo-poo.

Philippians 3:7-8 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things [but] loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them [but] dung, that I may win Christ,

[Justin]

It's amazing that Paul could have such a mindset, even John the Baptist who lived in the desert and ate bugs and said "I must decrease"; yet I have the gal to complain about little things in my life or worry about pointless temporal things. If we could learn from these guys how to treat the material world we would be so much better for it.

Poo-poo?

[ryan]

Yes, but Justin you really shouldn't bring your wife into this. That's not really fair. If she complains occassionally you should probably discuss that with her privately, not bring it onto a public forum. ^_^

[T]

Yes Ryan, poo-poo..AKA "dung"

[Justin]

LOL... gall... I meant gall... not GAL!

[ryan]

RYAN??? Justin made the poo-poo comment!! I would never resort to such ridiculousness. ^_^

[T]

haha, my bad!

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