Am I guilty of favoring the rich over the poor?
Yesterday
We took a broad LOOK at this paragraph about an attitude of personal favoritism.
Today
We want to close in on the illustration of the rich man versus the poor man.
Open GODcha to the Book of James.
NOTE:
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Or, you can use your hardbound Bibles and follow along.
You can print off this post and put in a Notebook!
Let’s Begin in With Prayer
O Lord, as you teach us the way of Your statues today, give us the ears to hear what You say about the rich, and how we are to treat others, especially the poor. Grant us the understanding we need to be like You, Lord Jesus, and we shall observe what You say to us to the end. Thank you. (Psa 119:33).
LOOK at What God Says
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Where will you start?
Let’s READ God’s Word
Read James 2:1-13 again, asking the 5W’s and H.
It takes time to learn this skill.
CONTEXT: What did we learn from verse 1?
What is the problem in this congregation?
Let’s focus on verses 2-7.
How are the rich described?
How are the poor described?
What had God chosen the poor to?
What are the brethren, ‘you‘, doing?
What do you LEARN from the Contrasts?
say(s) vs. does;
rich vs. poor;
God chooses the poor vs. you have dishonored the poor (Jam 2:5-6)
Remember. . .
Hear and Respond to God!
LISTEN…
What do I ‘say’ vs. ‘do’ regarding the rich and/or poor?
Respond to God. . . LIVE it out!
Unlock the Meaning 
What words are 
Key in these verses?
I was curious about the rich, distinctions and blaspheme.
Understand God’s Words
Check Out the Meaning
Rich, ploúsios; wealthy.
Distinctions, diakrínō; to separate thoroughly; to discriminate.
Blaspheme, blasphēméō; defame, rail on, revile, speak evil.
TIP: Remember to take the definition back to the text.
Perhaps jot the definition above each word in your hard bound Bibles.
As you LOOK at the Word. . .
And Hear God Speak!
READ James 2:2-7 Again
1. According to James 2:6-7, what had the rich done?
Oppressed the poor,
Dragged them into court,
Blasphemed Jesus name.
LISTEN…
What might the Spirit be asking?
Have I oppressed the poor in any way?
Dragged them into court?
Do I get rich off the poor?
Am I rich, thinking I am self sufficient, reasoning I don’t need Jesus?
Am I guilty of blaspheming, bad mouthing, Jesus? Why?
Respond to God…LIVE it out!
2. In James 2:3-4, what were the brethren doing?
THINK: Why were the brethren paying special attention to the rich who were oppressing them?
It doesn’t say, but could it be the same reason we do this today?
Were they sucking up to the rich in order to reap some sort of benefit from them?
Have we wanted to gain some favor from someone, thinking they might be able to help us?
LISTEN…
Do I cater to the rich, and snub the poor?
Am I guilty of making distinctions (separating, dividing)?
Am I guilty of being a judge with evil motives?
Do I pay special attention to the rich to benefit from them?
Respond to God…LIVE it out!
Let Truth Explain Truth About
The Rich
CR-Cross References-Word Search Tutorial >
Take a glimpse at the Cross References.
THINK and REASON by asking the 5W’s and H.
The more references you observe, the clearer your understanding will be.
1. According to James, back in Chapter 1, what does God do to the rich who trust in their wealth?
God humbles the rich who trust in their wealth, perhaps by making them poor. (Jam 1:10-11)
LISTEN…
Do I trust in my riches instead of God? Why?
How has God had to humble me?
Respond to God…LIVE it out!
2. Is it wrong to be rich?
NO, Riches are a gift from God. He gives to whomever He wills. (Ecc 5:19); (Pro 22:2)
Understand: James is not condemning the rich.
Understand: He wants us all to look at our hearts.
3. Who was rich?
God prospered Abraham and chose him to father a nation. (Gen 13:2)
Job was wealthy. (Job 1:3)
Understand: The rich were indeed in the early church – consider Matthew and Joseph of Arimathea.
LISTEN…
What is my attitude toward the rich? Toward riches and wealth?
If rich, do I realize it is God who has made me wealthy?
How do I show my gratitude?
Respond to God…LIVE it out!
4. What are the rich to do?
a. The rich are instructed in (1Ti 6:17-19):
NOT to be conceited
NOT to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy
Be rich in good works
Be generous
Be ready to share.
b. The rich are to be rich towards God. (Luk 12:21)
c. The rich are not to trust in their riches, they will fall. (Pro 11:28)
LISTEN…
Has my wealth, my status, etc. made me conceited, and caused me to think I am self sufficient and don’t need God?
What is my hope truly fixed upon?
Have I fallen because I trusted in my riches?
Or, am I rich toward God?
Am I rich in good works? If so, what are they?
Am I generous? Am I ready to share?
Respond to God…LIVE it out!
5. According to Matthew, what can riches do?
Deceive and choke the Word of God from one’s life;
Only a hearer not a doer. (Mat 13:22)
LISTEN…
Has my material wealth choked the Word of God from my life?
As a result, am I only a hearer, not a doer?
Respond to God…LIVE it out!
6. Can the rich hold a faith in Jesus?
It is hard for the rich to trust in God instead of their wealth, but yes, they can hold a faith in Jesus and be saved. (Mat 19:22-26)
LISTEN…
If materially rich, am I saved?
Respond to God…LIVE it out!
What Have We LEARNED 
Sum It Up!
Your on your own. You can do this!
We’re Done For the Day!
Are you listening to what God is saying?
“I will meditate on Your precepts And regard your ways. I shall delight in Your statutes; I shall not forget Your word,” (Psalm 119:15-16).
Journal Your Discovery in Your Notes 
As we close for the day remember, take a minute to type what God has shown you in your Notes and also record your findings in your hardbound Bibles next to Jam 2:2-7.
Video Tutorial> Notes Tutorial >
Let’s Humbly Bow Before the Father
Perhaps. . .
MERCIFUL FATHER GOD, thank you for Your incredible mercy. Thank you for not dealing with us partially, but totally being impartial to all of us. Work in our hearts today. You are the only One who can draw together a diverse group of people from every walk of life to be a family. Help us all to look past what is on the outside to what is on the inside. Forgive us Father God if we have paid special attention to the rich in our congregation, discriminating against others, becoming judges with evil motives. Oh may we be willing to repent and be cleansed! And Father, if You have blessed us with material wealth, and we have trusted in that wealth rather than You, forgive us. We ask for Your mercy and kindness today. Whether rich or poor, may we not be guilty of this sin, to show partiality, as we hold to our faith in the glorious Lord Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen!
Thank you for continuing on this journey in James. A lot of time and distance have been covered. Feel free to leave a comment sharing your discovery and experiences with the Lord. As we continue to explore, may we encourage one another.
Next: We will continue to LOOK @ James 2:1-13, with our focus on verses 8-13.
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