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51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty
My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,” have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?
Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts? Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called?
James 2:1-7
Moderate neutral theology will not help us during these times.
Our faith and our “God” either sides with the oppressed or with the oppressor.
For Christians committed to justice, this is a time to tap into the radical and
progressive strands of our tradition and vigorously oppose any justification or
cooperation with fascism. Whether we are practically speaking of sanctuary
efforts or drawing from liberation theologies, Social Gospel,
Catholic church social teaching, Catholic workers, confessing church movements,
Anabaptists, active contemplatives etc.…all hands on deck!
zthatz.... Since when has being poor and hungry meant that you were humble?. Verse 52. There is no doubt that the writer is talking something other than bread and loaves. Wisdom and understanding in my opinion. Just saying.
zthatz.... Since when has being poor and hungry meant that you were humble?. Verse 52. There is no doubt that the writer is talking something other than bread and loaves. Wisdom and understanding in my opinion. Just saying.
One can be POOR, HUNGRY or HUMBLE at different times or a combination of the three...and HUMBLE in verse 52 is not necessarily an object that reflects HUNGRY in verse 53...I see it as a LIST similar to groceries...
51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty
My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,” have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?
Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts? Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called?
James 2:1-7
Moderate neutral theology will not help us during these times.
Our faith and our “God” either sides with the oppressed or with the oppressor.
For Christians committed to justice, this is a time to tap into the radical and
progressive strands of our tradition and vigorously oppose any justification or
cooperation with fascism. Whether we are practically speaking of sanctuary
efforts or drawing from liberation theologies, Social Gospel,
Catholic church social teaching, Catholic workers, confessing church movements,
Anabaptists, active contemplatives etc.…all hands on deck!
James 2:1-7 is about when churches abuse the poor christians by showing favoritism to the rich christians.
Needless to say, there is such a thing as a rich christian. Paul testified of what they should so.
1 Timothy 6:17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
Christians are not to oppose those in authority; even fascists. Christians are to pray for them that they may come to the knowledge of the truth and be saved.
Romans 13:1Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
What are christians to do when under oppression and being ripped off even by rich christians?
James 5:1Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.3 Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.4 Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.5 Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.6 Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you.7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
Even in the work place....
1 Peter 2:17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
It is the American way to not be a doormat, but to fight to make change for the better, but it is not the christian way. Those who believe in Him should follow Him & His words; and not heed the American way.
Why?
Because the Bridegroom is coming soon; and our treasures are above and not of this earth so we can leave it with our whole heart to be with the Bridegroom above to attend the Marriage Supper with Him.
Guess it all depends on one's definition of RICH...
If you read this thread, you would think rich means not having any more than the next guy. The poster is in error since he is quoting John the Baptist's in Luke 3rd chapter in how to be his disciple in repentance as well as in following him.
So what is your definition of rich? Is it dependent on the majority of what rich means?
Or should we be taking our cues on what God is really talking about in regards to riches?
One can say that money is evil; but in according to His words, it is the love of money that is the root of all other evils. So the love of money brings covetousness at other people's expense.
That is why we are to love God more than money and serve God rather than serve the gain of money. Anything can be serve as a means to lure us away from loving God more than that thing of the earth.
We all need His help to keep everything in its proper perspective when loving God first & foremost over everything so that we do not become ensnared by the cares of this life to love it more to not want to leave this life when the Bridegroom comes, because apparently, the love of money is not the only snare out there. Out love for people can be a snare too.
Luke 14:15-33 testifies how people can love this life more to not leave it for the King's supper.
This is why loving God first & foremost is the 1st commandment, and loving others second in the O.T.
In the N.T., the first commandment is believing Jesus Christ which is the same as loving Him and then we love others ( 1 John 3:23 ), BUT we loved Him because He first loved us ( 1 John 4:19 ); thereby believing in Him is a means to not love others more than Him because we need His help to love Him more than the people we love so we can leave them in His hands when the Bridegroom comes.
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