Who is Rich, Who is Poor in Christ?

The sermon opens by questioning what it truly means to be rich or poor in God's eyes. Based on James 1:9-11, the pastor presents a paradox: the one in humble circumstances (poor and low-status) can boast of his high position, while the rich must boast of his low position because riches are temporary like withering grass and fading flowers. The epistle was written in 45 AD amid an impending famine, when believers at Jerusalem and surrounding Judea were suffering from poverty.

The Old Testament teaches four main principles about the poor. First, God has special concern and protection for three groups: the poor, orphans, and widows. Psalm 68:5 declares that God is Father of the fatherless and Judge of the widows. Second, Scripture uses the image of the poor to symbolize the righteous and humble before God. Third, God established specific laws to protect the poor, including: no interest on loans, gleaning laws allowing the poor to collect leftover grain, tithe every three years for the poor, justice and legal protection, and debt forgiveness in the Jubilee year. Fourth, God's people are required to care for and assist the poor.

The New Testament continues and expands these principles. The Gospel is preached to the poor both spiritually and materially. Matthew 5:3 and Luke 6:20 both proclaim "Blessed are the poor, for the kingdom of God belongs to them." Jesus declared His mission as "preaching the Gospel to the poor" (Luke 4:18). The Church and believers have responsibility to help the poor, especially fellow believers. Romans 15:25-26 describes how Macedonian and Achaean Christians eagerly contributed to help poor saints in Jerusalem. 1 John 3:17-18 sternly warns that if anyone sees a brother in need yet does not show compassion, God's love is not in him.

Conversely, Scripture warns severely against the dangers of wealth and greed. The rich are easily tempted to become double-minded, placing material wealth as a rival to devotion to Christ. James 5:1-6 harshly condemns wealthy oppressors of the poor, saying their wealth will rot, their garments will be moth-eaten, their gold and silver will rust, and they will face God's judgment. Those who exploit the poor to become rich will be judged by God (Proverbs 22:16). 1 Timothy 6:9-10 warns that those eager to be rich fall into temptation and become trapped in harmful desires, and the love of money is the root of all evil. Moreover, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter God's kingdom (Matthew 19:23-24).

The sermon concludes that true wealth or poverty is not measured by possessions or social status, but by relationship with God and how we treat the suffering. One materially rich but distant from God is truly poor and miserable. One materially poor but close to God, trusting in Him, and protected by Him is truly rich in God's kingdom. This requires believers to be vigilant about the true value of material wealth, remembering that all possessions come from God, and actively helping the poor is an essential part of faithful Christian living.