Who Is Rich and Who Is Poor in Christ?
VBC Albuquerque · Sep 21, 2025
This sermon explores the biblical perspective on wealth and poverty, emphasizing that material riches are temporary and believers must prioritize caring for the poor. Scripture condemns those who exploit the needy to enrich themselves, while teaching that showing mercy to the disadvantaged reflects reverence for God. The sermon calls the congregation to live according to Mosaic law regarding social justice and understand that only those who spiritually humble themselves enter the kingdom of heaven.
The opening of the sermon presents the main theme through James 1:9-11 and Isaiah 40:6-8, showing that material wealth is like grass and will wither. The pastor emphasizes that the poor have a position of honor in God's eyes, while the rich should be humble about their possessions because they will not last forever. This contrast is based on the truth that God's word stands firm forever, but all riches may be lost.
The second section develops the theological message by presenting the legal requirements that God established for Israel to protect and care for the poor. These laws include: not charging interest to the poor (Exodus 22:25-27), the law of gleaning (Leviticus 19:9-10, Deuteronomy 24:19), tithes for the poor (Deuteronomy 14:28-29), legal protection for the vulnerable (Deuteronomy 24:17), and debt forgiveness and the year of jubilee (Deuteronomy 15:1-2, Leviticus 25:10). The sermon emphasizes that these laws are not optional but concrete expressions of justice that reflect God's character as the Helper of the suffering (Psalm 40:17, 68:5, 82:3-4).
The third section condemns the wealthy who exploit the poverty of others. Scripture warns that the greedy fall into temptation (1 Timothy 6:9-10) and those who oppress the poor to enrich themselves will face judgment (James 5:1-6, Proverbs 22:16). The sermon stresses that all wealth comes from God's hand (Deuteronomy 8:17-18, 1 Chronicles 29:12) and the rich should not boast about their possessions (Jeremiah 9:23). The story of the rich man in Luke 12:16-19 illustrates the self-absorbed thinking of those concerned only with material plans.
The fourth section applies the message to the practical life of the congregation by calling for active compassion. Scripture teaches that if someone has wealth in this world but does not show compassion to brothers and sisters in need, then God's love is not in that person (1 John 3:17-18). Love must be expressed through action and truth, not merely in words. The apostles of Christ, especially Paul, emphasized the importance of remembering the poor (Galatians 2:10, Romans 15:25-26), and the sermon contends this is a mark of a true Christian.
The final section concludes by reminding believers that only those who are truly poor in spirit can enter God's kingdom. Blessing is promised to those who are spiritually poor (Matthew 5:3, Luke 6:20) and Jesus was anointed to preach good news to the poor (Luke 4:18). However, it is very difficult for the rich to enter God's kingdom—it is harder for a rich person to enter than for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle (Matthew 19:23-24). The sermon concludes that the wealthy must recognize the temporary nature of their material riches, like those in Revelation 3:17 who think themselves rich but are actually wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked in God's sight.