Jas 2:1-13 Favoritism Forbidden

Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? But you have insulted the poor. (5-6) Jesus had once said: I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. (Mat 19:23) Which indicates that being rich is not all good. People feel dissatisfied. They long for more. Sometimes they beg God for one thing, which he gives them, and then they continue to beg for more. It's not just about material things. But those who are poor know exactly what they need, and when they have it, they know that they cannot live a life without God's mercy or else they will die. It is a blessing in the other way. Rich people have more, thus they face greater temptation and, as they got a material base they might not treasure God's mercy that easily. We're all so easily distracted from seeing mercy from above, yet meanwhile it is so obvious. James remarked that because judgement without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgement. (13) The focus is not whether you're poor or rich, the focus is whether you are sensitive to his mercy or not. It's so easy to become a lawbreaker, but the Son came down and died for us. Show mercy instead of judgment today, so that when the day comes he will show mercy on those who truly love him and obey his words.