James 2 - how we are to deal with those in poverty and how to deal with those who have riches. 2025

James 2:1
My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism.

In the first 13 verses, James is going to deal with how we are to treat people in different levels of our assembly. James deals with Elohim's views on how we are to deal with those in poverty and how to deal with those who have riches. Both poverty and riches can be a curse. The book of Proverbs tells us that we should not desire either one (Prov. 30:8). Elohim wants us to respect and take care of the poor among us. When we deal with those in poverty, we need to keep in mind that our Messiah was always in poverty. He was born in a borrowed stable. He had to borrow loaves of bread and fish to feed the multitudes. He spoke from a borrowed boat. He often didn't have a place to sleep (Matt. 8:20). He had to borrow a coin to illutrate the truth.(Matt. 22:17-22). He borrowed a donkey to ride into Jerusalem. He borrowed a room to celebrate Passover. He died on a borrowed stake (it belonged to Barabbus, not Him). He was buried in a borrowed tomb (It belonged to Joseph of Aramathaea.) You never hear of Him storing up essentials for Himself as He traveled. Poverty was part of the curse that Messiah bore for us. Riches can also be a curse. James will address that. Paul talked about that (1 Tim. 6:10). Banks are always telling us where to invest our money. Elohim tells us that He has a place for us to invest (Matt. 6:19-20). What is Elohim's solution to poverty? It is not to rob from the rich and middle class and give to the lazy and sluggard. His war on poverty does not attack the mind with education or the stomach with free food. His focus against poverty is at the heart. James is talking about distinctions and divisions among the assembly that is brought about by money. James tells us in this chapter not to be a respecter of persons.

James 2:2
For if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and there also comes in a poor man in dirty clothes,

The word used for "assembly" here should actually be "synagogue." James' description of the man with gold rings and beautiful clothes is in contrast to the poor man. The poor man has rags on by comparison. He may have clean clothes, he may not. James puts these two men in contrast with each other and at the extreme end of the social ladder.

James 2:3
and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing the fine clothes, and say, "You sit here in a good place," and you say to the poor man, "You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool,"

James 2:4
have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil motives?

James is going into an example of how they are treating the poor among them. He states that they are making distinctions among themselves and becoming judges. Torah tells us to help for the needy in ways that they can provide for themselves (Lev. 19:9-10, Exodus 23:9-11). He also tells us to treat them with dignity and do not take anything from them as collateral on a loan (Deut. 24:10-15). James is using these principles in Torah and applying them to the assembly.