Day 8: Thursday 2/26

READ: James 2:5-7 

My dear brothers and sisters, listen! Hasn’t God chosen those who are poor by worldly standards to be rich in terms of faith? Hasn’t God chosen the poor as heirs of the kingdom he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor. Don’t the wealthy make life difficult for you? Aren’t they the ones who drag you into court? Aren’t they the ones who insult the good name spoken over you at your baptism?

REFLECT 

God has chosen the poor to be rich in faith. This isn't romanticizing poverty—it's recognizing that those without worldly power often have clearer vision about where true security lies. Those without stakes in the system aren't fooled by its false promises. James confronts his readers: you're dishonoring the very people God has honored and deferring to the powerful who exploit you. This is not how God’s economy works.

RESPOND 

Who are "the poor" in your context—not as abstraction, but as actual people? How might God be calling you to honor rather than just help them?

PRAY 

God who chose the poor, forgive us when we honor the people who exploit and dishonor the people you've chosen. Amen.