Worldly Poor

For a long time I struggled with this verse because it didn’t seem to make sense. How could poverty possibly be translated into wealth? There are often events that we experience which show little or no significance until much later in our lives. I suppose we could call those moments of clarity as an “Ah ha” moment – that instant when something is made clear.

James begins this bit of exhortation with a command to listen. The word “hearken” (akouo) means “to be endowed with the faculty of hearing, not deaf.” And, in the imperative it is a command to attend to, consider carefully what is or has been said. This seemingly simple verse carries a weight of spiritual wisdom, yet we often miss it.

Poverty (ptochos) is suggestive of someone who is reduced to begging. This state places the individual in a helpless and powerless situation and unable to accomplish an end. Essentially, he has no resources from which to draw. When my brother and I decided to go off to school, we had no means by which we could pay our room, board and tuition. I never really thought much about it, but when I asked my Dad if I could go to Bob Jones Academy he hesitated for only a moment and said, “We’ll see.” That was how he always answered us so it would give him opportunity to think things over. I didn’t know it until many years later, but Dad sold his forty acre farm in order to pay for our education. I was poor, yet I had a father who was willing to sacrifice for my benefit.

While at school, I found myself sometimes envious of the missionary kids who had no money and who had no means of paying their college bills. Their testimonies in missionary prayer band or in society meeting were amazing. When they were at their last penny, a monetary gift would show up in their post office box or an envelope would be shoved under their dormitory room door with cash in it – just enough to cover the bill and to buy a soda as the snack shop. They were poor in the things of this world, yet they had a Father who owned it all.

It took some time for me to understand the faith that had been sown in my life; however, those missionary kids realized firsthand and immediately how their poverty was translated into great wealth (“rich” – plousios – “wealthy, abounding in material resources”). This word “rich” translates into someone who is abounding in Christian virtues and eternal possessions.

Modern times have robbed us of many of these blessings. I would never want to besmirch anyone, the availability of credit cards, student loans, and other forms of easily attained credit have stolen from us our reliance upon God and His provision.

For those who are deeply in love with the Savior, God has given a special blessing. We understand that since God can supply all of our needs here on earth, He can certainly supply all our needs when we inherit all things along with our Savior. (Philippians 4.19 – See also: Romans 8.17; Titus 3.7)

It is worth noting that when God “hath promised” (epaggello – middle deponent), the indication is that it is His personal promise – given from the One who neither fails nor changes. God, Himself, is the guarantor of the promise. When the money runs low, be quick to fall on your knees and seek aid from the One who promised to be a Father unto you.

“Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.” I Timothy 6.17

Copyright © 2023 Dr. John H. Hill, All rights reserved.