It just keeps getting better.

There’s only one thing better than uncovering the truth—that’s building on it.

And every time I read and study the Scriptures inductively, I invariably come across something which reveals God’s truth in a way I never saw before.

For example, the letter from the apostle James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes who [were] dispersed abroad, caught my attention;

“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking In nothing.” [Ja 1:2-4]

Consider it joy? Where was the sympathy?

But then, I remembered a familiar saying: “If it don’t kill ya’, it’ll make ya’ stronger!” Now I’d be hard-pressed to actually deny this principle as a Biblical concept because James wasn’t vague about why it’s in my best interest to meet difficulty head-on and give it my best shot:

“Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial, for once he has been approved, he shall receive the crown of life which [the Lord] has promised to those loving Him” [Ja. 1:12]

[What’s the “crown of life?’’ see: The Precious Pearl of Life.]

So, I kept reading.

And, as he rebuked the practice of partiality in the second chapter, he also exhorted the scattered brethren to be aware of this need to persevere, perhaps something they’d either forgotten or were never cognizant of in the first place:

“Listen, my beloved brethren: Did not God choose the poor of this world [to be] rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who loving Him?” [Ja.2:5]

So, after observing this sentence carefully, two questions appeared to be very relevant to understanding what it meant:

1. Who were “the poor.”
2. Who were the “heirs of the kingdom?”

The context of the Greek Substantival Adjective πτωχός [meaning poor, perhaps pitiful or inferior] in this sentence lies below what is obvious. Of course, showing preference to anyone based solely on his outward appearance was a transgression before the Lord. [see; vs. 2:9] But the the gospel authors also recorded this term as Jesus’ own words in more than one instance, describing what seemed to be a lack of understanding and hope in the human consciousness. [see: Matt. 5:3; 11:5]

So, is it possible that some of God’s people were “poor” [or lacking] in their ability to both comprehend and accommodate the promises He’d given to their ancestors?

[What were the promises? see: Common Threads are Common, It’s All About Also.]

The idea of being an heir is rarely spoken about in Bible studies or sermons. That’s because many congregational doctrines are based upon a certain pastor’s seminary or Bible college curricula which have been grounded in mid-Nineteenth Century Dispensational logic for decades.

But that certainly doesn’t mean it’s not relevant.

[What does it mean to be an heir? see: BIRTHRIGHT THROUGH REDEMPTION: Was it “lost in the translation?”]

By definition, “poor” demonstrates a position of need, or a yearning for something better. James’ inspired metaphor, “the poor of this world [to be] rich in faith” depicts a starving man seeking to fill himself with something that would last. [Ja. 2:5]

If anyone claims to be content in his ignorance, he’s living in bondage. The Good News of the Bible is about being raised from the dead and inheriting the crown of life.

It’s a soup kitchen for those who are hungry for truth.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of the heavens.”   [Matt. 5:3]