James 1:9-11 (NLT) Believers who are poor have something to boast about, for God has honored them. And those who are rich should boast that God has humbled them. They will fade away like a little flower in the field. The hot sun rises and the grass withers; the little flower droops and falls, and its beauty fades away. In the same way, the rich will fade away with all of their achievements.
Ibram Kendi writes, “Racist ideas make people of color think less of themselves, which makes them more vulnerable to racist ideas. Racist ideas make white people think more of themselves, which further attracts them to racist ideas.” We can easily see the same dynamic when it comes to class. What are some classist ideas that would make poor people think less of themselves and rich people think more of themselves? What about the gospel elevates the poor and lowers those with wealth? How does the gospel break down the wall of classism?
Prayer: God of Justice, You have chosen the poor in the eyes of this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom you promised those who love him. You have exalted the humble and sent away the rich empty. Yet, we continue to disparage the poor, blaming them for their circumstances, and we lift up the rich as examples worthy of our esteem. Remind us that the kingdom of heaven is an upside down world where the first are last and the last are first, and align our hearts to your values. Through Jesus, who, though he was rich, became poor that through his poverty, we might become rich. Amen.
Tongue on Fire 