“Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which He hath promised to them that love Him?” James 2:5

“You brothers, whom I love, Listen to this!” is what James is saying. One part of the message that sticks out is the phrase “rich in faith.” God has never promised to make His people rich in houses, lands or other material blessings in this life. Sometimes He may provide those things, but it is no guarantee. But, God does make His people rich in the more valuable gift of faith. Faith has been called the “eye of the soul” that enables us to see and know our God and His word. 

Even though this gift has been given, we sometimes are weak in the exercise of it. Unbelief, doubts and going on what we can see with our eyes, instead of what God has revealed in His word is a weakness we all struggle with. As the disciples peitioned Christ, “Lord, increase our faith” so should we. 

We need faith to believe that our sins are forgiven. We need faith to believe that God cares for us and has a good purpose in our sufferings. We need faith to believe that God alone truly satisfies the soul, rather than all other counterfeits. We need faith to believe that obeying God’s word and living a life of continual repentance is the only way for us to live. We need faith to believe that God has perfect wisdom, and that we do not. We need faith to believe that God does care about injustice and one day He will justly deal with all evil. We need faith to believe that we are pilgrims and strangers journeying to a heavenly country, where our joys in God will never cease. “Lord, increase our faith; make us to live in the riches that you have given us.”

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