Rich in Faith

Discipleship Devotional, May 23rd, 2025

“Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?”
— James 2:5 (NIV)

There’s a profound statement I heard from a minister years ago which goes: “Some people are so poor that all they have is money.” This statement holds a significant truth, revealing what holds great value in God’s sight. Our anchor text already shows us that it is possible to be poor materially and yet rich in faith. So while having material wealth is good, God’s desire is for us to be rich in faith. What does this mean? The Bible differentiates between those with great faith, those with little faith, and those with no faith at all. So faith is measurable, and God wants us to be rich in faith.

God’s intention is for us to cultivate great faith and to become rich in faith. This signifies a deepening of our convictions and relationship with Him. This is the path to growing rich in faith. Similar to natural relationships, the more you truly know someone, the more you’re able to trust them (have faith in them). The depth of a relationship directly correlates to the richness of trust.

The parable of the rich fool tells us that someone can be rich in material things and yet be poor in faith and in the sight of God. See what Jesus said:

“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”
— Luke 12:20–21 (NIV)

So I urge you today, as much as you invest in your financial growth, also invest in your faith growth. God wants us rich in faith.

Prayer

Help me, Lord, to grow in my relationship with You each day so that I will grow deeper in faith.