Scripture Reading: James 2:15–17
James’s focus on work has led to deep controversy about the letter. Luther famously disliked James because he read James 2:24 (“You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone”) to be a contradiction of Galatians 2:16 (“A person is justified not by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ”). Other leaders of the Protestant Reformation did not share this view, but Luther’s objection came to dominate the Protestant reading of James.
What does James himself say? “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works?” James asks, and then bluntly answers his own question by stating, “So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead” (James 2:17). James takes it for granted that believing in Christ (trusting in God) will move you to feel compassion for— and act to help—someone in need.
We have opportunities every day to meet the needs of people we work for and among. It can be as simple as making sure a confused customer finds the right item for their need or noticing that a new co-worker needs help but is afraid to ask. James urges us to take special concern for those who are vulnerable or marginalized, and we may need to practice noticing who these people are at our places of work.
This is the heart of the book of James. James does not imagine that work is at odds with faith. He doesn’t command Christians to work for the benefit of others in need instead of placing faith in Christ, or even in addition to placing faith in Christ. He expects that Christians will work for the benefit of others in need as a result of placing faith in Christ. The insight that Christian faith always leads to practical action is in itself a lesson for the workplace. We cannot divide the world into spiritual and practical, for the spiritual is the practical.
Prayer: Jesus, thank you that we cannot divide the world into spiritual and practical, for the spiritual is the practical. Show me how to work practically to benefit others in need, as an expression of your grace. Amen.
For Further Exploration: Read Faith and Work(s) (James 2:14-26) from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.
Author: Theology of Work Project
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