The Church and Social Change Efforts

The emphasis on personal and social ethics stands out clearly in James’ theology. The apostle admonished his readers to “get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent” among them (1:21). Additionally he urged them to be doers of the word and not hearers only (v 22). He was addressing some Jewish Christians who were lacking in ethical living. It seems this kind of Christianity was too weak to influence the community. James described this religion as a dead faith (2:17). Thus provable Christianity must make an attempt to show the goodness of God to people in community who need such concern. True faith in Christ is to be demonstrated mainly through ethical living but sometimes the social setting demands social action. In order to avoid the failures of the Church in James’s time, it is important to examine some of her social failures.
The ethical failures mentioned by James may be divided into three broad categories namely: pride, selfishness and social injustices or discrimination against the poor industrial workers. This list is not exhaustive. There may have been more evils than the ones enumerated. It seems that the rich saints against the poor ones committed many of the evils.

The Pride of the Rich (1:9-11)
Unfortunately, the few rich believers became conceited and proud of their social status in the midst of the many poor. In response, James gave warning against such boasting and called for humility (v. 9). He also reminded them of the perishable nature of wealth (v 10-11). Wealth is nothing to boast about, for some providence can cause it to fade away like the flower of the field.

The Selfishness of the Rich (2:14-16)
Their wealthy brothers were not only notorious for boasting, but for selfishness as well. They maintained a spirit of indifference towards the suffering poor in their midst. They lived as though they had not experienced the sacrificial love of the Redeemer. Like the religious leaders in the parable of the Good Samaritan, they passed by their own brethren bruised by poverty but showed no empathy. The illustration in 2:14-16 provides hints on the shocking selfishness of this wealthy class in that setting. It was because of the selfishness of the rich that “the brother or sister without clothes and daily food” received only a casual sympathy from the his rich brother.


Injustices against the Poor (2:6; 6:4-6)
The unjust treatment of the poor saints by the rich ones included insults, exploitation and dragging of the innocent poor to court (2:6). Also the failure to pay the laborers their wages was seriously condemned by the Apostle James (5:4-6). In short, they were robbed of social justice. The tribunals of the time were not confined to Jewish ones. Similarly Paul condemned lawsuits amongst believers in Corinth. This was a situation where believers dragged one another before pagan judges, instead of seeking justice in the household of God (1Cor. 6:1-8). The situation that James addressed could have been similar to the Corinthian problem. Before such worldly courts, justice could easily be denied the poor most of who were the least respected in society. It is against such practices that James prescribed the Royal law of love for one’s neighbor instead of the merciless judgments and treatments meted them (2:8, 12, 13,14). They did not show mercy to a needy brother or even a poor laborer who deserved his pay. According to James, this was because dead faith is incapable of producing good deeds (2:14-17). James mentions certain types and conditions of the poor.

The poor included, “orphans and widows in their distress”(1:27);“a poor man in shabby clothes” (2:2); those who are “poor in the eyes of the world” (2:5);“a brother or sister without clothes and daily food” (2:15); laborers whose wages have not been paid (5:4); the “innocent men” who are denied justice (5:6) and the sin-sick believer (5:13-16).
James’s primary concern is for the provision of the physical needs of these categories of the poor. Such needs include justice, food, clothing, wages and healing from disease.

Ministry to Orphans and Widows
Concerning orphans and widows, James encouraged the Christians to show their faith in caring for widows and orphans. For James, such concern coupled with moral purity are the trademarks of pure religion (1:27). However, Douglas Moo observes that this is not the total sum of true religion. He observes that "we must keep in mind that James is not attempting here to summarize all that true worship of God should involve. As Calvin says: ‘he does not define generally what religion is, but reminds us that religion without the things he mentions is nothing…." [1]

The Old and the New Testaments command the saints to provide justice, comfort and the materials needs of orphans and widows (Deut.10: 18, 14:26-29; Ps. 68:5; 146:9; Isaiah 1:17; Acts 6:1; James 1:27; 1Timothy 5:3 etc). Increasing poverty, the AIDS pandemic and bad customs set the stage for the neglect and wrong handling of orphans and especially widows in most parts of Africa. Should the Church in such contexts remain indifferent to social change? James’s teaching encourages the Church in Africa and similar contexts to be involved in social change efforts. Faith in Christ could be demonstrated by doing something about the psychological, spiritual and material needs of the unfortunate poor, especially needy orphans and widows. In spite of the biblical warrant for this need and the squalor of the poor, few protestant churches in Cameroon have ministry programs for orphans and widows in their midst. Care for the needy in the midst of the rich in the church and community is a great way to go public with the Christian faith in Cameroon. However, social ministry must be accompanied by the proclaimation of the Gospel in word. James’s statement remains significant, “But someone will say, ‘you have faith; I have deeds.’ Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do” (2:18, NIV).
What do you think?

Here is what the Bible says about Wi d o w s and O r p h a n s

“Do not take advantage of a widow or an orphan. If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry. My anger will be aroused, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives will become widows and your children fatherless.” (Exodus 22:22-24 NIV)

“But if a priest’s daughter becomes a widow or is divorced, yet has no children, and she returns to live in her father’s house as in her youth, she may eat of her father’s food. No unauthorised person, however, may eat any of it.” (Leviticus 22:13 NIV)

“For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing.” (Deuteronomy 10:17-18 NIV)

“so that the Levites (who have no allotment or inheritance of their own) and the aliens, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.” (Deuteronomy 14:29 NIV)

“And rejoice before the LORD your God at the place he will choose as a dwelling for his Name—you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, the Levites in your towns, and the aliens, the fatherless and the widows living among you. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt, and follow carefully these decrees. Celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days after you have gathered the produce of your threshing-floor and your winepress. Be joyful at your Feast—you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levites, the aliens, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns.” (Deuteronomy 16:11-14 NIV)

“Do not deprive the alien or the fatherless of justice, or take the cloak of the widow as a pledge.” (Deuteronomy 24:17 NIV)

“When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the alien, the fatherless and the widow, so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. When you beat the olives from your trees, do not go over the branches a second time. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow. When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow.” (Deuteronomy 24:19-21 NIV)

“When you have finished setting aside a tenth of all your produce in the third year, the year of the tithe, you shall give it to the Levite, the alien, the fatherless and the widow, so that they may eat in your towns and be satisfied. Then say to the LORD your God: "I have removed from my house the sacred portion and have given it to the Levite, the alien, the fatherless and the widow, according to all you commanded. I have not turned aside from your commands nor have I forgotten any of them.” (Deuteronomy 26:12-13 NIV)

“"Cursed is the man who withholds justice from the alien, the fatherless or the widow." Then all the people shall say, "Amen!"” (Deuteronomy 27:19 NIV)

“because I rescued the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless who had none to assist him. The man who was dying blessed me; I made the widow’s heart sing.” (Job 29:12-13 NIV)

“You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry,” (Psalms 10:17 NIV)
“The LORD tears down the proud man’s house but he keeps the widow’s boundaries intact.” (Proverbs 15:25 NIV)

“learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.” (Isaiah 1:17 NIV)

“Your rulers are rebels, companions of thieves; they all love bribes and chase after gifts. They do not defend the cause of the fatherless; the widow’s case does not come before them.” (Isaiah 1:23 NIV)

“and have grown fat and sleek. Their evil deeds have no limit; they do not plead the case of the fatherless to win it, they do not defend the rights of the poor.” (Jeremiah 5:28 NIV)

“If you really change your ways and your actions and deal with each other justly, if you do not oppress the alien, the fatherless or the widow and do not shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not follow other gods to your own harm, then I will let you live in this place, in the land I gave to your forefathers for ever and ever.” (Jeremiah 7:5-7 NIV)

“In you they have treated father and mother with contempt; in you they have oppressed the alien and ill-treated the fatherless and the widow.” (Ezekiel 22:7 NIV)

“Assyria cannot save us; we will not mount war-horses. We will never again say ‘Our gods’ to what our own hands have made, for in you the fatherless find compassion."” (Hosea 14:3 NIV)

“Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other.’” (Zechariah 7:10 NIV)

“"So I will come near to you for judgment. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud labourers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive aliens of justice, but do not fear me," says the LORD Almighty.” (Malachi 3:5 NIV)

“And you sent widows away empty-handed and broke the strength of the fatherless.” (Job 22:9 NIV)

“A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.” (Psalms 68:5 NIV)

“The LORD watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.” (Psalms 146:9 NIV)

“Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless,” (Proverbs 23:10 NIV)

“Leave your orphans; I will protect their lives. Your widows too can trust in me."” (Jeremiah 49:11 NIV)

“Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need.” (1 Timothy 5:3 NIV)

“If any woman who is a believer has widows in her family, she should help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need.” (1 Timothy 5:16 NIV)

“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” (James 1:27 NIV)


[1] Douglas Moo, James: Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. (Grand Rapids: William. B. Eerdmans, 1985), pp.86