What James gets right and Paul gets wrong

Where does generosity come from? Is there enough for everyone? Did James barely make it into the Bible? What do we know that Paul didn't?

"What James gets right and Paul gets wrong" is based on James 1:17-27.

Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. In fulfillment of his own purpose he gave birth to us by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures.
You must understand this, my beloved brothers and sisters: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger, for human anger does not produce God’s righteousness. Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls.
But be doers of the word and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act—they will be blessed in their doing.
If any think they are religious and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

Works Referenced

Johnson, Luke Timothy. “The Letter of James.” In New Interpreter’s Bible, Volume X. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2015.

“Martin Luther.” Wikipedia. Accessed August 29, 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther

Moore-Keish, Martha L. James. (BELIEF: A Theological Commentary on the Bible). Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster John Knox Press, 2019.

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