Albert Barnes Commentary James 2:5

"Hearken, my beloved brethren; did not God choose them that are poor as to the world [to be] rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he promised to them that love him?" — James 2:5 (ASV)

Hearken, my beloved brethren. The apostle now proceeds to show that the rich, as such, had no special claim on their favor, and that the poor in fact might be more entitled to esteem than they were. For a view of the arguments by which he does this, compare the analysis of the chapter. (See Barnes on James 2:1)

Hath not God chosen the poor of this world? Those who are poor as far as this world is concerned, or those who do not have wealth. This is the first argument the apostle suggests why the poor should not be treated with neglect. It is that God has had special regard for them in choosing those who would be His children. The meaning is not that He is not as willing to save the rich as the poor, for He has no partiality; but that there are circumstances in the condition of the poor which make it more likely that they will embrace the offers of the gospel than the rich; and that, in fact, the great mass of believers is taken from those who are in comparatively humble life. (See Barnes on 1 Corinthians 1:26–28)

The fact that God has chosen one to be an heir of the kingdom is as good a reason now why he should not be treated with neglect, as it was in the times of the apostles.

Rich in faith. Though poor in this world's goods, they are rich in a higher and more important sense. They have faith in God their Saviour; and in this world of trial and of sin, that is a more valuable possession than piles of hoarded silver or gold. A man who has that is sure that he will have all that is truly needful for him in this world and the next; a man who does not have it, though he may have the wealth of Croesus, will be utterly without resources concerning the great needs of his existence.

"Give what you will, without you we are poor;
And with you rich, take what you will away."

Faith in God the Saviour will serve more purposes and achieve more valuable outcomes for humanity than the wealth of the Indies could; and this the poor may have as well as the rich.

And heirs of the kingdom, etc. Margin: that. (See Barnes on Matthew 5:3)