High voltage and cheap differential amplifier
Yes, it will probably work*, and if the resistors R1 and R2 have high enough value to limit current to a safe value, the opamp will be protected.

However the common mode rejection of this type of difference amplifier depends on accurate matching between resistors. If you want decent CMRR it is quite likely that will require precision resistors which will end up more expensive than a ready-made current sense amp.

Also... * you didn't specify what gain and offset you want. So by "work*" I mean it will probably output a signal, but it will probably not be the signal you want.

I recommend doing the math on the circuit in your question, taking into account resistor tolerance and opamp input offset voltage and current. Is the gain you want possible with this configuration without clipping the opamp? This should give you a better understanding of the issues.