DON'T SHOW FAVORITISM!!!!!
JAMES 2:2-7
2Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. 3If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” 4have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 5Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdomg he promised those who love him? 6But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?
This is one that is so easily overlooked and done today because society has dealt most of us a hand of being in the majority of people that work to live, and that makes us the "less than" IN WORLDLY EYES because we don't have endless money to live in the high society!
ON THE WAY HOME WALK WITH JESUS and always stay faithfull to JESUS and NEVER show partiality to anyone because of the status in this world or societal position!
2: 1-7 James condemns showing favoritism. Often we are inclined to treat a well-dressed, impressive-looking person better than someone who looks shabby. We do this because we would rather identify with successful people than with apparent failures. Successful people can help us get ahead. The irony, as James reminds us, is that the supposed winners may have gained their impressive lifestyle at the expense of others. In addition, rich people find it difficult to identify with Jesus, who came as a humble servant. Are you easily impressed by status, wealth, or fame? Are you partial to the “haves” while ignoring the “have nots”? Check to see if you have this sinful attitude. God views all people equally as his children. We should follow his example.
2: 2-4 Why is it wrong to judge a person by his or her economic status? Wealth may indicate intelligence, wise decisions, and hard work. But it more likely means that a person had the good fortune of being born into a wealthy family with good connections. Or it may be the sign of greed, dishonesty, or selfishness. By honoring people just because they present themselves well, we are making appearance more important than inner character. Sometimes we do this because (1) poverty makes us uncomfortable and we don’t want to face our responsibilities to those who have less than we do; (2) we want to be wealthy, too, and we hope to use rich people as a means to that end; or (3) we want rich people to join our particular churches and help support them financially. All these motives are selfish, stemming from the view that we are superior to people who are poor. If we claim Christ as our Lord, then we must live as he requires, showing no favoritism and loving all people regardless of whether they are rich or poor.
2: 2-4 We are often partial to the rich because we mistakenly assume that riches are a sign of God’s blessing and approval. But God does not promise us earthly rewards or riches; in fact, Christ calls us to be ready to suffer for him and give up everything in order to hold on to eternal life (Matthew 6: 19-21; 19: 28-30; Luke 12: 14-34; Romans 8: 15-21; 1 Timothy 6: 17-19). We will have untold riches in eternity if we are faithful in this present life (Luke 6: 35; John 12: 23-25; Galatians 6: 7-10; Titus 3: 4-8). 2: 5 When James speaks about those who are poor, he means both those who have little or no money and also those whose simple values are despised by much of affluent society. Perhaps the “poor” people prefer serving to making lots of money, human relationships to financial security, and peace to power. This does not mean that poor people will automatically go to heaven and rich people to hell. Poor people, however, are usually more aware of their lack of power and need for help. Thus, it is often easier for them to acknowledge their need for salvation. Pride in accomplishments or accumulated wealth can be a great barrier for rich people to admit their need for God. On the other hand, bitterness over their situation can bar the way for poor people to accept salvation. Tyndale. NIV Life Application Study Bible
onthewayhomeministries.org by RICHARD DEAN BROOKS