Beware of Personal Favorites
November 20, 2019
Commentary
God doesn’t play favorites. The Christians in the early church evidently were having a problem of showing favoritism. James is saying that there is no place to pick and choose with the wrong motives, with our self-centered desires in mind. In this chapter he gives five reasons why it is ridiculous to favor the rich and look down on the poor:
It is contrary to faith (verses 1-4).It dishonors a man whom God honors (v. 5).It shows favor to those who have oppressed the people of God (v. 6).It is foolish to honor those who make a habit of using evil (vv. 7-8).It states how showing partiality violates the law of love (v. 9).It is wrong to honor the rich at the expense of the poor. Both stand on the same level before God and should be treated as equals. James gives an illustration of a man of wealth and distinction who makes his appearance at the assembly. At the same time a poor man in dirty clothes appears. The rich man is offered a choice seat while the poor man is told to stand. This is wrong.
Application
Do I show more kindness to those with my own skin color? Do I avoid those who have a physical difference and only spend time with those who are strong and healthy? Do I spend time with certain people because it makes me look good? Do I favor the rich over the poor?
James 2:1– 9 (NET)
1 My brothers and sisters, do not show prejudice if you possess faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ. 2 For if someone comes into your assembly wearing a gold ring and fine clothing, and a poor person enters in filthy clothes, 3 do you pay attention to the one who is finely dressed and say, “You sit here in a good place,” and to the poor person, “You stand over there,” or “Sit on the floor”? 4 If so, have you not made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil motives? 5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters! Did not God choose the poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that he promised to those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor! Are not the rich oppressing you and dragging you into the courts? 7 Do they not blaspheme the good name of the one you belong to? 8 But if you fulfill the royal law as expressed in this scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. 9 But if you show prejudice, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as violators.
Illustration: Gandhi Refused Seating in a Church
In his autobiography, Mahatma Gandhi wrote that during his student days he read the Gospels seriously and considered converting to Christianity. He believed that in Jesus he could find the solution to the caste system that was dividing the people of India. So one Sunday he decided to attend services at a nearby church and talk to the minister about becoming a Christian. When he entered the sanctuary, however, the usher refused to give him a seat and suggested that he go worship with his own people. Gandhi left the church and never returned, “If Christians have caste differences also, “ he said, “I might as well remain a Hindu.” That usher’s prejudice not only betrayed Jesus but also turned a person away from trusting Him as Savior. (Source Unknown)