James 2:1-9 A Slanderous Favouritism

As we have found in the past, there is some focused attention that is appropriate, like the attention that parents focus on their children or that God focuses on his children. But there is another kind of attention that is lethal. James describes it...

James 2

2 My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism. ^2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. ^3 If 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,” ^4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

^5 Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? ^6 But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? ^7 Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong?

^8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” ^a you are doing right. ^9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.

^a Lev. 19:18

Do you feel that there is that kind of discrimination in our culture, our homes, our church community?