Our Friday morning men’s group is studying the book of James. Today we were in chapter two and covered these verses:
“My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. 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,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?” (James 2:1-4)
James touches on a common human tendency: to want to impress those who impress you. In so doing, we often look down on those who don’t impress us. It’s why “average” people fawn over celebrities and then turn around and treat rudely a waitress.
In the body of Christ, those distinctions are to pass away. In Christ, there is neither rich or poor, white or black, male or female.
This principle even applies to the world of business. If you’re interviewing a person for leadership, how did they treat those who worked for them? Did they talk well to those above and poorly to those below? Servant leadership serves both ways.
What else does this passage say to you?