Favorites

Do you show favoritism? Do you treat those who appear to have more money better than those who don’t? Do you honor those with a higher status while dishonoring those without? How do you think God views them? How do you think you should view them?

We all have our favorites, including people. After all, we likely treat our loved ones better than people we do not know. But when we encounter people with a high-ranking office or those who are rich, we often treat them better than we treat someone who is homeless.

James asks some challenging questions in the first few verses of chapter two. In his rhetorical questions, he points out it is the rich who oppress, who drag people to court, and blaspheme the name of Jesus. Think not? Pay attention to their actions, behavior, and how they speak the next time you encounter them.

In all honesty, it isn’t just the rich, but even those who are considered middle-class. Those we consider to be professionals, whether working an office job, teaching, nursing, doctors, computer specialists, or construction workers. Though we may not consider them rich, they have enough to falsely believe they do not need God.

James tells us it is the poor who God has blessed with a faith that is rich. It is no wonder that is the case. The poor must depend on God to provide. They often live day-to-day or paycheck-to-paycheck. They scrimp and save to provide for their families. They put their faith in God. They praise him for their home, clothing, meals, and for one more day.

We would do well to pay more attention to the poor and less to the rich. We would do well to spend more time with those who put their faith in God. We can learn a lot from them, not the least of which is having our eyes opened to the many blessings God has bestowed on us.

I pray we all open our eyes to see the reality all around us. I pray we treat those with less better than those with more. I pray each one of us see the many blessings God has bestowed on us. Open your eyes. See reality. Treat the poor well. See God’s blessings.

James 2:1 My brothers and sisters, do you with your acts of favoritism really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ?