Scripture: James 2: 1-4
My dear brothers and sisters,[a] how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? 2 For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting[b] dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. 3 If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well, 4 doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives?
Scripture Commentary: Don’t discriminate based on the world’s standards.
Why do we discriminate based on earthly wealth? In James 2, we are presented with two people. We assume one is wealthy based on his fancy clothes and expensive jewelry. We assume the other is poor based on his dirty clothes.
What if both men were plainly dressed? How could we distinguish one against the other? What would we judge each on?
Would you see love, gratefulness or greed and selfishness? The poor man could have so much bitterness that it blocks his way to salvation. On the other hand, the rich man can be using his wealth to help others.
Jesus taught us to love one another as he loves us.
We don’t have the right to judge others. We must treat everyone as we would want to be treated. Don’t place one person over another. As God’s children we are to be Christ-like. Walk in the light that God has revealed to us.
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