Can the Church Play Favorites?
Favoritism Forbidden
2 My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. 2 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. 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?
So often we says the word "he/she is my favorite". While this is quite natural do, even with kids, James forbids it in the early church. When Jesus came to us, he broke down all the divisions in society which were based on religion (Jew/Gentile), Race (color), economic (rich/poor) and gender (women/men) differences. This was a radical departure from societal norms. A significant aspect of Jesus' ministry was to break down walls that divided us, to bring about a unity for all mankind. Jesus' ministry was one of reconciliation to God and people.
What James is particularly concerned about is favoritism, or what some others translate as "partiality". Here is what one commentator says about partiality:
i. To show partiality shows that we care more for the outward appearance than we do upon the heart. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD LOOKS AT THE HEART (1 Samuel 16:7). God looks at the heart, and so should we.
ii. To show partiality shows that we misunderstand who is important and blessed in the sight of God. When we assume that the rich man is more important to God or more blessed by God, we put too much value in material riches.
iii. To show partiality shows a selfish streak in us. Usually we favor the rich man over the poor man because we believe we can get more from the rich man. He can do favors for us that the poor man can't. (Guzik)
As we study Jesus' ministry, we notice he did not show partiality to any particular sub-group of people. He ministered to rich tax collectors, despised Samaritans, adulteress women, and the chronically diseased. He was no respecter of race, riches or religion. So if that was Jesus' approach, how should the Church act in the world? What should it look like? Is it intentionally set up to welcome all people? Is an all white church in an ethnically diverse city okay? Should an all black church reach out to the other cultures around its four walls? Do we seek to truly understand the real needs of those who are hurting around us, including the rich and poor?
Jesus' prayer is that the church would be one, as He and the Father are one. My seminary professor quipped, "I don't think Jesus is going to come back if we don't even like each other!" So where can we start? We can start where Jesus started, by loving those who He brings into our lives and churches. If this is Jesus' desire, He will make it happen, as we are open to it and respond to the call to those in our neighborhoods, whoever they may be. Did Jesus, show favoritism? No. Is James' message as much for us today, as his community of faith? Absolutely!
2 My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. 2 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. 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?
So often we says the word "he/she is my favorite". While this is quite natural do, even with kids, James forbids it in the early church. When Jesus came to us, he broke down all the divisions in society which were based on religion (Jew/Gentile), Race (color), economic (rich/poor) and gender (women/men) differences. This was a radical departure from societal norms. A significant aspect of Jesus' ministry was to break down walls that divided us, to bring about a unity for all mankind. Jesus' ministry was one of reconciliation to God and people.
What James is particularly concerned about is favoritism, or what some others translate as "partiality". Here is what one commentator says about partiality:
i. To show partiality shows that we care more for the outward appearance than we do upon the heart. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD LOOKS AT THE HEART (1 Samuel 16:7). God looks at the heart, and so should we.
ii. To show partiality shows that we misunderstand who is important and blessed in the sight of God. When we assume that the rich man is more important to God or more blessed by God, we put too much value in material riches.
iii. To show partiality shows a selfish streak in us. Usually we favor the rich man over the poor man because we believe we can get more from the rich man. He can do favors for us that the poor man can't. (Guzik)
As we study Jesus' ministry, we notice he did not show partiality to any particular sub-group of people. He ministered to rich tax collectors, despised Samaritans, adulteress women, and the chronically diseased. He was no respecter of race, riches or religion. So if that was Jesus' approach, how should the Church act in the world? What should it look like? Is it intentionally set up to welcome all people? Is an all white church in an ethnically diverse city okay? Should an all black church reach out to the other cultures around its four walls? Do we seek to truly understand the real needs of those who are hurting around us, including the rich and poor?
Jesus' prayer is that the church would be one, as He and the Father are one. My seminary professor quipped, "I don't think Jesus is going to come back if we don't even like each other!" So where can we start? We can start where Jesus started, by loving those who He brings into our lives and churches. If this is Jesus' desire, He will make it happen, as we are open to it and respond to the call to those in our neighborhoods, whoever they may be. Did Jesus, show favoritism? No. Is James' message as much for us today, as his community of faith? Absolutely!
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