Of Rich and Poor

Equality

“My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby 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

    To quote a friend of mine “God don’t show favouritism nor should we.” My pastor when doing a sermon about the widows mite(Luke 21:1-4) once noted something about some television evangelist.
    At the time there were a couple offering a nice plaque for contributions over a thousand or a hundred dollar donations. While people donating less got nothing. He noted that those who donated less than a hundred or a thousand dollars more than likely donated a larger percentage of their income to the ministry. He also noted that perhaps without realizing it they were showing favouritism. 
    It is important within our church that we not show favouritism of any kind.

“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? 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?  Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong? James 2:5-7
    According to James it is those who are poor in the eyes of the wold to be rich in faith and inherit the kingdom of God.
    For a poor person quite often their faith is all they have.
    I think of believers in the third world. Many are so poor they have to rely on God for their next meal.
    The same is true about some believers here in the west although we don’t really see it. It’s only when we look at the proliferation of food banks that we notice.
    James notes that the rich exploit people. Drag the poor into court and even slander the name of Christ.
    This is not to say all rich people are alike there are many wealthy people who spend vast portions of their wealth to help the poor and impoverished in this world.
    However sadly there are those who do exploit the poor. Around the world we see sweat shops using child labour and low wages to better their bottom line.
    It’s notable here in the west many companies that are doing well move their production facilities from areas where wages and benefits are good to areas where wages and benefits are less. All this in the name of profit.
    Sadly some Christians invest in such companies, not taking an interest in what they are doing, only happy with the return on their money. Sadly also some of the executives of these companies who make the decisions do attend church claiming to be believers which they may very well be.
    This portion of scripture is written to them as warning. James make it clear saying,
“If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.  But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.”
                                                                                              James 2: 8-11