FAVOURITISM
James instructs us to show the same love and respect to all people, whether they are rich or poor. Imagine, says James, you are in a Christian fellowship (not a church building because there were none in those days), when in come two different men.
Naturally we would expect the rich
person to be well received. Why?
Because he is clean, tidy, and doesn't smell. besides, he looks important, and he's educated, which means he's a much better sort of person than an uneducated one, right?
The poor man needs aid, he hasn't had a bath for a while, and he doesn't speak very well. He won't 'fit in' will he?
Which of these two men is more valuable to God?
How do we judge value?
In a family, is a short child of less value than a tall child? No. So height has nothing to do with value. In the vast universe, is the Earth, a mere speck of any value? YES. So value is not based on size.
When it comes to people, God places on them the same value as He places on His own Son. We know that, because the Son gave His life for sinners like you and me. If you or I had been the only person on Earth, Jesus would have died for us - because each individual is of the same value to God.
James also points out a sober truth. It is the rich people in this world who are usually the ones who:
ˇuse the name of Jesus as a swear word,
ˇdrag Christians through legal battles
ˇdomineer Christians - denying them many freedoms.
In James' day it was the wealthy Jewish religious leaders who made life tough for Christians. Since then, over the last 2000 years, all over the world, wealthy people have hounded Christians, and are still doing it today.
