Lesson Five, Part 1: No Favorites

Favoritism Forbidden

James 2:1 My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't
show favoritism. 2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and
fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby 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?

5 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? 6 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?
7 Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you
belong?

Illustration:
The story is told of a church meeting at which a wealthy man rose to tell the congregation about his faith. As he stood, most in the congregation took notice, due to his elegant suit, trendy and crisp hairstyle, and well polished mannerisms.

“I'm a millionaire,” he said. “And I attribute my wealth to the blessings of God in my life.” Everyone was enraptured to hear what he might have to say.

He went on to recall the turning point of his faith. As a young man, he had just earned his first dollar and was eagerly thinking of all the possibilities when he happened upon a church meeting. He found himself consumed by the message he heard that night, and felt compelled to give it all to God at the offering. He said that he knew that night he would either have to give it all to God or nothing at all.

At that moment, he decided to give everything he had earned that day as a young boy to God . Looking back, he said, he now knew that God has always blessed this decision and today made him a successful man. When he finished his story an awed silence filled the entire room.

As he returned to his seat, an elderly, immigrant woman wearing shabby clothes and speaking broken English placed her offering in the plate, leaned over to him, handed him the plate, and said: “I dare you to do it again.”

Meditation and Application
What might lead us to treat rich people better than poor ones?
What is wrong with the motives you uncovered?
Pray that God would convict us to to repentance for wrong motives and change us to become more obedient to His Word.