“For if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and there also comes in a poor man in dirty clothes, and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing the fine clothes, and say, “You sit here in a good place,” and you say to the poor man, “You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool” (James 2:2-3)
This does happen. I have seen it with my own eyes. And I’ve also known that in many cases, the one with much money has it because they hold on to it closely. The rich are usually not the primary givers in a church, the ordinary faithful are. But this principle deceives the immature and weak in faith. Do not be impressed with outward appearance but live in the truth that God is impartially God of all.
We watch the news and the rich and famous tell us what the right things are to wear. We are told that we too can live a glamorous life if we do the right things. Certain people talk and we listen. We look down our noses at the ordinary people and think more highly of some folks than we ought. Loving your neighbor means loving all your neighbors. Be led by the goodness of Christ and not the tinsel of this world.
Lord, teach me to see through the nonsense of this world. Who cares who has and who does not have. Look for character, not status. Lead me in Your goodness to know that in You is all hope and an eternal future. Guide me in Your goodness to see that You have come to free us from being trapped by the outward things so that we may be led by You inwardly to become children of the Heavenly Father. Amen.