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?
5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: 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 dishonored 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 blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?
Dan's Thoughts:
When James talks about the rich and the poor, he's speaking to something we all struggle with (whether we have tons of money or not!): distortion. What distorts your view of the people in this world? Does economics change the way you view people? This passage is a reminder to see people the way God sees them as you go about your life, and not let the "rich" distort your godly view of the world. As you go to school today, live this out by having eyes for the spiritually blind, reject, unpopular, and neglected students in your path.
Questions For Reflection:
1. Which verse stuck out to me the most? Why?
2. What is God telling me through this passage?
3. What transformation in my heart needs to take place because of what this passage means?
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