Tonight my Life Group studied James 2:1-13. Here are my takeaways.
- We commit the sin of showing favoritism when we relate to people on the basis of what they can do for us.
- Favoritism shows a lack of faith. James 2:1 asks “…how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others?” The people James wrote to were going through some type of trial (1:2) and instead of having faith in God to get them through, they looked to the rich. Maybe they were facing persecution? Maybe some were losing business because of their faith? We don’t know, but whatever it was, they kissed up to the rich in hopes of getting help instead of trusting in God to get through what they were going through. And whenever we put our hope in man vs God it demonstrates a lack of faith.
- When we show favoritism by making superficial judgments based on external appearances, we might miss out on meeting some really cool people.
- When we make judgments having only considered the outward appearance, we’re doing the exact opposite of what God does. First Samuel 16:7 says “…The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
- The sin of favoritism can be committed against the poor and the rich. We are just as guilty if we are unwilling to do for the rich something we gladly do for the poor. It works both ways.