James 2:1-13 NLT
[1] My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? [2] For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. [3] If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”-well, [4] doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives? [5] Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him? [6] But you dishonor the poor! Isn’t it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? [7] Aren’t they the ones who slander Jesus Christ, whose noble name you bear? [8] Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” [9] But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law. [10] For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws. [11] For the same God who said, “You must not commit adultery,” also said, “You must not murder.” So if you murder someone but do not commit adultery, you have still broken the law. [12] So whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law that sets you free. [13] There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you.

Someone walks into the room wearing a sharp, expensive looking outfit, the latest smart watch and is followed by a personal assistant looking person who is constantly referring to a schedule and taking notes on a phone. We watch them enter and wonder who they are and what business they own. We wonder if the assistant drove them there in a Beamer or a Jaguar or that newst luxury Lincoln. And we think, “It must be nice living that lifestyle.” And we’re just a little jealous, but we hope we can meet them and become their friend.

Now make that room the entrance to our church facility. Do we escort them with all smiles to a seat near the front close to the platform and assure them of how glad we are to have them with us? Do we let the usher know to make sure they get info on how to give online with their smart phone? Do we point them out to the Pastor so he can greet them personally before the service begins?

Let’s suppose that right behind that affluent-looking pair, a 2007 Nissan sub-compact rolls by with a slightly disheveled young mom driving with two boisterous children hanging out of the windows. She parks, puts out a cigarette, unloads her family and heads to the door. We recognize her Wal-Mart dress from a TV ad and notice they’re all wearing flip flops. Do we wonder if she’s married and where could the dad be? Do we show her to a seat near the back and tell her it’s conveniently located near the nursery?

If both scenarios describe something that would happen at one of our worship services, then we are guilty of showing favoritism to the rich. If both situations describe our reactions when we meet the wealthy, as opposed to average, perhaps even poor, people, then we are prejudiced in how we treat people who are in different socio-economic levels. And James tells us, “Don’t show favoritism toward the rich just because they are rich.” We sin when we do that. We are not demonstrating Christ-like, unconditional, agapé love toward people when we do that. Don’t do it. Prejudices toward people based on their wealth have no place in the body of Christ.

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