Same

DEVOTION
JAMES
SAME

James 2:1-4
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?
NIV
Have I become a victim to this kind of thinking? Am I guilty of this kind of thinking? Maybe it is both. No, I really do not think I show favoritism at all except maybe to animals. I do have more compassion for them then I do people. Is that wrong? I don’t know. But I must deal with this idea thinking more of one person then another based on their outward appearance. Do I form an opinion about an individual based on how he presents himself? Maybe to a certain extent I might be guilty of this. But I do not think it has to do with his wealth or lack of it. I think the opinions I form are based on the person himself. How does he act, speak, and treat others are factors which influence my view of him. That may not even be right, and I suppose I need to examine myself more and think the same about all others, showing them the love of Christ no matter how or who they are. That is difficult. There are some individuals I have a difficult time with, and not those who would appear to be poorer then I, but rather those who are of equal or greater financial ability then me. Maybe it is because they threat me as that sit on the floor person. Maybe it is because they act as if they are better, richer, and thus greater than me. It is a sad commentary on all of us, but I must focus on me. I know I do not go out of my way to be involved with those who would be considered having far less then I do. Although I have in the past when I was offering opportunities to be self employed to anyone who wanted, using Amway as a method. But now I am not going to them, and in reality I do not see anyone who would fit that description coming in connect with me anywhere either. I really do think I am more a victim of this type of discrimination then an offender of it. Yet it is all relative. No matter how I am treated I need to make sure I treat each person the same. I need to be that salt, the light and the mirror reflecting the truth, hope, and love of Christ to all.