Daily Devotional for Tuesday, March 5

Treating Poor Visitors with No Respect

“Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?” James 2:4.

I took a sociology class, and our assignments involved simply studying people and their behavior. My classmate conducted an experiment that gave the exact results we all expected. She “dressed down” in a flannel shirt, jeans and flip flops and entered a local jewelry shop. She looked around for a while before the salesperson finally addressed her. When she asked to look at a very expensive diamond ring, the salesperson directed her toward the lower end of the selection.

Days later, she went back as a wealthy customer. Wearing makeup, jewelry, a dress suit and glasses, she was addressed quickly, and the salesperson took extra time helping her. The results were astonishing but not surprising.

Worldwide, humanity tends to show deference to the wealthy, whether it is perceived wealth or true wealth. Those more well-off are treated differently. James warned against this among Christians. When we assemble, we are to treat people equally regardless of their dress or perceived wealth. Although local culture pampers, Christian culture should not. God instructs in Leviticus 19:15, “Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.” James applied this commandment practically. If a visitor who is visibly wealthy enters our worship center, and we make a fuss to get him a good seat, but we do not do the same for someone visibly common or poor, we are discriminating and making judgments that are not ours to make. One preacher likened this to “seat renting” in the sanctuary. We might be tempted to “think uncharitably of a visitor who has innocently usurped our favorite corner pew.” Are we saving the best for ourselves and those like us and thereby directing others to a less desirable place? May it not be so!

THOUGHT
Jesus said, “But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first” (Matthew 19:30).

Kelli Reynolds