While initially skimming through the lesson plan for today, I didn’t think much of the topic. How much could possibly be said on a subject like favoritism? Like give me a break! But… how wrong I was! The topic of favoritism tied in with ministry to the poor really bought it home for me. Here are some of the key points.
Favoritism 101
James hits the nail on the head when he tackles the subject of favoritism in James 2. It’s easy to simply gloss over that verses assuming that either 1) I don’t do it OR 2) it’s no big deal. But the subject is a big deal to God and should be a big deal for us too. As Christians we are not supposed to show favoritism (2:1) and it’s not just a simple suggestion—when we show favoritism, we sin…that’s right—the big s-i-n (2:9)!
C’mon, Beni ! I don’t discriminate…or do I?
James 2:4 starts with “Suppose a man comes into a meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in…” This is a little hard for most of us to relate to; but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t relate to us. Consider who such a person in our context would be—perhaps a cool person at school, that athlete everyone loves, the girls from the in-clique, a friend that has places to go and a life—all of these are people that we might be drawn to. Forget popularity, what about in ministry? Do we bypass the shy individual sitting in corner and decide to talk to someone who was on stage earlier—hey, maybe that way you can get involved too. In your life, who might “the poor man in shabby clothes be”?
"It would be easy to dismiss favoritism as a minor oversight (corrected by trying not to do it again) or a mistake (corrected by aplogizing and rectifying the mistake). But James calls it a sin (2:9), which means that it must be dealt with through repentance and forgiveness" (Shafer, 48).
The poor—near and dear to God’s heart
Consider…
What God says:
If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs. Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought: "The seventh year, the year for canceling debts, is near," so that you do not show ill will toward your needy brother and give him nothing. He may then appeal to the LORD against you, and you will be found guilty of sin. Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land.
Deuteronomy 15:7-11 (NIV)
What Jesus says:
Then Jesus said to his host, "When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."
Luke 14:12-14 (NIV)
Those are powerful scriptures!
Now you might say, Well, Beni , you’re asking me to help the poor, but do you have any idea of my situation? I have bills to pay, I have a job that takes up my time, I have to meet tuition, I have to support a family, etc. I’m struggling to make ends meet!
Here’s something to think about: A Statisitical Look at the World
If we could shrink the earth’s population to a village of precisely 100 people, with all the existing human ratios remaining the same, there would be:
57 Asians ( India included)
21 Europeans
14 North and South Americans
8 Africans
52 would be female
48 would be male
70 would be a color other than white
70 would be a religion other that Christian
6 people would possess 59% of the entire world’s wealth and all 6 would be American
80 would live in substandard housing
70 would be unable to read
50 would suffer from malnutrition
1 (yes, only 1) would have a college education
and 1 (that’s right, just 1) would own a computer
Just stop for a moment and think about that! Think about how incredibly privileged we are!
And if that wasn’t enough--in the world as we know it, if you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep, you are richer that 75% of the people in this world.
If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, or even spare change in a dish someplace, you are among the top 8% of the world’s wealthy!
--Worldwide News
Now, you want to tell me about your struggles? ...Didn’t think so.
However, remembering that we are blessed isn’t enough. We can’t forget the poor because God hasn’t forgotten about them. He’s commanded us to take care of them. As the body of Christ, we are His hands and feet to reach out to those in need. As Jesus quotes Isaiah: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because He has anointed me to preach good news to the poor” (Luke 14:12 )
Oh the other hand, you may not be complaining about your situation, however you might be saying: Well, Beni , I don’t know any poor people!
Remember that poor doesn’t have to be only referring to finances. Poor can mean lacking in wealth, but also lacking in athletic ability, lacking in social skills, lacking in care, lacking spiritually, etc. And you have plenty of such people all around you.
So here’s the challenge—
- Living in North America, issues of poverty really don't impact us because we don't find it at our doorstep. But that doesn't mean that we can ignore the many poverty-stricken areas of the globe. They too need our help. So donate…drop a few coins or bills into our “for the poor" cup. Remember that your spare change can make a world of difference in someone else’s life. Everything collected in our “for the poor" cup will go to someone who needs it.
- But before we assign "the poor" to another part of the world, let's not forget that there are people all around us who have needs. As you begin school this week, find someone who is “poor” and provide their need. Do they need a friend? Do they need lunch money? Do they need someone to listen? Be Jesus to them.
Remember!
Ministry to the poor is tough. It isn’t the most glamorous of jobs. More often than not, you will be misunderstood. You may not receieve any appreciation for what you do. You may be mocked. You may be told that you have so much potential and why are you wasting it all. It is truly a labor of love. However, in God’s eyes, you stand tall.
Lord, help us to remember that You have blessed us so that we might be a blessing. Give us compassion for the poor, the orphan, the widow. Forgive us, Lord, for showing favoritism. Help us to love as You love. Amen.
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