James 2:1-4 My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, must not show favoritism.
The Dangers of Favoritism in Faith Communities.
Augustine (AD 354–430), a well-known leader of the early church whose writings are often still read today, was born in what is today Algeria. He wrote I find it odd, Lord, that in many of your churches, the rich are held in higher regard than the poor, and the noble are esteemed more than those of less prestigious backgrounds. Yet, you have chosen the powerless in this world to shame those who are powerful. You have also selected things that the world views as foolish, despised, and insignificant to demonstrate the folly of those who believe they are wise and to render insignificant what the world considers important.
Have you ever been denied fair treatment because you are poor? Many in Africa have this experience. Some have dropped out of school because they could not pay their fees. Others have died because they could not afford the cost of simple medication. Many poor people are not given the rights, privileges, dignity, and honor due to them. They often receive harsh mistreatment, injustice, and discrimination. At special functions, those who dress well are given seats among the dignitaries and receive special attention, while those who dress poorly are kept away from the head table.
We can learn how to treat the poor by seeing the way Jesus and the early church treated them. James 2:1-11 tells Christians to treat poor people in the same way they would treat the rich. What matters is a person’s relationship with God. Jesus spoke of reaching out to the poor as part of his anointing (Luke 4:18-19). Giving special treatment to people on the basis of their social and economic status is against the teachings of Jesus. James tells us not show favoritism. The Kingdom of God does not discriminate. Neither should we. Jesus blessed the poor and promised them the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 5:3).
Remove justice, and what are kingdoms but gangs of criminals on a large scale?… A gang is a group of men… in which the plunder is divided according to an agreed convention. If this villainy… acquires territory, establishes a base, captures cities and subdues people, it then openly arrogates to itself the title of kingdom.
Reflections: St. Augustine of Hippo St. Augustine was born in Tegaste, Africa (present-day Algeria), in 384. In his youth, Augustine lived a life of worldly ambitions, often struggling with his vices and beliefs. After years of prayers by his mother, St. Monica of Hippo, and hearing about two men’s conversion after reading about the life of St. Anthony, he was a changed man, convinced he needed to live with spiritual purpose, practicing poverty and charity.
The Kingdom of God and Social Equality: A Biblical Perspective.
- According to the scripture and notes above, why is it important not to show favoritism based on wealth?
- How have you seen favoritism shown to the wealthy in your church or community? How have you seen the poor discriminated against?
- Is there a specific practice that exalts the rich or demeans the poor that should be stopped? What could you do to address this situation?
Prayer: Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, so that my thoughts may be holy. Act in me, O Holy Spirit, so that my work may also be holy.
Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I may love only what is holy. Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy. St. Augustine
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