James 2 - 9.26.25

Scripture: James 2:1

My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.

Observation

In the next several verses in James 2: 2-13 we see how to not show favoritism between the rich and poor. When James wrote this, you could easily tell who was rich and who was poor. The design of clothes have changed over the generations. The rich still have nice clean clothes and shoes, but the poor still have dirty clothes, with holes, or mismatched clothes. We still can tell who is rich and who is poor. Do we judge people by what we see? Did not Jesus come to this earth in humble beginnings? He was not born in a palace but in a barn. Did he not come into the city on Palm Sunday on a donkey instead of a horse and chariot?

In James 2:5 it states: “Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?” Psalm 19:18 “But God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish.”

What I see, God has a heart for the poor. We should have the same love of the poor as Jesus does. Does our attitude towards others align with Jesus?

Application

At church, does a poor or new person sit by themselves, or do we show them love, do we greet them, offer coffee, introduce them to others? Do we ask if they need anything including prayer? Did we invite them back? Did we invite to a small group?  A couple weeks ago in pre-service morning prayer Katie challenge us to look around service and make sure no one new sits alone.

We need to be humble and merciful to all. I think this chapter should not only apply to the poor but should apply to our lives when it comes to who we deal with in our politics, our jobs, our education, or social media and so on.

In James 2:13 it states “because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”  

Prayer

Jesus, you came to us in humble beginnings, and has shown us how to love the poor, as you did, in helping them. Let me not be blind to who is around me or turn my head away. Let me show mercy and not judgment for anybody. Fill my heart with your love and compassion for everybody. Thank you in Jesus’ name Amen.

- Robert Oberg