My brothers
and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show
favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold
ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. 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,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and
become judges with evil thoughts? James
2:1-4
Discrimination,
or favoritism as James calls it, is choosing one person over another based on
their looks, income and what they can do for me. A homeless person can do nothing for you, so
if you reject them on that reason, you are making selfish demands based on
what’s best for you and not what’s best for that homeless person.
Giving
special attention to people based on your opinions is not right. We should judge people based on God’s
values—He created everyone and loves everyone.
That’s what we should do. It’s
difficult sometimes when people act hateful and divisive, but we are commanded
to love God and love others…Period.