Playing Favorites

Playing Favorites

James 2:1-7

"1 My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. 2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. 3 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," 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my dear brothers: 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? 6 But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong?"

There is a story that has been passed down – I heard that it was true – not sure of that but it is a good story none the less.

It takes place back in the beginning of the Jesus Movement during the 70’s out In California. There was a church there – a pretty healthy, vibrant and prosperous church which sat in the midst of a cultural change. It was the time of the hippies and counter cultural shock waves where everything was being redefined – everything that is accept for the churches.

One Sunday morning the church was packed – everyone dressed in their typical Sunday best. (It was the 70’s so you try to picture Sears clothes in a 70’s style.) Almost every seat was taken when in walked a young man who seemed to have missed the dress code for church going in those days. He had long hair – 70’s casual clothes (think extreme) and generally looked out of place.

He walked down the center aisle and everyone assumed he saw what they did – that there were no empty seats. He kept walking. Eventually he found himself in front of the first pew where he promptly sat down on the floor in front of the podium.

Of course everyone was a bit shocked at his behavior but being too polite to do anything about they argued with him in their thoughts – giving him quite a number of reasons why he shouldn't’t do that but mind reading wasn’t one of his gifts.

Nothing happened for a while until one elderly gentleman – dressed appropriately for church got up and began to walk toward this young mind. Hundreds of silent cheers filled the hearts of all the people – finally someone had the courage to do something about this.

The elderly man walked up to the front and grew nearer and nearer to our young hippie friend. Everyone wondered what would happen when the confrontation unfolded.

Finally, he got there and to the surprise of everyone there, he sat down beside the young guy and both listened to the service from there on the floor.

The Jesus Movement in the 70’s supposedly grew out of this one act of refusing to give in to what everyone else feels was important.

Favoritism – lack of acceptance – close mindedness – lack of love – these are all things which should not characterize the church.

The Bible tells us that God so loved the world - the whole world that He gave His Son for the whole world. Let us love others as our Father loves - without favorites.