Mature Judgment
Favoritism – Part 1

Scripture Reading: James 2:1-13

Key Verse: James 2:1

My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism.

Most of us know that God is the only true and righteous judge.  The Bible says, “…you have come to God, the judge of all men…” (Hebrews 12:23b).  One of the things God is judging is how we judge the people around us.  God is watching us and listening to every conversation we have—especially as we talk about people.  The question that the Apostle James is delving into in this second chapter is how we treat people because of our judgment of them.

James uses an example to help us clarify our way of judging people.  He points to a situation where a man walks into a meeting that we are attending.  The man is obviously wealthy—expensive rings and fine clothing.  Soon another man walks into this same meeting; he is obviously poor, by all appearances.  The apostle writes, “If you show special attention to the rich man”, giving him an honored place to sit, but tell the poor man to sit on the floor, haven’t we shown favoritism?  James actually calls it, “evil discrimination” (James 2:4).  In other words, a person who judges one man more worthy of honor because of wealth grieves God’s heart!

God wants His children to see all people as He does: equal value!  Mature judgment recognizes that value is not found in wealth or fame, but in every person who has an eternal soul.  (Continued)

Father, check my spirit when I judge one person more valuable than another because of their wealth.  In Jesus’ name, amen.