Jeremiah 7-9, Ecclesiastes 3:1-15, John 1:35-42, James 2:1-13

James 2:1-13:

Favoritism can seem a small thing – indeed in certain circumstances a natural thing, or even a favorable thing. Is it not right to give honor to those who have acted in a way that deserves honor? Should we not reward those who compete well and succeed? But James argues in this section that favoritism based upon wealth – favoring the richer members of the congregation – is especially egregious in a church context.

This comes back to the basic commandment to love your neighbor (including your poor neighbor) as yourself. There should be an equality of treatment of all people in the church, rich or poor.

It may seem a small thing to show favoritism in a church context, but in so doing you are breaking the law – and to break the law at one point is to break it at all points.

Such is James’ warning in this passage.

Do we show favoritism? Do we unwittingly give special attention to the person who drives the nicer car or wears the expensive watch? Remember that we are to love our neighbors as ourselves.