Who Gets Special Attention?

Listen, my dear siblings: 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? But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong? - James 2:5-7

In the early church, not unlike the church today, those who were rich had more influence. Their economic privilege got them religious privilege. Perhaps because they could help pay for the new roof or the youth group retreat, they got more attention from the pastor.

But James suggests that this should not be our practice. How practical is that? What might it look like in your life?

And notice that first line in the passage today about the promise of heaven - that’s exactly what our guest preacher talked about on Sunday. Namely, when the rich invoke ‘we’re all going to heaven’ it’s often an excuse not to care about doing justice now. But for the poor, heaven indeed is a great solace because it means that justice will finally be done. So it matters a lot who is talking about heaven and what their motive is.