James: What You Do MattersSample

The opening chapter of James calls us to spiritual maturity and completeness. Now he shifts his focus toward some of the ways that we display spiritual immaturity. One of the biggest is through personal favoritism toward the affluent.

I’ve struggled with this for years. Maybe you have, too.

Though often unspoken, there’s an inward tendency or bias to focus our attention on those who have more wealth, more power, more resources, and more social media followers. In a celebrity culture, we can be drawn to those who have larger platforms, more beautiful social media pages, and a new streaming show. Without realizing it, favoritism becomes ingrained in us.

In Rome, you couldn’t scroll to check out someone’s online influence. However, you could tell by their outward appearance. Those of a higher class often wore gold rings which marked a status of great wealth. Clothes also highlighted those who were wealthy. One only had to look at a cloak to know who he or she was dealing with. The affluent ones donned colored fabric and complex embroidery, compared to the peasants who likely only owned one cloak which was often dirty from intense wear and tear.

James instructs: Do not show personal favoritism toward them.

Favoritism has a way of ushering in suffering, pain, and unfair treatment to those around us. Through it, some people are naturally made to feel invisible and less than others. It creates distrust, jealousy, resentment, and bitterness. As believers, we are called to live counterculturally to usher in the kingdom of God, a place free from bias, prejudice, and picking favorites.

How do you overcome favoritism and partiality?

Bravely ask God to reveal where favoritism has seeped into your relationships and interactions, and ask for forgiveness. With each person you meet, quietly pray, “God what do you love most about this person?” Look for ways to see every human through the lens of Christ.