The Sin of Favoritism

Introduction

James 1 summary

We are learning about our Faith on the Outside of course. In Chapter 1, we saw the Response of Faith. Previously in vv. 2-18 he was reminding us how we ought to respond to trials - in joy realizing God is perfecting us; asking for wisdom - knowing that is the chief thing we lack in a trial; keep the right perspective - whether rich or poor our eternal reward is what matter; remember God’s goodness - the trial is not a way to tempt us to sin but to remember that He is good.

In the next section vv. 19-27 where we see that James will be concerned now with not just our response to trials but our response to the Word of God.

The first way that we respond to the Word of God is to be Hearers of the Word. Hearing involves that we are quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to wrath - understanding that our wrath doesn’t work the righteousness of God.

Now the theme of Chapter 2 changes from how we respond to certain things, to actually seeing our faith in action. Here we see how our genuine faith should affect our behavior.

Part 1 of this is 2:1-13, where we see that favoritism violates God’s Kingdom Law. Today we will look at vv. 1-7 about the sin of favoritism in general and then in vv. 8-13 we’ll see more about this Kingdom Law and the King who issued it.

James has shown his concern with marginalized communities such as the fatherless and widows in the previous verses, and has already critiqued the wealthy and their oppression of the poor in 9-11. Now he transitions to a more systemic form of injustice - the Christian community and their treatment of the poor.

Today we will see that the sin of favoritism or discrimination is contrary to and inconsistent with true faith in Christ.

James 2:1–7 AV

1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. 2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; 3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: 4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? 5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? 6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? 7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?

1. Recognize the Bias of Man

vv. 1-4

We all have biases - that’s a fact…food, sports teams, books, hobbies. But some of biases are sinful. Any bias that shows favoritism or is discriminatory is not just wrong it’s sinful.

The Pastor James, here gives ...

A. A Stern Warning

v. 1

He addresses the brethren - discrimination, favoritism, partiality, and racism can exist and has existed in the church.

Those who are claiming to ‘have’ faith need to be warned on how ‘not to have’ that faith expressed.

The contradiction here was that they claimed to believe in Christ but were showing favoritism to the wealthy.

God has long warned against this, even from the OT:

Deuteronomy 10:17–18 AV

17 For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward: 18 He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment.

Leviticus 19:15 AV

15 Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.

This partiality (respect of persons) comes from a word that means literally ‘receiving the face.’

Romans 2:11 AV

11 For there is no respect of persons with God.

Means, the fault of one who when called on to give judgment has respect of the outward circumstances of man and not to their intrinsic merits, and so prefers, as the more worthy, one who is rich, high born, or powerful, to another who does not have these qualities

Means to make judgments on people based on external appearances - here we will deal with wealth, but it could be nearly anything.

We are not to make decisions about people based on any external factor—whether it be dress, color of skin, or general physical appearance.

Proverbs 24:23 AV

23 These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.

James is teaching us that faith in Jesus and favoritism toward the rich (especially at the expense of the poor) is utterly incompatible.

Apparently they were experiencing oppression at the hands of the rich - but their reaction was to have excessive deference toward the rich - to gain their favor - while at the same time, demeaning the poor.

But James says that discriminating against people is not compatible with true faith in Christ.

Especially note our Lord of glory - who was humiliated, who was poor.

B. An Example of Favoritism

vv. 2-3

After giving a clear prohibition of this discriminatory behavior, James will now give an example - which was probably actually occuring in the assembly.

We see this example of someone entering with fine clothing. The idea here is not just the garment but someone dressed in a way to indicate status. Clothing that symbolizes social rank and wealth.

Look at the comparison given by Jesus:

Matthew 11:8–9 AV

8 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. 9 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.

One the other hand we have someone in vile clothing:

Isaiah 64:6 AV

6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

Another word for vile or filthy here could be shabby - typical homeless person, mismatched clothing, stained and smelly.

Likely the scenario given (while not specific to an event) clearly was happening in general was that two men entering were likely visitors to the meeting. Or maybe they are new converts. But they needed a place to sit.

The wealthy one is given a place to sit, while the other is told to stand (in the corner) or sit at the footstool. This is clearly an unchristian attitude.

While we may not care about the poor and their status - God does.

Luke 1:48 AV

48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

James isn’t telling us to seek a bias in favor for the poor - but for a recognition of their equality.

C. The Division of Favoritism

v. 4

So now James asks a rhetorical question which is clearly answered, Yes.

Job 34:19 AV

19 How much less to him that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? for they all are the work of his hands.

John 7:24 AV

24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

They are partial - they are making distinctions among people based on outward appearances.

It’s the same as wavering in 1:6-7. They are double-minded!

In reality, this goes back to a double-mindedness that we saw in Chapter 1 - holding faith and holding partiality. Holding faith and racism; holding faith and favoritism - that is a double-minded unstable man and he will not be blessed.

This partiality is divisive!

They are judges with evil thoughts! The evil thoughts are theirs - they have corrupt thinking and because of their corrupt thinking they’ve become ungodly judges - judgmental.

As judges they’ve put themselves in the place of God; used worldly standards by placing honor with wealth; and they are corrupting the minds of Christians.

These divisions being made to these visitors comes from the evil minds of these believers. A divided mind is seen when there is different treatment to people especially based on their social class.

Any hint of partiality, favoritism, racism, and respect of persons ought to be vehemently eliminated within the body of the church. Too often today I see Christians making excuses for this type of behavior. “Well if they had made better decisions they wouldn’t be poor.” “That race just won’t rise above their culture.”

No, that is not allowed here, and it is you, “Sir or Ma’am” that have evil thoughts.

2. Recognize the Choice of God

vv. 5-7

Seeing inconsistency of these believers living out their faith with overt favoritism toward the wealthy and casual dismissal of the status of the poor, now leads James to nothing less than a public interrogation. “Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters!” he exclaims.

With little comment and with heavy assumptions, he asks four questions, each of which assumes an affirmative answer:

1. Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him?

2. Is it not the rich who oppress you?

3. Is it not they who drag you into court?

4. Is it not they who blaspheme the excellent name that was invoked over you?

A. Pay Attention to God’s Way

vv. 5-6a

Hearken, Listen up, pay attention! James isn’t messing around, not only is he speaking as a pastor, but this is inspired by the Holy Spirit - and just so you know, what James is about to teach us may run counter to how you’ve been programmed to think.

The idea of hear or listen in the Bible.

Attention - open ears and attentive to the words

Absorption - let God’s voice in so that it fills your being.

Action - hear then do; respond.

We are told to pay attention to hear and listen to God’s way in this. These poor people (in the eyes of the world) are in fact rich in the sight of God.

Deuteronomy 26:7 AV

7 And when we cried unto the LORD God of our fathers, the LORD heard our voice, and looked on our affliction, and our labour, and our oppression:

God cares for the poor, he hears them, he listens to them.

Psalm 18:27 AV

27 For thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks.

1 Corinthians 1:27–29 AV

27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.

We’re so impressed by people with money, charisma, professionalism, etc. But God isn’t. We tend to think that God needs these things in order to accomplish His work, but its actually the weak things that God uses.

B. Our Despising of the Poor

v. 6b

We saw God’s way, but James says you’ve dishonored and despised the poor.

They’ve rejected the honor that God has shown the poor.

Proverbs 14:31 AV

31 He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.

Proverbs 14:21 AV

21 He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.

1 Corinthians 1:26 AV

26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

Their faith on the outside is decidedly incorrect - they are not being kind - but oppressive.

C. The Behavior of the Rich

v. 7

Much of this difficulty for the poor was coming from the rich - and these were the very people the church was trying to curry favor from.

They thought ‘trickle down’ economics would work for them.

1) They Oppress

The rich oppress the poor through economic exploitation.

Proverbs 22:16 AV

16 He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.

Isaiah 3:14 AV

14 The LORD will enter into judgment with the ancients of his people, and the princes thereof: for ye have eaten up the vineyard; the spoil of the poor is in your houses.

Isaiah 3:15 AV

15 What mean ye that ye beat my people to pieces, and grind the faces of the poor? saith the Lord GOD of hosts.

Small groups of wealthy landowners and merchants accumulated more and more power, while large numbers of people were forced from their land and grew even poorer.

In these days, they were forcing people to forfeit their land for late payment of mortgages, using ruinous interest rates for any monetary help.

The rich frequently use immoral and illegal means to gain money and nothing happens - they hardly pay taxes (we know this); the IRS doesn’t go after them (they said its too expensive); and then we have things like the Panama papers (news stories quietly shuffled away).

They were also suffering religious persecution. There were likely judicial proceedings occuring on financial grounds motivated with scorn for their Christian faith.

2) They Blaspheme

Even verbal abuse - slander against the glorious name of Christ and his people.

Psalm 73:7–9 AV

7 Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish. 8 They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily. 9 They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.

These rich people, whom they were coddling, were slandering the name of Christ. They abused the very Christians who tried to gain favor with them.

They mocked the God that these Christians worshipped. And it happens today!

James says, don’t give any favor to the rich - they don’t deserve it. He’s not saying that we should be kind - but don’t give them preference at the expense of the poor.

Some probably thought that excess flattery of the rich might gain them favor also - I mean really, what can poor people really help us with?

CONCLUSION

Years ago, during World War I, there was a ‘rest house’ called the Talbot House, which was designed to serve as a place of fellowship for soldiers – whether officers or enlisted men.  Over the entrance of these houses were posted these words  —  “Abandon rank, all ye who enter here.”  That sign let soldiers know — in this house, I don’t care if you’re a general or a private, we’re all fighters, we’re all on common ground, and everyone is welcome.

I think that sign ought to be above the door of every church building.  “Abandon rank, all ye who enter here.”  Because it doesn’t matter who you are – rich or poor, black or white, general or private, CEO or McDonald’s employee.  You are welcome here.