Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good seat for you," but say to the poor man, "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet," have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?James 2:2-4
During biblical times, it was common for the rich to wear very ostentatious and outlandish garments. For example, most people would wear rings on nearly every finger and sew expensive jewels directly into the fabric of their clothes. It was easy to spot the wealthy.
Even in today's fashion-friendly world, we know money when we see it. When you see someone dressed in the latest name brand clothes or driving an expensive car, you think, "They've got some serious cash!"
Then, if you see someone walk in wearing "shabby clothes," hand-me-downs, you may think less of them.
Boil that down. What is it? It's taking those two types of people at face value. You've heard the saying, "Don't judge a book by its cover." That saying only echoes what James wrote hundreds of years ago.
When we discriminate; when we show favoritism and only look at the surface level, we will miss so many opportunities that God has for us. Don't do that. Instead, learn to look past the surface and discover the true value each person has in the eyes of God.
A Prayer for Today
Dear God, It can be so easy to judge people just by what I see. As I go through my life, help me to look past the surface and instead see the value that you place on each person. Help me to see them as you see them. In Christ�s name I pray, Amen.
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