Gospel Bible Baptist Church

James 2:1-9

Introduction

It’s a common mentality that the rich or the one who has the ability to accumulate wealth will be the one qualified for a position in politics, in the community, and in the church. The Greek word for “respect of persons” is partiality or favouritism. Some of the common terms used in English are the word bias, discrimination, and prejudice. The Jews look down at Gentiles. Some people regard themselves as more superior and despise others because of the colour of their skin, colour of their hair, shape of their eyes, nose, and nationality. That’s why we have the word racist. Even before Christ came, the poor are already treated unfairly and the rich were given special honor. Partiality or favouritism, what does James want to say about it?

I. Favouring the rich. (Jas. 2:1-4)
A. Favouring the rich and looking down on the poor. Probably the most common problem that is happening in churches today. We all have the inclination of respecting the rich and “pushing” the poor aside. The richer, the more VIP treatment. We fail to realize that in the eyes of the Lord we are equally sinners (Rom. 3:10, 23) and condemned. Christ died for the rich and the poor, for the beautiful and the ugly, and both need to repent and receive Him as Lord and Saviour. God is no respecter of persons. Acts 10:34-35. The point James is making is that true faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and prejudice can’t go together. God loves and saves whosoever will come to Him. He does so without prejudice or partiality. 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: (Deut. 10:17) That God is not respecter of persons is clear from Scripture. For there is no respect of persons with God. (Rom. 2:11)

1. Over emphasis on money blinds our eyes and makes us to look down on people whose poverty was beyond their control. 1 Sam. 2:7, Job. 1:21
   1 Sam. 2:7 The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.
   Job 1:21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.
2. We tend to look at the outside also judging on the appearance but God looks at the heart. 1 Sam. 16:7.

Illustration/Application:
In our present society good looking people are more likely to be employed than the not so good looking for the mere reason of presentation and gaining more customers. They trust the beautiful people more than the ugly ones. Sometimes it’s not what you know but whom you know that matters. With the right connection, no problem! The poor will always get the least wanted job, while the rich and the beautiful get the better position.

Illustration: Mahatma Gandhi
In his autobiography, Mahatma Gandhi wrote that during his student days he read the Gospels seriously and considered converting to Christianity. He believed that in the teachings of Jesus he could find the solution to the caste system that was dividing the people of India.
So one Sunday he decided to attend services at a nearby church and talk to the minister about becoming a Christian. When he entered the sanctuary, however, the usher refused to give him a seat and suggested that he go worship with his own people. Gandhi left the church and never returned. “If Christians have caste differences also,” he said, “I might as well remain a Hindu.” That usher’s prejudice not only betrayed Jesus but also turned a person away from trusting Him as Savior.
Our Daily Bread, March 6, 1994

II. The poor (Jas. 2:5)
A. The poor are chosen to be rich in faith – there will always be poor in the land (Deut. 15:11). Being poor doesn’t give you a one way ticket to heaven, but what we mean here is that the poor is more receptive to the gospel than the rich. It is easier to win a poor man to Christ than with a rich man.
B. They are heirs of the kingdom- the word kingdom here refers to present rule of Christ as well as the future. Christ rules at the hearts of every true believer now but in the future a literal kingdom will also be established as prophesized.

Illustration/Application:
Think about it, when the Lord came here on earth, He has nothing though He owns everything. He came as a poor man. His apostles left everything and become poor. The early church fathers live an austere life. Compare now to the modern pastors of mega churches who own mansions, private jets, luxury cars, and yet still ask for more money. True riches are not material but spiritual (Mat. 6:19-20) yet we respect people who are wealthy even if they accumulate it by dishonest means.

III. Oppression of the rich (Jas. 2:6)
A. The rich in their influence and capacity were the one who persecute, harass, and put the poor into civil courts. They can pay the lawyers and influence even the final verdict of the judge. The judiciary system in the third world is so corrupt that justice is really denied for the poor. The rich in their wickedness even blaspheme the name of the Lord (v. 7). Note that not all the rich are evil. Joseph of Arimathaea was rich yet he is a very godly man.
B. The royal law (Jas. 2:8) Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself (Mt. 19:19, 22:39) This is the law of love, royal or kingly because it is the law of God, the great King who is love and whose royal law of love reigns supreme. Favouritism violates the law of love.
C. The sin of partiality (Jas. 2:9) Partiality is a sin and is forbidden in the Bible

1. Ye shall not respect any person in judgment – Lev. 19:15, Deut. 1:17, 16:19
2. Parents in particular should not show favouritism. Gen. 25:28, Gen. 37:3
3. The Lord will reprove (scold, reprimand, criticize) you. Job. 13:10
4. This sin cannot be committed to fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. 1 Tim. 5:21
5. You will be judged. Jude 1:15-16

IV. Conclusion:
Just like any other sin, partiality is punishable and should not be committed. Better to show hospitality and kindness to the poor and strangers than partiality. Faithfulness in Christ and partiality cannot mix. God loves the poor (Lk. 16:19-31).By showing favouritism, you sin against God and hurt the feelings of others. Again the Lord had given us a choice. I choose to avoid favouritism, what’s yours?