Nice Ring

March 18

Read: James 2:1-13

Nice Ring

“Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?” (v.5)

No one really wants to be “poor”. In fact, we spend a good deal of our own energy and time seeking to AVOID being poor. We all have our own preconceived notions about poverty and those people who are in it. We have different thresholds for what we would consider to be poor as well. On the other hand, the same can be said concerning being “rich”. What exactly does it mean to be “rich”? How much do we need to have before we would consider ourselves to be “rich”?

James paints an interesting picture regarding the people of God gathering together for worship and community. James doesn’t specifically say what that “event” is; it is simply a picture of two different people “joining the assembly”. Notice that the indicators for each person’s “status” are their clothing and external wear. One person comes in “wearing a gold ring and fine clothes” while the other is “in shabby clothing”. (v.2) What is the temptation that presents itself / how should we respond? - Paying attention to one person and ignoring the other? Elevating the one with compliments and preference while marginalizing the other? Celebrating one person and shaming the other?  All of these are potential pitfalls.

The truth is that selfish motives and pride make their way into every situation… and this includes the church! The gathering of God’s people is called to be distinct from the world. We cannot and should not mimic the structures of the world around us. Within the body of Christ it is not our clothing nor is it our material wealth that matters. In Christ, we are all equal… we treat one another with the love of Christ and with mercy and grace. This is easier said than done! This is why the scriptures call this out for us - to be aware and conscious of it.

In some places - to avoid the mistake James speaks about - the inverse is applied; the poor are elevated and given all of the attention while those deemed to be “rich” are ignored and sidelined. This is simply the other side of the same coin. Both situations are missing the point. James says as much:

“If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.” (v.8)

Partiality doesn’t become “unsinful” if it is directed at a certain group! The community of Christ is called to be different. When we gather together as the people of God, let us love one another as God has called us to. When we view other people as a resource to be consumed, we are tempted to act the way that James speaks of. It is easy to see the “rich” person and begin to think in terms of what you can get from them. In the same way, you see the “poor” and presume they have nothing to offer you. Both of these dispositions take place when you see another brother or sister in Christ as a resource to be consumed rather than a person to be cared for and loved. May this never be the case in our midst as God’s people. Love you guys. - JDP