Showing Equality

by Pastor Timothy Fortune

Something that is seen pretty easy these days is how certain people are treated different because of there status. Now this is something one might expect to see outside the church, but not inside the church. However that is not the case. I find it rather distasteful and repulsive how certain people get treated with honor, respect, and get the “good seats” in the church because of their potential to “bless the church financially” while the average person gets shunned. To me this is far away from what Scripture teaches.

James chapter 2 gives us the illustration of a man who might come into the assemble wearing gold rings and fine clothes and a poor man in filthy clothes comes in as well. If you show partiality to the rich man giving him the best seats and forsake the poor man making him stand or not giving him a seat at all, then you have sinned. (James 2:1-9) Yet on several accounts, I have seen first hand how those with money are given the “good seats” while others are told to set in the back or wherever they can. Why do we do this? Did Jesus not die for all humanity? If He did then all are equal, no one is better than another. We should treat people the same, as God’s dear children.

I visited a rather large church on several occasions and was very impressed with how they treated people. Their sanctuary holds several thousand people. So one might expect that setting down front would be impossible. Yet when we asked, we were told that the front sections of the sanctuary were reserved for first time visitors and those who have traveled from out of town to attend the worship service. This was refreshing to me. The “good seats” were not for the big donors or those in fancy apparel but for visitor.

God loves everyone the same and for us to show favoritism must bring sorrow to His heart. Think of the pain that the person being over looked must feel because of there lack of worldly possessions. How they must hurt. Let’s not be the cause of pain but be the bearer of love and joy. Let’s take to heart the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:12 “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them...” Treat others how you want to be treated, that includes those who don’t have potential to do anything for you.