09—Forty Days with James: The Chair & the Floor

<p>For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ <a href="https://www.douglasjacoby.com/09-forty-days-with-james-the-chair-the-floor/" target="_blank"><strong>website.</strong></a></p><ul><li>Might we have a wrong view of religion – could our religion be “worthless” (Jas 1:26)? Do I excuse myself with the thought, "Perhaps I don’t need to worry about orphans and widows. After all, I’m not that wealthy. I’m just middle class." </li><li>James himself was not a wealthy man (the implication of 1 Cor 9:5). Nor was Jesus. Nor was the Lord's family well-to-do, even after his earthly ministry. (The story of Jude's grandsons, called to appear before the emperor Domitian [81-96 AD].) There was no elite "Jesus dynasty."</li></ul><p><strong>James 2:1-4</strong></p><img src="https://www.douglasjacoby.com/wp-content/uploads/JBL-191x300.jpg" alt="" width="127" /><ul><li>The meeting (v.2) may be a regular church gathering, or a special church "court" (see 1 Cor 6:1-8); it doesn't matter which is the case.</li><li>Two men walk in at the same time, one obviously wealthy, the other dirt poor. The community is guilty of favoritism.</li><li>James challenges snobbery and partiality—and as we will see in the next reflection, a few verses later, those showing this sort of favoritism are undermining their own best interests.</li><li>How about us? Do we show special attention to the rich? Are we afraid to offend them?</li><li>I have observed that church leaders often treat them <i>deferentially</i>, holding back from preaching the truth lest they be offended. Further, church leaders tend to treat them <i>preferentially</i>, esp. since they hope to benefit from their donations.</li><li>Further, there are implications for servant leadership. Jesus criticized the Pharisees for always wanting the best seats (Matt 23:6). Many Christian leaders are the ones with the fine clothes. And in many churches the pastor is the wealthiest person in the entire congregation!</li><li>Have we become judges with evil thoughts? Are we guilty of favorit