Outward Judgment

Journey through James: 2:5-7

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? But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called? — James 2:5-7

James continues to elaborate on why we should not show favoritism. We should not despise those around us just because they are different. In this case, he is writing about those who are poor and not as well-off as the majority. We should not judge them for their poverty or think that they are less than us because they have less money. We often make judgments that way; however, James tells us that God has chosen those who are poor in this world to be rich in faith. James points out that we often focus too much on the things of this world rather than focusing on what is truly important. Our earthly wealth has no bearing on our spiritual standing before God. God has chosen those who have little on this earth to be rich in faith and heirs of His kingdom. 

When we show partiality we are dishonoring those who are poor or different. When we treat those who are rich or well-dressed better merely because of their outward appearance, we are showing that we are judging merely on external appearance. This does not mean that external appearance has no bearing or importance, but it is not the most important thing. 

James even reminded the original audience that the rich were the people who were guilty of oppressing those in the church. The rich played a significant role in the persecution the early Christians faced. 

James is not saying that all rich people are evil or that all poor people are Christians. This is not the point that James is trying to make. He is pointing out how deceitful and sick our hearts are. Without truly thinking about it, we make preconceived judgments based on what people look like or their position in life. God does not save people based on their possessions or accomplishments. He saves us despite our sins. We need to guard against this in our own hearts. 

James saw this played out in his own life. Jesus did not show favoritism during His earthly ministry. He ate meals with tax collectors and sinners. He also ate meals with Pharisees and religious leaders. Jesus preached the gospel to all. James saw the heart of favoritism at work in the religious leaders of his day. He saw how they despised Jesus because He was willing to associate with all people in order to preach to them. Jesus called everyone he associated with to repent and to turn to God whether they were rich or poor, sinner or religious. When we start to make judgments based on mere external or material characteristics, we are acting like the Pharisees. Our judgments of other people reveal what is going on in our hearts.