ODB: garlic and sapphires
May 27, 2010
God lets us into His fellowship. Who are we to keep others out?
READ: James 2:1-9
If you show partiality, you commit sin. —James 2:9
In her fascinating book Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise, Ruth Reichl reflects on her 6 years as a New York Times restaurant critic. Because she was the most influential critic in the country, top restaurants posted her photograph so their employees could recognize her. Hoping to earn a high rating in the New York Times, the staff intended to provide her with their top service and best cuisine.
In response, Reichl developed a clever strategy. Hoping to be treated as a regular patron, she disguised herself. On one occasion, she dressed up as an old woman. The restaurant made her wait a long time to be seated and then was unresponsive to her requests.
In the early church, James spoke out against favoritism: “[If] you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, ‘You sit here in a good place,’ and say to the poor man, ‘You stand there,’ or, ‘Sit here at my footstool,’ have you not shown partiality among yourselves?” (2:3-4).
When people attend our churches, are they treated impartially? Or do we show favoritism to the wealthy or elite? God calls us to show concern for and interest in all people, regardless of their social status. Let’s welcome all to join us in worshiping the King! —Dennis Fisher
Source: Our Daily Bread
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Sometimes I wonder how I have been found to displaying impartiality in the church setting and I realized that it happens more often than I’ve given thought to it. From choosing certain cliques of friends over others because of “similar taste” is really a poor excuse.
The commandment to love your neighbor as yourself is the governing scripture that should overrule any form of impartiality. So the question really is not just about whether we practice impartiality per se, but rather, do we truly love those around us in church and see that they too are children of God?
We all belong under the Lordship of Christ our Savior in whom we have been save by grace through faith, which is not a result of our works so that no one may boast. Let us learn to exercise the same grace and the same love that we have been given through Jesus and love those around us.
When I read this, I wondered if there were any ways that I have shown favoritism to people in my church. Preferring to spend time with one person than another is one thing. Allowing prejudice to affect how you serve people, and how you allow OTHER people to serve in church and ministry is another.
At times when I am given the choice of musicians to play for congregational singing, I tend to pick the more experienced players rather than giving the younger ones a chance to learn. I give myself excuses to justify my actions, but truly the reason is more often than not convenience. This is also favoritism, and selfishness in not being willing to give up time and effort to teach.
So on top of thinking about how favoritism has caused us to serve some people better than others, those of us who are in leadership positions can also reflect on whether we have allowed our personal prejudices to hinder others from serving or even just learning to serve our God in ministry.