ODB: The Outcast
January 22, 2011
True Christian love helps those who can’t return the favor.
READ: James 2:1-9
If you show partiality, you commit sin. —James 2:9
His face was grimy, his hair long and dirty. Beer stained his clothing and perfumed the air around him. When he stepped into the church building, the Sunday worshipers ignored him. They were stunned when the man approached the pulpit, took off his wig, and began preaching. That’s when they realized he was their pastor.
I don’t know about you, but I tend to be friendly and shake hands with the people I know and those who pre-sent themselves well.
James issued a serious warning for people like me. He said, “If you show partiality, you commit sin” (2:9). Favoritism based on appearance or economic status has no place in God’s family. In fact, it means we have “become judges with evil thoughts” (v.4).
Fortunately, we can guard against preferential treatment by loving our neighbor as ourselves—no matter who our neighbor may be. Reaching out to the homeless man, the hungry woman, or the heartbroken teen means we “fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture” (v.8).
In a world that keeps the outcast at arm’s length, let’s show the love of Christ and embrace the one who needs our care the most.
— Jennifer Benson Schuldt
Source: Our Daily Bread
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That was very insightful. “Today salvation has come to this house”
Most Christians today have turned their eyes to this material world that somehow wanting to have a big house, a luxury car, a maid, branded clothings, branded watch and e.t.c has become something very common or I would rather say, a must. In a simple words, a luxurious and comfortable life.
Many successful Christian friends that I know of, are always busy discussing about business and ways of making more money despite already being successful. The irony is, you hardly have the time to talk to them about their journey with God and that’s really sad.
Of course God did not stop us from being rich and successful however, let us not forget that it is God who grant us the success. I know God want us to be successful so that we can be a blessing to others in financial ways…remember, it is more blessed to give then to receive.
While most will argue that they gave but honestly….how many truly and sincerely give out to the poor and the needy? Lets be honest for once and search our soul. I wonder if someone who makes a 300,000 a month truly gives back 30,000 to the Church for the expansion of God’s kingdom every month?
Anyway, I’m sharing this not based on mere say but I truly know of many Christian friends of mine who chased after success that even Sunday Worship had been compromised all for the excuse of having a business engagement…haven’t God blessed them enough that for the next generation also they need not worry? Let us focus in glorifying our God rather than chasing after something which is not eternal…lets us not forget the needy and the homeless for God created them too. Lets not fix our eyes on what is seen but on what is unseen for what is seen is temporary but what is unseen is eternal..remember what the Bible tells us….
God bless……..
Right! I agree with what you just said. Based from my observation, christian nowadays tend to be materialistic..and to tell you honestly..sometimes I tend to be like that. Dreams becomes more important than God’s will for us to reach for in need people. We have become so pre-occupied with our job and forgot our real mission God intended us to do.
I hope and pray that we will learn to prioritize other people than ourselves.