Book of James
Favoritism: The Sin of Snobbery
What are some of your “favorites”?
Does the Bible indicate that there is a problem with having “favorite” people?
Why do we find it difficult at times to accept “some” people?
Favoritism – The practice of giving unfair preferential treatment to one person or group at the expense of another.
Discrimination – The unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people or things, especially on the grounds of race, age, or sex.
Prejudice – Preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience. Dislike, hostility, or unjust behavior deriving from unfound opinions.
Racism – The belief that all members of each race possess characteristics or abilities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races.
Chauvinism – Excessive or prejudiced loyalty or support for one’s on gender.
Bigotry – Intolerant toward those who hold different opinions from oneself.
Genuine faith causes you to love everyone equally. Snobbery is inconsistent with the realities of your Christian practice and faith in Christ.
James 2:1 My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.
What did Jesus say about favoritism and how he demonstrate how to handle snobbery?
Matt. 22:16 They decided to send some of their men along with the Herodians to ask him this question: “Sir, we know you are very honest and teach the truth regardless of the consequences, without fear or favor.
Genuine faith causes you to see the value in everyone. Snobbery leads you to misplace the value of yourself.
James 2:2-4 For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, (3)and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” (4)have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
Snobbery places you as the judge in the place of God.
James 2:4 Have you not then made the distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
Snobbery places you as sovereign in the place of God.
James 2:5 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?
Snobbery places you in alignment with the enemies of God.
James 2:6-7 But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? (7)Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called?
Write this down:
If I am connected to the Bible, then I am connected to the Body.
We cannot separate human fellowship from divine relationship.
John 4:20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.
Application: Always first, look for ways to value the people in your lives.
Genuine faith causes you to receive and give mercy. Snobbery denies mercy and will condition the judgement you will receive on Judgement Day.
James 2:8-13 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture. “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. (9)But if you show partiality, you are committing a sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. (10)For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. (11)For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, Do not murder.“ If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.
(12)So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. (13)For judgement is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgement.
The practice of mercy is evidence that God’s grace has produced a transformation in your heart.
Genuine faith causes you to realize that you are hurting yourself, relationship with God and others.
Snobbery deceives you to think you are just hurting others.
Matt. 7:1-2 “Judge not, that you be not judged. (2)For with the judgement you pronounce you will be judge, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.
Matt. 6:14-15 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. (15)but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
All that you do as a follower of Christ is filtered thru God’s Word.
Love God.
Love others.