WAYS WE SHOW FAVOURITISM

• WEALTH; Only admission ticket to greatness. The world’s wealthy are the world’s greats. 
• APPEARANCE; Good looking, fashion, Cool/uncool, beautiful. Special treatment. Beauty is skin deep.
• RACE; dark green-light green
• SOCIAL STANDING; VIP’s; gifting; talents; strength etc.
• TITLE. Jesus…loved the titles…could lord it over the others.

POP QUIZ

1. Do you pay more respect to someone driving a brand new Porsche or old VW Beetle?
2. Would you rather spend a day with someone who is fit and trim or someone who is obese/ mentally handicapped/ unpopular/odd ball ( embarrassing)?
3. Do you make mental judgments on people based on the colour of their skin
4. Who are you kinder to, colleague in you office or school, or the car Park attendant.
5. When you see a homeless person on the street are your thoughts generally about their laziness or their misfortune?

WHY SHOULD WE BE IMPARTIAL?

• BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN CHANGED.

We no longer measure people’s worth based on outward appearance. God chose the poor in the eyes of the world to be rich…As believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ.

Blessed are those who recognize their spiritual poverty for theirs is the kingdom of God. Jesus became poor so we could become rich.

• BECAUSE GOD IS IMPARTIAL. Matt 22:16…Teacher, they said, we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You are not swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are…

Jer 9: 23-24…Let not the wise boast of his wisdom; strength; riches

• BECAUSE GOD LOOKS AT THE HEART Man looks at the outward appearance…but God looks at the heart. Sees a man as he is. Therefore we treat him with respect.
• BECAUSE ALL MEN HAVE A SOUL. All equal value…what shall it profit a man…what shall he give in exchange…

IS ALL DISCRIMINATION WRONG?

• HONEST ATTEMPT TO EVALUATE

Wrong and right; turning blind eye to evil. Can judge doctrine; behaviour; conduct; actions, attitude, but never the person

• MUST NOT JUDGE THE HEART

Matter of condemning; censure; spirit of –ve criticism, judgment and condemnation. abortion; homosexuality – S.A. constitution must not discriminate against people because of their religious convictions; race; sexual orientation

Knowledge – judgment. Lee Harvey Oswald. Belittled whole life, no academic or sports abilities. Father made fun of him, mother rejected him. Marines - dishonourable discharge. Married. Wife capitalized on his inability to provide properly. One day went on his knees begging her to take him back. Life was one long series of disappointments. Took a rifle pumped two shells into the head of President John F. Kennedy, who was a picture of success.

Discussion Questions

• Discuss pop quiz questions above.
• Contrast rich and poor as James does. What are the distinctions he makes. Who are the rich in God’s economy?
• Discuss the ways we show favouritism, are there any others you can think of?
• Check out Matt 7: 1-5…Jesus on judging. What impressions do you get?