James 2:3

‘And you have regard to him who wears the fine clothing, and say, “You sit here in a good place”, and you say to the poor man, “You stand there, or sit under my footstool.” '

But those whose eyes are not on the Lord of Glory, pay great regard to the rich man in his fine clothing, and lead him to a place of honour, while to the poor man they say, ‘you stand over there' or ‘come and sit here by my footstool'. He is an ‘also ran'. He is not even given a seat. They cannot see in him what God can see. What a contrast with God's dealings. He ‘brings down the mighty from their seats, and exalts those of low standing' (Luke 1:52). That is God's way, for He knows the heart.

The story is told of when the great English general, the Duke of Wellington, went to partake of Holy Communion (the Lord's Supper). A private soldier was awaiting his turn, and as he began to move forward he saw the Duke coming and immediately stepped back. But the Duke said to him, ‘No, you go first. We are all equal here.' And that is how it should be in the assembly of God's people.