James 2:3

"and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing the fine clothes, and say, 'You sit here in the good place,' and you say to the poor man, 'You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool.'"pay special attention" -Draper notes, "One of the great dangers of the church is to look for people who can help us instead of looking for people we can help. Too many Christians want to be blessed instead of being. blessing. Some churches seem to build their fellowship out of those who can contribute something rather than finding those who need help" (p. 74)

Points To Note:

1. Barclay reminds us, "The Church was the only place in the ancient world where social distinctions did not exist (or were not to). There must have been. certain initial awkwardness when. master found himself sitting next his slave" (Barclay p. 76). 2. Add to this fact that many members came from the lower social and economic classes (1 Corinthians 1:26). When. rich man visited or was converted there must have been as Barclay notes, "a very real temptation to make. fuss of him, and to treat him as. special trophy for Christ" (p. 76). "In. good place" would probably be near the front, "the visitor is escorted to the most favored place in the building and with great deference there seated" (Woods p. 108). "You stand over there" -no one was willing to give up their seat for the visitor who was. poor man."sit down by my footstool" -sit down on the ground besides my footstool, that is take. seat on the floor next to my feet. Such was. place of extreme humility, conquerors often placed their feet on the necks of their victims (Hebrews 1:13). Notice the contempt being shown to the poor man, he is rudely told to stand or find. place for himself on the floor. Remember, these might be two non-Christians! For no one to move or give up his seat so the poor man could rest and concentrate on the teaching being presented was inexcusable. It was as if the poor man was simply being tolerated instead of welcomed.

Points To Note:

We must always examine our own actions to make sure that we aren't being rude to our visitors. Do we ignore their presence? Walk right by them without speaking? Allow them to leave without being welcomed and invited back?