The Scuffed School Bag
Written for Bible Journey Plan. Our editorial standards.
My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.
James 2:1 KJV
This is an original fictional illustration, not a historical report or an added Bible event.
The new boy's school bag had a repaired strap and a scuff across the front. Oliver noticed it before he noticed the boy's name. At break, he nearly chose another seat because he did not know what the others would think.
Then the boy opened a notebook full of careful drawings of birds. Oliver sat down, introduced himself, and asked about the blue bird on the page. They spent the rest of break talking.
James warns believers against judging people by outward signs of wealth. A bag cannot tell us how much kindness a person deserves. Even if the notebook had been empty, the new boy would still have deserved a welcome. Oliver was learning to notice the person carrying the bag.
A small step for today
Clothes and expensive things do not tell us how much a person matters. Welcome the child with plain shoes as kindly as the child with new ones. James warns believers against showing favour because someone looks rich. Learn a name, make room, and be fair. Every person should be treated with respect.
For the grown-up reading along
James rebukes favoritism toward wealthy visitors in the Christian assembly. Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is inconsistent with treating people as more or less worthy according to social standing.
Read the KJV passage aloud. Explain unfamiliar words in ordinary language without changing the quotation.
Read further: James 2 in the King James Bible.