The Visitor without New Shoes
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.
At the church picnic, Emma saw a visitor sitting alone. His shoes were worn, and he seemed unsure about joining the games. Some children had already decided that he would not fit their team.
Emma invited him to take the next turn. He missed his first throw, just as several others had. Nobody needed to pretend he was the best player. He needed the same fair welcome they had given everyone else.
James rebukes favoritism in the church. People are not to receive better treatment because they look wealthy or important. Emma could not know the visitor's whole story from his shoes. She could know that he was a person made by God and worthy of kindness. A place in the game was a simple way to stop a thoughtless judgment from deciding the afternoon.
Bring the truth into your day
James describes unfair treatment based on outward signs of wealth. The warning reaches the way a group chooses whom to notice and honour. Do not reserve kindness for those who seem popular, talented, or able to help your reputation. Include the person who has nothing impressive to display. Fairness does not require pretending everyone has the same abilities. It requires refusing to make status the measure of a person's dignity.
Keep the passage in context
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 further: James 2 in the King James Bible.