The Case You Can’t Afford to Lose James 2:1-13

James 2:1-13 James 2: My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism. 2 For if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and there also comes in a poor man in dirty clothes, 3 and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing the fine clothes, and say, “You sit here in a good place,” and you say to the poor man, “You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool,”

4 have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil motives? 5 Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Is it not the rich who oppress you and personally drag you into court? 7 Do they not blaspheme the fair name by which you have been called?

8 If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, “Y OU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF,” you are doing well. 9 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all. 11 For He who said, “D O NOT COMMIT ADULTERY,” also said, “D O NOT COMMIT MURDER.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.

12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. 13 For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.

Bill Gates, $62.7billion Bill Gates, $62.7billion

Warren Buffett, $45 billion Warren Buffett, $45 billion

Larry Ellison, $ 49.7 billion

Wealth is not condemned-- ignoring the poor is!

Two Companion passages: Leviticus 19: 15 Leviticus 19: 15 Matthew 23:6 Matthew 23:6

Outline of the passage: James introduces a principle. 2:1 James illustrates the principle. 2:2-4 James explains the principle. 2:5-11 James applies the principle. 2:11-13

Lowest income counties in the United States by per capita income Number of counties by state in the 100 poorest counties: Texas, 17; Kentucky, 16; Mississippi, 14; South Dakota, 10; Louisiana, 5; Alabama, 4; Georgia, 4; Montana, 4; New Mexico, 4; North Dakota, 3; Arizona, 2; Idaho, 2; Nebraska, 2; Tennessee, 2; West Virginia, 2; Alaska, 1; Arkansas, 1; Colorado, 1; Florida, 1; Missouri, 1; Oklahoma, 1; South Carolina, 1; Utah, 1; Wisconsin, 1. Twenty-six states do not have any counties in the 100 poorest counties.

An estimated 1.4 billion people survive on incomes of $1.25 or less a day. 80 percent of the 20 poorest countries have suffered a major war in the past 15 years 80 percent of the 20 poorest countries have suffered a major war in the past 15 years The new poorest country in Africa is now Zimbabwe, with a GDP of $200 per capita. The new poorest country in Africa is now Zimbabwe, with a GDP of $200 per capita.

Seeing others from God’s perspective: When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, "Surely the LORD's anointed stands here before the LORD." But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (1 Sam 16:6-7 NIV) When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, "Surely the LORD's anointed stands here before the LORD." But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (1 Sam 16:6-7 NIV)

Consider: The sin of prejudice effects us all in some form or fashion. The sin of prejudice effects us all in some form or fashion. The first time you compared yourself to anyone you are showing prejudice. The first time you compared yourself to anyone you are showing prejudice. Repentance is the only answer to sin. Repentance is the only answer to sin.