The People Gift

We are not to show favoritism. You should not treat a regular person any differently than a famous person. We need to be accepting and friendly to everyone who walks in the doors of the church. We are called to love others as we love ourselves. Favoritism is about what a person can do for me, how they can improve my status. Favoritism is loving myself more than I love others. Another's gifting does not take away from my gifting. Life is a celebration, not a competition.

WHERE FAITH MEETS LIFE
The People Gift
Mark Johnson
Sunday, June 13, 2010
 
James 2:1–9
Watch out that you don’t show favoritism.
 
The sin nature has a tendency to see the rich, famous and powerful as ones we want to hang with.
 
The call is to raise all people to a place of importance.
 
The poor:
        A.  All do not have divine insight into God.
        B.  God has chosen some of them to have divine insight.
 
The rich:              
       C.  When justice isn’t blind, the rich and powerful have an             
             advantage.
        D.  We should love our neighbors as ourselves.
 
How do you see people?
How do you judge people?
How do you value people?
 
Favoritism is selfish.  Ultimately, it is trying to manipulate someone to get something out of them:  money, status, power, opportunities.
 
James 2:8-9
 
There is nothing wrong with wanting good things for ourselves.
 
That “want” has to be balanced by love for God and love for others, or it becomes selfish and sinful.
 
 
 
 
Favoritism is about “me.”  This person can give me what another person can’t.

Favoritism reveals my selfishness and shows that I am a lawbreaker.
 
Treat people the same with a “want” for their highest good.
 
Do I want the best for others?
 
Ultimately, favoritism is about me loving myself more than others.
 
We don’t get bigger by tearing others down; we get bigger by building others up.
 
Another person’s success does not diminish me.
 
Another person’s gifting does not take away from my gifting.
 
We are supposed to be gifts of God to each other.
 
Life is supposed to be a celebration not a competition.
 
We should offer encouragement, strength, value, and security to one another.
 
2 Corinthians 4:5

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