Bruton Smith or Chilly Willy?

This morning at our free store bible study we talked about a very interesting passage in James chapter 2 about showing favoritism to people based on external appearances. We often size people up based on what we see on the outside, whether it is beauty, fancy clothing, or other symbols of status and wealth. James challenged such judgments and questioned the motives behind them.

We talked about what it would be like if Bruton Smith (the owner of Lowe's Motor Speedway) walked into our meeting followed by Chilly Willy (the most famous homeless man in Charlotte). Why would we be tempted to treat Mr. Smith any better than Chilly? Would we want to give Mr. Smith the best seat in the free store (we laughed because none of the seats would have been nearly nice enough for Mr. Smith!). One of our friends suggested that Mr. Smith may not be nearly as nice and loving as a person as Chilly if you got to know them personally. You can't really see the most important part of a person from the outside!

We talked about how the poor can be rich in faith. And how in God's kingdom everybody would have a place and there would be no one left out in the cold or exposed to the elements. We also observed that those that have the most wealth and power can mistreat and exploit others. Such a kingdom has no future because it is based on violence and fear, but God's kingdom has no end because it is based on peace and love!

One of our new friends told us that he had recently come to Charlotte from New Jersey. He said that he had been homeless for two weeks now but that he was viewing it as a "pilgrimage" and that he was learning a great deal about himself and about his faith. He said that he noticed how some people treated him differently because of it but that he found much to be grateful for.

We decided that making judgments about people based on external appearances is not a very good way to live. The most important things about a person are internal and can't be seen from the outside. And we are all the children of God and have been created in the image of God so at the most basic level we are all equally valuable and important! And that is very good news for all of us.