Genre Defined - James 2 bears some of the marks of its own period (rank revealed by rings, the symbolism of placement), its stark simplicity transcends cultural particularity and locates a pattern attested among virtually all groups. It speaks directly, therefore, to all forms of discrimination on the basis of appearance practiced within communities . . . In contemporary American, the "appearances" of race and gender are instantly recognizable, for they have, through titanic struggles, finally been brought to general consciousness. When the poor cannot find a place in a Christian church, that church no longer has any connection to Jesus. [1]

Who Are the Poor?- The poor are those who have little money and those whose simple values are despised by an affluent society like ours. Perhaps these "poor" people prefer serving rather than managing, human relationships rather than financial security, peace rather than power . . .The poor are usually more aware of the powerlessness . . . for the poor bitterness can often bar the way. [2]

Three Bucks Worth - I would like to buy $3.00 worth of God, please. Not enough to explode my soul or disturb my sleep, but just enough to equal a cup of warm milk or a snooze in the sunshine. I don’t want enough of God to make me love a black man or pick beets with a Mexican migrant worker . . . I want a pound of the Eternal in a paper sack. I would like to buy $3.00 worth of God, please. [3]

How closely does our congregation reflect the socioeconomic and racial neighborhood in which we gather?

In our church, people may not be ushered to good or bad seats, but in what other ways might we be favoring the rich or discriminating against the poor? In what ways do we consciously or unconsciously favor some people over others in our church? Why?

How can our ministry reach out to all people without any hint of discrimination? What can we do to be completely free from being impressed by the wealth or power of others?

Please see the homily for this Sunday which is based on this passage.

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[1] The New Interpreter’s Bible XII (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1998), p. 195.
[2] Life Application Bible Commentary: James (Tyndale, 1992), page 48.
[3] I don’t remember where I first heard/read this paragraph—but I think it speaks to our comfort zone that keeps us from confronting our own bigotry and racism.