James 2: 1-12: "My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good seat for you", but say to the poor man, "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet", have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my death brothers: has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promise those who love him? But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong? If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself", you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. For he who said, "Do not commit adultery", also said, "Do not murder". If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgement without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgement!"
If we are to be kind to the rich man, why not be kind to the poor man? Do not show favoritism. Not only is treating rich men well and not treating poor men well showing favoritism, but it also shows prejudice-ness. It is the royal law to "love your neighbor as yourself". If you do not follow this law, then you are a lawbreaker. (along with breaking any other law, such as committing adultery, murder, etc) It is like you are a criminal.
Mercy triumphs over judgement! It is so much better to show mercy and love to anyone and all than to show it to only certain people.For "God has chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promise those who love him".
