Today’s reading:
My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favouritism. Suppose someone comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor person in filthy old clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the one wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the one who is poor, “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 dear brothers and sisters: 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 promised those who love him? But you have dishonoured 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 blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong? (TNIV)
Missional Faith 
SCRIPTURE
OBSERVE: The issues in the early church are no different than in our world today. People who have wealth, fame or influence have a privileged place in culture. And it is hard not reflect that thinking in our own relationships. It is easy to blame the poor for their own problems: “If only they worked harder, or didn’t get addicted or made the right choices.” The phrase that stands out for me is “rich in faith.” That is the heart of this passage.
APPLY: It is humbling to be reminded that God could care less about outward success or what others think of me. In fact, He delights in taking those who have no wealth or standing and elevating them to a special place in His Kingdom.
I am also challenged to remind myself that I am in the category of “rich” compared to 98 percent of the rest of the world. What do I do, even unintentionally, to exploit others? How am I callous toward those who have less/nothing? When I look at my blessings, do I tend to compare myself to those who have more than me, or am I willing to see myself as someone who has way more than enough? And is my heart open to those who have less or are struggling? What does it look like to show in my life that I belong to an unbelievably generous God?
PRAY: The prayer that I want to rest in today is: God, help me to hunger more deeply to become rich in faith. May that be more important than anything I have or want.
To show favor to one is to discriminate against another.
Reach out to those in need regardless of their standing in life and help them find their way “home”.