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My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favouritism. 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? James 2:1-4

How does James’ directive on the sin of partiality connect with our Bold Faith initiative?

During our recent sermon series on James, we have been reminded of Jesus’ brother’s straightforward admonitions in a number of areas of our lives.

As a part of the Bold Faith team, it was a great reminder of the Biblical way to encourage generous giving or more precisely of how not to motivate generosity. While our Bold Faith initiative starts with generous giving of prayer time and focus, this passage is most connected in the giving of financial resources or more correctly returning to the Lord a portion of the resources—time, talent and treasure that He has entrusted us to steward.  

The lesson provided is that the Lord will reward according to His understanding of our hearts. So we do not need to use recognition programmes rewarding worldly values: Gold or Silver achievement levels; special clubs—“the pastor’s mega givers;” naming rights for rooms or halls or even listing those who have or are giving.

Our reward is not here on earth! It is so different from the secular fundraising that we are used to seeing and participating in.

Let us forbid favouritism by:

• Thanking God for being your source of protection, guidance and providence always and abundantly.
• Asking God to invade you and use you and Island ECC to bring new souls to Jesus.