Don't Judge Others By What They Own

TITLE: Just Different (Cont'd.)
SCRIPTURE: James 2:1-9
AUDIO: listen here
THE STORY FOR TODAY:
"I saw that new boy-Lon-come out sledding today," announced Beth one evening, "but Jerry and his friends were mean to him, Dad." Jerry scowled at his sister.
"Is that true?" asked Dad, looking at Jerry.
"We weren't that bad," growled Jerry. "But they must be poor or something. Lon was using the cover of a plastic garbage can to slide on!"
"You could have shared your sled," said Beth.
Jerry glared at her. "I didn't see you share," he muttered. "Besides, just wait till his sister comes out and wants to play with you! He has a sister, you know."
"I know that," said Beth. She frowned. "I think you're right. I think they are poor. Lon's sister wears such old-fashioned clothes!"
"I think you're both forgetting something," said Dad. "Just yesterday we talked about how balls used in various sports are all different, but that doesn't make one better than another, remember? It's the same with people, right?"
"Well . . . I guess so," said Beth uncertainly.
Dad continued. "You know, some sports balls have inexpensive covers . . ."
"Yeah, Beth, like your cheap, fuzzy, tennis balls," interrupted Jerry.
"As I started to say," said Dad, "the cost of the covering is not the important thing. It's not what gives the item value. It doesn't matter if it's a cheap covering or an expensive one. And neither does a person's 'covering,' or wealth, determine his or her value." Dad looked straight at Jerry. You have a sled, but Karl, who lives down the street, has a snowmobile. Does that make him better than you?"
Jerry blushed and shook his head. "No," he said.
"And," continued Dad, now looking at Beth, "some people buy rings at the discount store, and others own expensive ones. Are people with cheaper rings less valuable than the others?"
Beth looked at the cheap ring on her hand. "Okay," she said. "I get the point."
Jerry nodded. "Me, too," he agreed. After a moment, he added. "Actually, it was pretty clever of Lon to use that can cover. It worked really good. Maybe I'll try ours!"
MEMORY VERSE: The rich and the poor have this in common, the Lord is the maker of them all. Proverbs 22:2
HOW ABOUT YOU? Do you judge people by the material things they have? God doesn't. In fact, He's very specific about the importance of treating all alike. He looks at a person's heart, not at what kind of clothes he wears or what things he owns. Beautiful clothes, expensive toys, wealthy parents, and nice homes are not what really matter. In the Bible, judging others according to such things is called "showing partiality," and God says you are not to do that.
THE KEY: Don't judge others by what they own