How we treat the poor is a barometer of our faith in the Glorious Jesus Christ. That’s what James says in James 2:1 and then he sketches a scene before our eyes:

2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. 3 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,” 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

This scene is so clear and it makes me wonder how we do the same in our churches today. How do we show favortism to the rich (or well-heeled or attractive)? How do we show favortism against the poor (or unattractive)?

In that day, they gave the wealthy special seats and they made the poor to sit at their feet. (This reminds me of the Old North Church in Boston, where folks had their names on good box seats for church services.)