Favorites
One of my primary responsibilities is fundraising. Perhaps the following thought reveals some kind of personality disorder, but I’ll risk your side-eye and share it anyways.
I have really enjoyed fundraising.
It is rewarding to build relationships with people who share your values and want to see the Kingdom advance. As I traveled for the capital campaign, I even felt hints of guilt for how much those relationships taught me.
Recently a verse in James captured my attention, “If, however, you show favoritism (to the wealthy), you commit sin.” (James 2:9 CSB) Upon more reflection, I was reminded of the litany of scripture that reveals God’s concern for the poor. He appears to have a deep reservoir of anger stored for those who mistreat, malign, or even ignore people with few material resources.
This biblical reality creates tension. My work often puts me in touch with people who… are not poor. So what is one to do?
James tells us that that the opposite of favoritism is the royal law prescribed in scripture, “love your neighbor as yourself.” (James 2:8 CSB). The truth is that my work also puts me in touch with students who have few resources, staff and faculty who serve sacrificially, and neighbors seeking affordable housing in one of RBC’s apartments.
The question for me is this, “do I love and treat fairly those who are not rich in this present age?”
May God give each of us open hearts to people from every socioeconomic group because they are all people in need of His love.
