Among the greatest tragedies of this decade is this: our unwillingness to differentiate those who make $39k from those who make $390k.
Drew Downs
Make a New Normal
The missing class
5 responses
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Those who differentiate between those who are rich and poor and/or those who make more from those who make less – especially professed Christians – are what the Bible refers to as “Respecter of Persons” which is condemned. James 2: 1-10
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Hi David,
Thanks for the comment! I am also reminded of Galatians 3, in which Paul seems to be speaking to what we would call labels: Jew and Greek; male and female; etc. Of course, in that text from James, the problem is a preference in the worship community for the rich, while ignoring the poor. In Western Christianity we’re pretty stuck with a need to preach prophetically and pastorally to all people.
I’m also reminded of Jesus’s regular differentiating between the insiders and outsiders; and how He would treat them differently. Insiders were expected to know better and were often chastised, while outsiders were often treated generously.
Perhaps what we learn from these three is less about how generosity and love is needed equally. The poor and the working class are in a much different boat than the upper middle class and we ought to minister to them as if their boats are different. But they ought to both be treated as if they are in boats and are of need. That is closer to my intention: that someone making a working class wage is in a much different spot than one who (until recently) would have been considered very wealthy.
Your comment has really gotten me thinking. Thanks!
Drew-
What mostly impresses me about the Ministry of Christ was how He was born in a manger, as a child He lived as a normal person and sought out the poor and downtrodden when He began preaching and healing who flocked to him – but it was the rich who sought Him out and not the other way around.
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Reblogged this on Autumn Leaves and commented:
Those who differentiate between those who are rich and poor and/or those who make more from those who make less – especially professed Christians – are what the Bible refers to as “Respecter of Persons” which is condemned. James 2: 1-10
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