a more handsome and talented hus band, or a more beautiful and gra cious wife. Satan so often tempts us to think that the grass may be green er elsewhere. We have respect to others. The Lord God has said, “Thou shalt not covet.” Here in our Scrip tural illustration this man saw an individual who was obviously impor tant and impressive and so gave him preference over another. He was not a nearsighted or farsighted usher, but, certainly in the sight of God's Word, he was a “shortsighted” ush er. The problem is that we’re all human. Because of the sinfulness of the flesh, we so often fall into the devilish trap of envying one another. Dr. Vance Havner points out that when a Christian is sad, you can usually conclude that the reason is one of two things: either because some great evil has befallen him, or else some great good has come to another. It is very true that we just don’t like to have troubles come. At the same time, it’s hard when some one of our equals to get ahead of us, enjoying more success and money than we have. It is tragic that James under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit should have to speak out in such a fashion to Christians, for they are the ones to whom he’s writing. The problem is that we don’t take this matter as seriously as we. should. The Christian who keeps busy help ing someone else, perhaps the fellow below him, will never have to worry about time spent on envying the man above him on the social ladder. Look at the picture: this “short sighted” usher tells the rich man to sit and the poor man to stand. In the days of the early Christian church, there were a few seats of honor up in front. Some of the rich people in later years even rented these seats so that they could be as sured of the honor that would go with it. As a matter of fact, in Mat thew 23:6, the Lord Jesus speaks against this practice which had been 18
a part of the tradition of the Jews. He called to task those Pharisees who loved the “uppermost rooms at the feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues.” These chairs or benches had their backs against the holy altar which was facing the people. This meant that everyone could see the Pharisees. In a number of formal churches today it’s required that peo ple stand. There were no seats in the synagogue, nor are there in the Greek Orthodox churches today. In such places as St. John’s Cathedral, all the chairs are movable so that they can bring in vast crowds with people standing. Only the few who are of excessive monetary means can sit up front. How kind that the poor man could have his choice! He was allowed to stand or he could sit. If he chose the latter however, it would have to be down on the floor or on a footstool, signifying a place of much lesser importance. There are many people who seem to derive pleasure by hav ing others wait upon them, or to think that there might be some peo ple beneath them socially. This is not the place, nor the time, nor do we have the interest in talking about the social issues of the day, along With the problems which are con fronting us here in America. There were years of slavery, which is never God’s plan. He doesn’t place a pre mium on some individuals and order them to have the privilege of others waiting on them. Favoritism is bas ically selfishness. It’s saying, “Some day I may need that man, so I’ll be kind and generous to him. Maybe he’ll pay me back and reward me for my thoughtfulness.” Verse four brings out the final To get to Heaven make the right turn and then keep going straight!
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