2. Suppose someone comes into your church meeting wearing very nice clothes and a gold ring. At the same time a poor man comes in wearing old, dirty clothes.
3. You show special attention to the one wearing nice clothes. You say, “Please, sit here in this good seat.” But you say to the poor man, “Stand over there,” or “Sit on the floor by my feet!”
4. What are you doing? You are making some people more important than others. With evil thoughts you are deciding which person is better.
5. Listen, my dear brothers! God chose the poor in the world to be rich with faith. He chose them to receive the kingdom God promised to people who love him.
6. But you show no respect to the poor man. And you know that it is the rich who are always trying to control your lives. And they are the ones who take you to court.