Are you guilty of playing favorites? When you look at others do you judge by outside appearances? Isn’t this the very thing that you abhor? How then can you look at others through carnal eyes? Ask Me to put My salve on your eyes so that you can see clearly. For you should know by now that I do not judge by outside appearances, but by a person’s heart.
Although I do use the beautiful and prominent in society, I am most glorified through the weak and foolish things of this world, because there is absolutely no mistaking that it is Me working through them. Do you remember how people were amazed by the first disciples? Although they were uneducated men, the people recognized that these men had been with Jesus.
Therefore, beware of excluding others from your circle, for Jesus never excluded anyone. See each person as a gift to the body of Christ regardless of their looks or background. For I am sending many to you and I need you to pour My love into them. Accept them as I do. Encourage them along in their faith journey. Allow My healing to flow through you. Have a low opinion of your importance and spend more time lifting others up, for this brings Me great glory and honor and sets you apart from the world around you.
James 2:1-5 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
1 My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism. 2 For if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and there also comes in a poor man in dirty clothes, 3 and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing the fine clothes, and say, “You sit here in a good place,” and you say to the poor man, “You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool,” 4 have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil motives? 5 Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?
1 Samuel 16:5-13 The Message (MSG)
5 “Nothing’s wrong. I’ve come to sacrifice this heifer and lead you in the worship of God. Prepare yourselves, be consecrated, and join me in worship.” He made sure Jesse and his sons were also consecrated and called to worship.
6 When they arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, “Here he is! God’s anointed!”
7 But God told Samuel, “Looks aren’t everything. Don’t be impressed with his looks and stature. I’ve already eliminated him. God judges persons differently than humans do. Men and women look at the face; God looks into the heart.”
8 Jesse then called up Abinadab and presented him to Samuel. Samuel said, “This man isn’t God’s choice either.”
9 Next Jesse presented Shammah. Samuel said, “No, this man isn’t either.”
10 Jesse presented his seven sons to Samuel. Samuel was blunt with Jesse, “God hasn’t chosen any of these.”
11 Then he asked Jesse, “Is this it? Are there no more sons?”
“Well, yes, there’s the runt. But he’s out tending the sheep.”
Samuel ordered Jesse, “Go get him. We’re not moving from this spot until he’s here.”
12 Jesse sent for him. He was brought in, the very picture of health—bright-eyed, good-looking.
God said, “Up on your feet! Anoint him! This is the one.”
13 Samuel took his flask of oil and anointed him, with his brothers standing around watching. The Spirit of God entered David like a rush of wind, God vitally empowering him for the rest of his life.
Samuel left and went home to Ramah.