The Haves And Have-nots

• Can you tell if people are rich, powerful or popular just by looking at them? If so, how?

• In what ways are rich, powerful or popular people treated differently from other people?

“Do not show partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be afraid of anyone, for judgment belongs to God. Bring me any case too hard for you, and I will hear it.”
Deuteronomy 1:17

Sometimes people are divided into two categories: the “haves” and the “have-nots.” The haves are usually the ones who are on top in our culture. They have money, power, respect and popularity.

The have-nots … have not. They aren’t wealthy or powerful. They’re often overlooked and ignored. Through no fault of their own, they’re treated differently from the haves. It’s not fair, but it’s the way things are in our society.

If we’re not careful, we may contribute to the unfairness. We may be tempted to make up our minds about haves and have-nots based on the way other people treat them. We may buy into the lie that people who have money and popularity deserve respect and power. We may be fooled into believing that have-nots deserve less respect and power.

That’s not how God sees things. God looks at individuals. He judges them based on their actions, not their status. A person’s money, popularity and respect mean nothing to him. He focuses on what’s important: the person’s heart. We should follow his example. We may not be able to see inside people’s hearts, but we can listen to the things they say and watch the way they treat others. We can make our judgments based on things that really matter.

PRAYER
Dear God, thank you for setting the example for us in the way we treat people. Show us how to look past wealth and popularity when we deal with others. Amen.