One celebrity evangelist of global fame visited a city. He gave private appointments to few rich people who liberally donate to support his lavish lifestyle. Those rich people came in their BMW to the guest house, met him, gave offerings, prayed, took selfie, and left. One poor old widow came to know about the visit of the evangelist. She had been a prayer partner, and sent a small donation every month. It was her opportunity to see her hero/idol face-to-face. With great expectation she reached the guest room. There were private security guards at the gate, who did not let her in. One guard took pity on her and called the secretary if this woman could be allowed in. The secretary of evangelist firmly refused stating the criteria: Prior appointment was needed, and minimum donation should be promised. According to these two, she was not eligible. She waited to have a glimpse when the famed ‘man of God’ gets into the car to go to airport. Surrounded by ‘black cats’ she was not even able to have a fleeting glimpse. Disappointed she came back home weeping bitterly. Lord convicted her to realize, it is not men whom she should look up to, the God of Heaven seated on the throne, from where help comes. (Psalms 121:1) Lord convicted her about esteeming one servant of God over others. She stopped being a ‘fan’ of a celebrity and started being disciple of Lord Jesus Christ.
Lord Jesus Christ gave mid-night appointment to Nicodemus, went to meet a Samaritan woman midday walking in hot sun, and dinner appointment to Zacchaeus. (John 3; 4; Luke 19:1-10) He raised widow’s son who was dead in Nain. (Luke 7:11-17)
“Unequal weights and unequal measures are both alike an abomination to the Lord.” (Proverbs 20:10) Treating rich, elite, powerful and donors with great respect and privileges; while ignoring, intimidating and humiliating poor prayer partners is ‘unequal weights and measure’ that are abomination to the Lord. James also rebukes those who follow this double-standard. (James 2:1-7)
Do I esteem some and illtreat others?