Sharp Dressed Men

My brothers and sisters, show no partiality as you adhere to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ. For if a man with gold rings and fine clothes comes into your assembly, and a poor person in shabby clothes also comes in, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say, “Sit here, please,” while you say to the poor one, “Stand there,” or “Sit at my feet,” have you not made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil designs?

This second reading from James likely makes most of us a bit ashamed.   After all, those in finery capture our attention and more than a few of us wear those rings and fine clothes.   We’re a society fixated on how we look and whether others will admire our appearance. 

I’m reminded of ZZ Tops’ 1983 “Sharp-Dressed Man” with these lyrics:

“Clean shirt, new shoes
And I don't know where I am goin' to
Silk suit, black tie,
I don't need a reason why
They come runnin' just as fast as they can
'Cause every girl crazy 'bout a sharp dressed man
Gold watch, diamond ring,
I ain't missin' not a single thing
Cufflinks, stick pin,
When I step out I'm gonna do you in
They come runnin' just as fast as they can
'Cause every girl crazy 'bout a sharp dressed man.

Gosh, no wonder we men wear those rings and fine clothes.   Please forgive us Jesus, but there are times when we men are focused on those crazy girls, and not on those in shabby clothes.

Fortunately, not all the time.

Deacon David Pierce