I’ve been in the same office for several years. It is relatively small but I have grown to like it. Recently I did some rearranging and decided to accent it with a new chair. You are probably thinking that I went out to purchase a brand new chair, but I actually chose to “steal” a very used one from our high school ministry room. It all started a couple years ago when someone donated old furniture to our high school ministry which most interior designers would consider “nasty looking stuff.” Our students didn’t care…they just thought it was cool that our space was being spruced up with something other than tables and chairs. Of all the furniture which was given to us, there was one piece which caught my attention – an ugly, green recliner/chair possibly used in a 1970’s disco club or John Travolta’s living room.

I have been surprised at the reaction of most people when they discover this chair in my office... they enter my office, look inquisitively at the chair, and request to sit in it. Almost always, they respond by saying “this chair is REALLY comfortable” as if they are shocked. After this scenario has been repeated over and over, I have come to realize that most people (including me) determine value by outward appearances. I admit – the chair is ugly; however, I didn’t choose the chair based on its looks, but on its worth to me.

I believe James wrote about this issue of judging value simply based on outward appearance: “My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim that you have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people more than others? For instance, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in shabby clothes. If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, "You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor" – well, doesn't this discrimination show that you are guided by wrong motives?” (James 2:1-4)

People deserve more than a judgmental eye - they can get that anywhere.

By the way, what do you think of my chair?