This bothered me

I was driving to church today, and I passed another denomination's assembly. In front of the church, parked on the sidewalk, was a very new, shiny, mercedes s550. The car's vanity place was [redacted], which indicates that it was likely owned by one of the church's hierarchy. Now, I am not of the opinion that christians must avoid any show of wealth. I don't mind that a minister owns a nice car, or even that he owns a very nice car. I think that if a person is paid a salary by their church, that money belongs to them, and they are free to do with it as they see fit. Yet, there was something about this display that bothered me.

I took a few minutes when we got to church, to reflect on what got under my skin here. To review, the elements of the scene, we have a new, expensive car. A vanity plate denoting the car as owned by a church leader. The car parked in front of the church, on the sidewalk.

James has something to say about this situation. James says, "But if you show favoritism, you sin, and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers" James 2:9. This excerpt is taken from a passage where James is talking about showing favoritism to the rich. Jesus has a model for church leadership which flies in the face of honoring church leaders in the way we honor worldly leaders. Jesus says, "Sitting down, Jesus called the twelve, and said, 'If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.'" Mark 9:35. Jesus himself showed this servant leader model when he washed the disciples feet after the last supper.

The problem with the mercedes was that it was parked on the sidewalk. I presume that the churchgoers had directed it to be parked there as a sign of respect for its driver. I presume that they did so, intending to spare him from finding a parking space, from having people park near, and possibly scratch his car. I presume that the car's owner accepted this honor, thinking that he was worthy of it. I wonder whether he did so, intending to make a fast getaway if things went badly in the church. But I'm bothered by the idea that a church leader should have a special privilege not accorded to the other church members. I'm bothered, thinking that perhaps there are handicapped members of this congregation, that there are people who could benefit from being able to use this section of sidewalk. I'm also bothered because, while I think that this person can use his money however he sees fit, it seems unseemly to ask people for donations while you drive such an ostentatious car. In addition, my wife Lyzz pointed out that this doesn't represent a commitment to storing up one's treasures in heaven. Anyway, it bothered me.