Have you ever heard of “The Social Register”? This is a book published annually in the United States since the 1880’s that lists upper-class, well connected, established families, those that “polite society” wishes to associate with. It is compiled for the wealthy, old-money, patrician families to know who to associate with, which families to allow their sons and daughters to see, which country clubs to join, who to invite to their parties, and so forth. If your family’s name was not in the Social Register, you were not worthy to be friends or associate with. Though it’s influence was much stronger in the past, it is still considered an important guide for many proud, elite, and exclusive upper-class society men and women. In our Scripture passage today from the Gospel of Luke, the Lord Jesus speaks to such thinking. Let’s look at what the Savior says here.
In every age there are those who want to see and be seen. When they go to any social function they want to be sure that they have the best seats (vs. 7). They want to be properly announced and acknowledged because they feel that they are “somebody”. When going into a restaurant they want the best table available, certainly one that is away from the riff-raff, the “common people”. Jesus said that this can easily lead to a humiliating fall. What if someone more important comes and then you are asked to give up your prized seat, and have to find a less desirable one? (vs. 8-9). How much better it is to have a humble attitude, and then be invited to take a better spot at a social gathering (vs. 11).
Many people, both in Jesus’ day and today are eager to raise their social status. They want to be with the “correct people”. They are sure to dress for success. Everything is done with the purpose of keeping up the aura of wealth and propriety, to be seen as a good member of high society, of that Social Register. True followers of the Lord Jesus, instead, should be looking for ways to serve, rather than aiming for prestige. Service is more important in God’s kingdom than status is.
Jesus continues on in His teaching, and speaks some admonitions and teachings that are in direct opposition to the whole thinking of the elite society of His day, and ours today. When someone is planning a big dinner party, and thinking up the guest list, who do they consider inviting? Of course, we think of our friends and/or business associates. And if we are wanting to make an impression on important people, or to get our name in the society columns of the paper, we try to get a big name business or political person, or some famous entertainer to come. Won’t that make us look good! However, will that impress God? Will that make us look good to Him?
Jesus says, instead, that one should invite the poor, the sick, the handicapped, basically the forgotten and overlooked people (vs. 12-13). This is not a prohibition of inviting your friends to fellowship with. However, when one does this, that cannot truly be classified as a spiritual act of true charity. Your friends can, and do, invite you back. I invite her, she invites me, then I invite her again, and it goes back and forth. Our grocery bills balance out, so there is no real charity being given. If I invite someone to a nice dinner, someone who really has no means of inviting me back again, that is an act of love and caring to the poor, and something that God notices and takes account of (vs. 14).
These acts of charity do not have to be limited to just dinner invites. It could be encouraging our child to invite home an underprivileged child for an afternoon of fun. Inviting a needier family on the block to join you, expense paid, at an activity your family is going to. Acts like this are examples of laying up treasure in heaven. Any deed we do for others without a selfish motive, but done in Jesus’ Name, will be rewarded in heaven.
Jesus teaches us to not be exclusive about who we invite, who we associate with. As we know, those of the world only want to be seen with those who make the social register, but that should not be the case with His followers. God’s invitation is for everyone. He doesn't call just those who are of a certain economic level, who live in the best neighborhoods, or carry the best names. We need to remember that “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18). Those who exalt themselves will be brought down.
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