IMPARTIALITY REQUIRED IN AFGHANISTAN
Humanitarian agencies working around the world sometimes struggle to ensure that the aid they deliver makes it into all the right hands. For example, in Afghanistan the Taliban has recently placed restrictions on food aid agencies (such as not allowing women to distribute the aid) that make it nearly impossible to assess whether or not the food is reaching the most vulnerable—women and children—with any degree of impartiality. Some agencies have halted their aid to the country because of the restrictions. The issue highlights the difficulty of balancing women’s rights with delivering aid.
IMPARTIALITY REQUIRED AT CHURCH
This week’s passage records James’ observation that people in churches were giving precedence to rich congregants and treating poor congregants disrespectfully. Though some among the rich were exploiting other Christians and dragging them into court, these were the ones being honored. He called believers to treat all people equally and to remember that God has chosen the poor to be rich in faith.
Questions
- What factors prevent vulnerable people from receiving aid, even when it’s offered?
- When and where have you seen good examples of impartiality at church?
- What explains the tendency to treat rich people favorably?
