A danger with money is how it can divide us—as a society and certainly as parts of Christ’s body. Back in my "Jones Mania" days, I used to judge people who’d never make a first move toward anyone unless they were quite sure that the person was in a comparable financial bracket.

But when you’re equally as guilty of these status-conscious hang-ups as I was, it’s easy to spot those of similar character. I was doing exactly what Jesus questions of us in Matthew 7:3—Why do you notice the splinter in your brother's eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye?

You spot it, you got it.

Those who embrace others based on the size of their investment portfolios or what’s in their driveways need to heed Paul’s message in Romans 12:16 about mutual love— Have the same regard for one another. Do not be haughty. Associate with the lowly.

And in Philippians 2:2—Be of the same mind, with the same love, united in heart, humbly regarding others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not just for his own interests but also those of others.

The beauty with people of smaller means is that what you see is what you get. Their whole essence is usually displayed right across their foreheads because they have no power, position or wealth with which to cover it.

The late Wally Armbruster, in his brilliant book, Where Have All the Salesmen Gone, (Piraeus Press) laid it right on the line by saying, "You will never be a great salesman unless you are awed, bewildered, fascinated and thrilled by the miracle of people."

And I’ll add, that you will never be a great human being without that same sense of wonderment.