First or Second Class?

Years ago, when I was single I went to Europe. My "Eur-rail Pass" gave me unlimited train rides for a week. During a ride through Germany I had my first experience of a class-minded society. My rail pass was for "first class" seating, there was no other choice. When I boarded the train I was directed to the "first class" car.

As I walked through the car to find a seat, some of the other occupants (all well-dressed) gave me a bit of a dirty look, probably because I was dressed in jeans and a parka and was carrying a yellow backpack. I learned something that day, but it was not a pleasant experience.

Not long ago I was part of a small group of folks who were talking. One man began to laud the fact that some folks from our church are in (or going into) "full time ministry." As he was saying this I was looking at the face of man who was sitting across the table and I read something sad in his face.

Although it was not the speaker's intention, what the man across the table was "hearing" was that he is a second class Christian- because the the first class Christians are those in "full time ministry." This was not only sad, but unfortunate, because I know that this fellow lives his faith to a greater extent than many.