My dear friends, don't let public opinion influence how you live out our glorious, Christ-originated faith. James 2:1 The Message
This is something that we all struggle with. Here in Kenya the rich are given preference and prominence in the Christian meetings. When the well dressed walk in they are ushered to the best seats, or when a white man walks in he is put in the front. The ushers will then serve him tea and do everything in their power to make sure he is comfortable. Of course, this is the exact opposite of what scriptures seem to say. Too often we as a group of believers are overly concerned with public opinion, especially when it deals with the rich and famous.
Even in my own life I struggle with public opinion. I fight myself all the time over this blog. I know that God wants me to be me and write what I feel, but I get worried sometimes about what you will think. I especially seem to worry about what our donors will think. What if they have different feelings on the Bible? or evangelism? or anything? God's Spirit has to constantly remind me to be myself, and not to worry about public opinion.
Jesus is the beginning of my faith, not anyone else. His opinion is the one that counts.