Church Sign

Along the IH610 in Houston, there's a Baptist church with this sign:

Anyone who does not increase you will decrease you

Ummmmmm... NO!

Anyone who buys into that sign hasn't read the same Gospels I have. Every time you turned around, Jesus was hanging out with people who would "decrease you". Tax collectors, prostitutes, all kinds of 'unclean' people. Not only that, but he ATE with them! Big no-no if you were a first-century Jew. Is the sign saying that Jesus was decreased by hanging out with these people?

It seems to me that whether someone is 'increased' or 'decreased' by being around people with negative reputations is more a matter of one's behavior in relation to them. Is it not equally possible that if one hangs around people with questionable reputations that they might be increased?

That's certainly what Jesus did. Zaccheus, one of those despicable tax collectors that Jesus hung around with, was restored to community and a societal breach was healed. Matthew, another tax collector, became a disciple. Jesus healed lepers, people who were so stigmatized that they had to shout, "Leper! Leper!" as they walked the streets.

The religious authorities of the day certainly would have viewed Jesus as 'decreased'. I'm not sure the author of the sign would appreciate being associated with them. However, that was my reaction. Which would you prefer to go to - a church where all of us sinners can come together to help each other become better people or one where only those who are already perfect are welcome?

Since I'm nowhere close to perfect, you can guess which church I'd choose!