Is Snobbery a Sin?

Snobbery. We are surrounded by it. The forms of snobbery we admit to, and face it, are proud of, are countless: beer, coffee, food, shoes, clothes, nails, the list goes on and on. We are even education snobs. We tout our preferred method of schooling, and talk about whether upper education as a badge. And we are okay with it. We even brag about it. The questions is-is it okay? Are there any forms of snobbery that equate to sin? I know, I know. Most people who claim to be snobs are just kidding, sort of. Should we really read that much into it? The short answer is “yes”. As Christians, snobbery can often be a hindrance to our witness.

Let me give you some context. I am an English teacher. I am constantly teaching and correcting grammar in my student’s writing. While many people would understand if I were a grammar snob, I am most definitely not. I refuse to correct the grammar of my students when they are talking in class, for any reason. Why? Isn’t that my job? I say, “No”. My job is many things: to teach reading, writing, grammar, etc . . ., but a big part of my job requires earning my students’ trust. If I want my students to learn from me, they need to feel safe enough to try new things, something they must do to build new skills. If they feel like I will correct everything they say, they will not feel safe enough to try new things, ask questions if they don’t understand, etc . . . They must feel free to speak freely, without judgement. So, for me, grammar snobbery is not an option.

Much of the time, snobbery is innocent and harmless, but as believers, we need to be willing to slowly give up our snobbery when our witness requires it. So, we can probably continue as we have been, but, hopefully, we are seeking to meet new people, Christian and otherwise, that are outside of our usual circles. As we do this, we may need to lose our “preferences” for the sake of the gospel. Can I eat at that restaurant, drink that coffee, go to that part of town, accept that person’s appearance, etc . . . ? Or am I too stuck in my comfort zone to become “uncomfortable” for the sake of another soul. As Paul states, “ Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. . .    To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.  I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings” (1 Corinthians 19, 22-23). So, where do we start? We need to strip away anything that gets in the way of people’s souls-God’s main concern. What is your area of snobbery? It is often harmless to be a snob as long as we are ready to relinquish our snobbery the minute it stands in the way of our ability to reach out to another soul.