Dear Mike,

Truely, we are in the church at all times, but what I think you mean is at a place of fellowship. Let's look at them one at a time.

#1: The front pew in many fellowships. In some fellowships, those who sit in the front pews as usually families who have been there a long time. It's almost like squatter's rights. There is a perception of rank or importance. In some other fellowships, it's thought of as a mark of vanity. Only people who have never been there sit in the front seats, because the perception is the front seats are for Pharisees.

Mat 21:12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,

Mar 11:15 And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves;

There were those who sold approved doves well situated at the temple. They made money by working with corrupt priests rejecting doves brought as offerings. They would provide overpriced doves as a way to profit form God's flock. Jesus didn't think well of them. He threw down their tables. Those who commercialize God will be upset when Jesus comes. Judgement will fall upon those who seek to profit at the expense of God's people.

Mat 23:6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,

Mar 12:39 And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts:

The upper rooms were status symbols. Are those who contribute the most money the ones with the highest status at your fellowship?

Luk 1:52 He hath put down the mighty from [their] seats, and exalted them of low degree.

God puts down those who exhalt themselves.

Luk 11:43 Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets.

Woe to those who love getting public recognition, the praise of men instead of the praise of God.

Luk 20:46 Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts;

Status, position, social rank, and prestige are things we are not to covet.

Jam 2:6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?

Those who have the positions and wealth look down on the poor. Rich men typically oppress. The Bible says that those who rule over men must be just. Position comes with responsibility.


POSITIONS IN HEAVEN

Rev 4:4 And round about the throne [were] four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

Rev 11:16 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,

There is speculation who these elders are. It could be a faithful servant who was a maid. She may have worked hard all her life to serve. Her back may filled with pain. She might have had so few worldly resources, she felt the need to pray to accomplish God's purposes. It may be someone who the world thought of as a lowly servant of no reputation, importance or position. With the simplicity of working with her hands, her mind could dwell on God.

Mar 10:44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.

God looks for those willing to serve, but not according to your own abiliities, but instead using his gifts. Those looking for position in the kingdom of God must be willing to serve, not seeking the highest position in this world.