FAVORITISM
My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?
James 2:1-5 (ESV)
Do you treat people differently based on what they have or what they can do for you? We don’t often talk about it, but favoritism is like carbon monoxide—unseen on the outside yet poisonous, with deadly effects in the church. Favoritism—treating people differently based on appearance, status or advantage—reveals a heart drifting from the values of the kingdom of God.
James gives a clear and powerful example. When a wealthy person enters wearing fine clothes and receives special treatment, while a poor person is dismissed or dishonored, distorted values are exposed, and division is created in the body of Christ. Favoritism may appear subtle or socially acceptable, but Scripture names it as a serious spiritual issue.
At its core, favoritism fails to see people as God sees them. God does not measure worth by income, influence, appearance or success—He looks at the heart. David was overlooked because people looked outward, but God saw his heart. Throughout Scripture, God lifts the humble and cares for the poor, the outsider, and the overlooked. Faith—not status—matters in God’s kingdom.
Remember, none of us earned our place with God. We are welcomed by His blood and sacrifice, not by anything we have done. If God placed no conditions on you, how can you put conditions on others?
APPLICATION: This passage invites us to examine our hearts. Do we gravitate toward people who benefit us, while overlooking those who make us uncomfortable or offer nothing in return? James calls us to live our faith with integrity, letting God’s love reshape our instincts and priorities.
PRAYER: God, we invite You to search our hearts. Show us how we are treating others. Reveal how deeply You love the people around us, and give us Your heart for the world. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?