Favoritism vs. God’s Standard: Treating All People with Dignity

Imagine walking into a church service and seeing two visitors—one wearing designer clothes and looking successful, the other dressed in worn-out clothes and appearing to struggle financially. How would people respond? Who would be greeted warmly, and who might be ignored? James 2:1-7 reminds us to treat all people with dignity.

James addresses this exact issue—favoritism—and reminds us that God’s standard of worth is not based on appearance, status, or wealth but on His love for all people. As we continue our Faith in Action – Walking Through James journey, today’s passage challenges us to treat everyone with equal dignity, just as Christ does.

“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? But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called?” —James 2:1-7 (ESV)

God calls us to treat every person with dignity and love, regardless of their status.

James makes a strong statement against favoritism in the church. It’s a natural tendency to gravitate toward people who seem successful, wealthy, or influential, often subconsciously valuing them more than others. But James warns that this attitude is not only wrong—it’s sinful.

Favoritism contradicts the heart of the Gospel in three key ways:

1. Favoritism Opposes God’s Character

God does not show favoritism, and neither should we. The Bible repeatedly emphasizes that God is impartial:

• “For God shows no partiality.” (Romans 2:11)
• “The Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

Jesus Himself spent time with people that society rejected—the poor, the sick, the outcasts, and sinners. If we claim to follow Christ, our treatment of others must reflect His heart of inclusivity and love.

2. Favoritism Makes Us Judges with Evil Motives

James states that when we favor the wealthy and disregard the poor, we make distinctions based on worldly standards and act as unjust judges. This kind of thinking is dangerous because:

• It values people based on external appearance rather than their intrinsic worth.
• It elevates social status over spiritual reality.
• It assumes wealth is a sign of God’s favor, which is not always true.

True worth is not measured by money, influence, or status—it is measured by our relationship with Christ. When we show favoritism, we align ourselves with the world’s corrupt system instead of God’s kingdom.

3. Favoritism Dishonors the Poor, Whom God Honors

James reminds us that God has chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith. This doesn’t mean that being poor is automatically a spiritual advantage but that those who lack material wealth often depend on God more fully.

Scripture repeatedly affirms God’s concern for the poor:

• “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3)
• “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will repay him for his deed.” (Proverbs 19:17)

Jesus spent much of His time among the broken, the outcasts, and the overlooked. Shouldn’t we do the same? When we ignore, dismiss, or mistreat people because they don’t fit our standard of success, we dishonor those whom God calls heirs of the kingdom.

The Call to See Others Through God’s Eyes

We naturally judge by what we see, but God calls us to look deeper.

• Instead of asking, “What can this person do for me?” we should ask, “How can I love and serve them?”
• Instead of gravitating toward those who seem successful, we should seek out those who are often overlooked.
• Instead of judging by outward appearances, we should recognize the inherent value God has placed on every individual.

When we live by God’s standard, we reflect Christ’s love for all people, regardless of their background.

Action Step:

• Examine your heart. Are there times when you’ve shown favoritism—perhaps unintentionally? Ask God to help you see people as He does.
• Show kindness to someone who is often overlooked. This could be a coworker, a neighbor, or a church member who doesn’t always get noticed.
• Pray for a heart that loves like Christ. Ask God to remove any biases and help you treat every person with equal dignity.

“Prejudice is a burden that confuses the past, threatens the future, and renders the present inaccessible.” —Maya Angelou

Have you ever been treated differently because of your status or appearance? Or have you witnessed favoritism in unexpected places? Share your thoughts in the comments!

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Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me without favoritism. Help me to see people the way You do—not based on status or appearance, but with the love of Christ. Give me a heart that treats all people with kindness and dignity, and may my actions reflect Your standard, not the world’s. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Chad 

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