The Light

Favoritism in a family can leave lasting wounds, especially when a child feels overlooked, unwanted, or less valued than their siblings. Whether it happens through obvious comparisons or subtle differences in attention, playing favorites can damage relationships and shape how children see themselves for years to come. Scripture offers a clear warning: God does not show favoritism.

James 2:1 calls Christians to reject favoritism, reminding us that partiality has no place in a life devoted to Jesus. Parents can be tempted to favor one child because of personality, responsibility, or shared interests, but every child needs to know they are equally loved and valued. For those who have experienced the pain of favoritism, God’s love offers hope and a foundation for healing. And when we recognize that our own favoritism has hurt others, humility, apology, and a commitment to change can help begin the process of restoration.

Highlights

• Why favoritism can create lasting emotional wounds within families
• How playing favorites can affect both the favored child and overlooked siblings
• What James 2:1 teaches Christians about showing partiality
• Why God’s love provides hope for those who have felt overlooked or unwanted
• How parents can work toward showing each child equal love and value
• The importance of apologizing when favoritism has caused hurt
• Practical questions for recognizing favoritism and taking steps toward reconciliation

Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter.

Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword

Do you want to listen ad-free?

When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! 

Sign Up Today!

Full Transcript Below:

The Importance of Avoiding Favoritism
By Vivian Bricker

Bible Reading:
“My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism” (James 2:1). 

Favoritism occurred in my family as my dad’s favorite was the oldest child, and my mom’s favorite was the middle child. As the youngest of three, I was never chosen as the favorite. Instead, I was seen as the “extra” child. As one can imagine, this has caused me to have long-lasting problems, such as a negative self-view and low self-esteem. 

If you genuinely want to obey God, you must give up the practice of playing favorites. Favoritism only hurts your children and makes them second-guess themselves. 

Studies have shown that the oldest child tends to be the favorite, often because they are more like their parents or take on more responsibilities than younger siblings. It is time to change these statistics; there needs to be equal love for each child. Within the family of God, there is no room for favoritism.

Knowing our weakness and frailty as servants of the gospel, we long for our heavenly home and we learn to walk by faith. With this eternal perspective, we seek to use our time here below to please him, remembering that we will one day stand before him.

Learn what the gift of prophecy can look like in the life of a believer.

Donate: https://store.intouch.org/donate/general

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why did Jesus say to "work hard" or "strive" to enter through the narrow door? Why does Paul talk about "running a race" and trying to "win"? Does daily confession cause God to forgive us more?