Podcasts about Favoritism

You are paying real money for travel ball, the coach's son gets the prime spot, and you are left wondering if the whole thing is rigged. Before you pull your son off the team, an MLB agent breaks down how to tell favoritism from a development gap.   What you'll learn How to tell real favoritism from a coach's son who simply does the little things well The one question to ask the coach about your son instead of "why isn't he playing" Why treating travel baseball as a tool changes what you do with a bad summer How to run a post-summer audit on what you actually paid for The deeper question underneath playing time: is your son developing, and is he enjoying it   In this episode Vince from Buffalo wrote in with a frustration almost every travel-ball parent has felt. He is paying good money for his 13-year-old's team, the coach's own kid gets the prime position and the at-bats, and it has him wondering whether the whole thing is rigged from the start.   Matt Hannaford, an MLB agent, does not dismiss the concern, and he does not feed it either. Favoritism exists in travel baseball. It is also true that the coach's son might be one of the better players, or might just do the little things well: running balls out, backing up bases, throwing strikes. So the honest first move is to get curious about where your son actually stands, not how he stacks up against one other kid.   From there Matt reframes the whole situation through the idea that has resonated most with these families: travel baseball is a tool. If you treat it like a tool, the question stops being "why is that coach playing his son over mine" and becomes "what were we trying to get out of this summer, and did we get it." That is the post-summer audit Matt walks through, including the trap of expecting your son to get recruited from three events, or blaming the program when a college coach passed.   He closes on the two questions that actually move a player forward: is your real concern the coach, or a fear that your son is not developing as fast as you hoped, and underneath even that, is your son enjoying the process at all. Because if he is not, Matt is blunt about the ceiling that puts on everything else.   Timestamps 0:00 - The favoritism question every travel-ball parent asks 1:23 - Does favoritism exist, and when is it something else 2:24 - The little things: why the coach's kid may be earning it 3:30 - Travel baseball as a tool: the post-summer audit 5:07 - The question to ask the coach about your son 10:21 - The real concern: development, and whether he's enjoying it   Send in your question Have a travel-ball or recruiting question you want answered on the show? Send it to matt@mostvaluableagent.com.    Links & resources More episodes for travel-ball parents: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5H4dTL0Gs4vlKfChWXK7jPepLxS2PYRr   #TravelBaseball #YouthBaseball #TravelBallParents #MVAPodcast  

Hour 3 - No favoritism in KC + No TV in the morning full 2907 Tue, 29 Sep 2026 18:16:33 +0000 O3cPvn5qH6Am0JYxmWszUud48QTda9bG nfl,kansas city chiefs,society & culture Cody & Gold nfl,kansas city chiefs,society & culture Hour 3 - No favoritism in KC + No TV in the morning Hosts Cody Tapp & Alex Gold team up for 96.5 The Fan Radio's midday show "Cody & Gold." Two born & raised Kansas Citians, Cody & Gold have been through all the highs and lows as a KC sports fan and they know the passion Kansas City has for their sports teams."Cody & Gold" will be a show focused on smart, sports conversation with the best voices from KC and around the country. It will also feature our listeners with your calls, texts & tweets as we want you to be a part of the show, not just a listener. Cody & Gold, weekdays 10a-2p on 96.5 The Fan.  2024 © 2021 Audacy, Inc. Society & Culture https://player.amperwavepodcasting.com?feed

How should a church act in a Godly way when someone new shows up?

What happens when our faith changes the way we see people? James challenges us to move beyond favoritism and learn to see others through the eyes of Jesus. Because real faith doesn't just change what we believe – it changes who we notice, how we treat people, and how we love our neighbors.

Have you ever walked into a church and known exactly where you stood before anyone said a word to you? Somebody else got the handshake, the follow-up text, the seat up front, and you got a smile that was about a second too short. If you've been through spiritual abuse or an unhealthy church, you already know this feeling. What you might not know is that the Bible has a name for it, and it isn't "awkward." James calls it the sin of partiality. We call it favoritism, or we don't call it anything at all. In James 2 he puts it in the same sentence as murder and adultery, and we think it's the engine that spiritual abuse runs on.In this episode, Alycia and Stewart White walk through James 2:1-13 and talk about the sin almost every church commits and almost no one confesses. We get into what the Greek word actually means (it's a courtroom word), why God says over and over that He shows no partiality, and what He says to shepherds who do. We also give you the one test to hold onto for the whole episode: the question isn't whether somebody got treated differently. The question is whether the rules changed because of who they were.We're talking to three people. The person who was on the wrong side of the handshake. The pastor who wants to get this right and was never taught it. And the leader who has done this and never once thought of it as sin. All three of you, stay.If you were treated as less because you had less to offer, that wasn't your imagination and it wasn't God.We love the church. We say it every episode and we mean it. That's the whole reason we're willing to say this out loud. God has something to say about who gets seen in His house, and we'd rather help you hear it now than watch it become someone's story later.SCRIPTURES REFERENCED James 2:1-13 | Luke 7:36-50 | Romans 13:7 | 1 Timothy 5:17-21 | Deuteronomy 10:17-18 | Job 34:19 | Acts 10:34 | Romans 2:11 | 1 Samuel 16:7 | Genesis 1:26-27 | Malachi 2:9 | Ezekiel 34:4, 16, 21 | John 10:11 | Mark 12:38-44 | 3 John 9-10 | Galatians 2:11-14 | Matthew 18:15-17 | Leviticus 19:15 | Isaiah 53:2 | 2 Corinthians 8:9 | Philippians 2:7 | Mark 12:14 | Romans 5:6-8 | Ephesians 2:8-9 | 1 John 1:9 | Galatians 5:22-23 | Ephesians 2:14If this episode named something you've lived, would you share it with someone who needs to hear that it wasn't just their imagination? That's how this show reaches the people it's for.About 96% of the people who watch haven't subscribed. If that's you, subscribing helps more than you'd think. It tells YouTube to put this in front of the next person sitting in church wondering if something is wrong.If you're a leader and this one hit you, write to us. info@shepherdsheartministries.org. We would rather walk through it with you than watch you become an episode.Shepherd's Heart is hosted by Stewart and Alycia White. We talk about spiritual abuse, church hurt, and biblical discernment, and we do it because we love the church.#SpiritualAbuse #ChurchHurt #James2 #UnhealthyChurch #ShepherdsHeartChapters:00:00 Not Your Imagination00:35 Two People Walk Into the Same Church02:39 James 2:1-4 Explained: Show No Partiality06:17 Do You See This Woman? (Luke 7:36-50)09:23 Why Favoritism Sits Next to Murder and Adultery (James 2:5-11)12:23 God Shows No Partiality (Deuteronomy 10:17, Job 34:19, Acts 10:34)13:46 Even a Prophet Did This (1 Samuel 16:7)16:18 The Sin Nobody Confesses (Favoritism in Church)17:41 "She's So Anointed"21:49 Partiality Is a Theology Problem, Not a Personality Flaw25:37 What God Says to Partial Shepherds (Malachi 2:9, Ezekiel 34)28:26 The Best Seats and the Widow's Two Coins (Mark 12:38-44)30:20 Paul Confronts Peter to His Face (Galatians 2:11-14)32:03 No Favorites When Accusations Come (1 Timothy 5:19-21)38:28 Partiality Is the Engine of Spiritual Abuse40:21 "We Know His Heart" Is Not Discernment41:24 Not Every No Was Partiality (Leviticus 19:15)43:57 What Actually Changes a Heart? The Lord of Glory47:42 Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment (James 2:12-13)50:52 A Word to the Three PeopleBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/shepherd-s-heart--4100466/support.

Chris Westbrook September 13th, 2026

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 FavoritismBy 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. The Apostle Paul tells us, “For God does not show favoritism” (Romans 2:11). Showing favoritism will hurt your other children, either directly or indirectly. Not to mention, it could make the favorite overconfident, selfish, and self-absorbed. There needs to be equality amongst children. If you continue to play favorites, it will push your children away from you. This has been true for me, as there was nothing I could do to get my parents to like me. I have gone through multiple years of therapy to help work through this issue. I have also sought out help from God. Through the help of the Lord, I have discovered that I am loved by Him. The Bible tells us we are God’s children and that we are dearly loved by Him (1 John 3:1). The journey has not been easy, but Jesus has helped me every step of the way. While it is true that I will always have this wound from my parents, I can move on to new beginnings in the Lord. It also helps me share my story with others to help prevent them from showing favoritism toward their own children. Intersecting Faith & Life: James 2:1 says, “My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.” This comes from the half-brother of the Lord. In no way does favoritism bring about the righteous life that God wants for us. It will only bring pain to our own lives and to the lives of others. Reach out to those you may have hurt with favoritism and tell them you want to talk. Apologize to them and ask if there is anything you can do to make things right. Acknowledge that you cannot change the past, but help them to know that you will no longer practice favoritism in the future. An apology and a promise to change for the future can go a long way toward healing someone's heart, whether they are in their childhood, teenage, or adult years. Let’s pray: Dear Jesus, I want to let go of the toxic trait of showing favoritism. I don't want to play favorites anymore, as I see all the pain it causes. Please help me to love everyone equally. Forgive me for my sin, and please help those I have hurt to forgive me. Thank You, Lord. Amen. When you are tempted to show favoritism, what can you do? Is there a person you need to reach out to today to apologize to and make things right with? If so, when will you reach out to them this week? Further Reading: Genesis 37:4 Deuteronomy 10:17 Acts 10:34 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Daily Dose of Hope September 14, 2026   Scripture: Genesis 26:34-35  & 27   Prayer: Holy God, We rejoice in your name today.  You are almighty and wise, the Alpha and the Omega.  You are the one who was, and is, and is to come.  We give you all the glory and praise.  Help us now, Lord, gather our scattered thoughts and focus on you.  In these next few moments of silence, hear our prayers...  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope daily Bible reading plan.  We are currently doing a deep dive into the book of Genesis.  Today's reading is the very end of Genesis 26 and the full chapter of Genesis 27.   It's easy to wonder why God chooses to bless some of the guys in Genesis.  Take Jacob, for instance.  He and his mom devise a plan to deceive Isaac, his dad.  Disguised as Esau, wearing his brother's clothes, and attaching animal skins to his arms and neck, Jacob offers his father a savory meal to replace the one that Esau was supposed to prepare for him.  Jacob then lies to his blind and dying father, saying, "I am Esau your firstborn.  I have done as you told me; now sit up and eat of my game, so that you may bless me."  Isaac at first seems to know that something is up; he says that the voice seems to belong to Jacob.  But he goes ahead and offers Jacob his blessing.    When Esau finds out what has happened, he is devastated.  He mentions another meaning of Jacob's name, deceiver.  He says something like, "Is he not rightly named Jacob?  For he has now deceived me two times.  He took away my birthright and now he has taken away my blessing."    Jacob seems to cross every line that presents itself.  There is no rule or relationship that is beyond him.  If he wants something, he will get it.  He doesn't mind messing up the line of inheritance and the chain of blessing.  He isn't worried about disrespecting his father or hurting his brother.  He appears to only be interested in himself.  The weirdest thing to me is that his mom is complicit in the whole thing.  Favoritism is always bad news.   But even though Jacob has tried to steal every advantage with mom helping him all the way, life doesn't turn out so well for him.  If he is seeking an advantage, it doesn't come.  As we are about to see in the next few chapters, Jacob will meet his match with his Uncle Laban who is also a deceiver.  And then his own sons will deceive him after they sell Jacob's youngest son and their brother into slavery.  Jacob ends up getting a taste of his own medicine big time.  For us as the readers, there is no satisfaction in any of it, only heartache.    But there is something we will learn from Jacob.  God is going to use him.  God is going to take this deceitful man who lies to his dad and openly tries to harm his brother, and form him into someone who will serve and work for God.  Jacob is going to have to go through the mill but he is going to meet God in some pretty incredible ways.  God can change and transform anyone.  We get to see that over and over again in Scripture.   The other thing that we will see is that the Bible doesn't sugarcoat people.  Scripture is very open about people's flaws and brokenness.  In many ways, this gives me a weird sense of encouragement.  God doesn't need perfect people.  In fact, his specialty seems to be broken, messed up people.  And if God can use all of these people, then he can also use you and me.  And while I don't want to be a deceiver like Jacob, I know I have my own flaws and sins.  And I love that God can still change me and use me.  In fact, I pray that he will.  Thank you, God, for being a God who is still in the business of transforming lives.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki        

Pastor Chris continues our teaching series entitled “James: Faith in Action.” In this seventh study of the series, “The Destructive Power of Favoritism,” we study in James 2:1-13, through which we receive a warning about exercising favoritism within the community of Jesus. We, instead, are to be full of mercy, joining Jesus in his way of rejecting power's corruption and moving towards others in compassion.

After our first two weeks of having introduced the topics James will cover in his letter, we'll turn our attention to a practice that is absolutely incompatible with faith in Jesus Christ. It's incredibly natural for us to act this way and it actually reveals our own self-interested hearts. It makes us judges with evil motives and just cannot fit with true faith. What is it? Join in as we learn about it and diagnose our own hearts!

What happens when the worst day of a family's life gets recorded in scripture and read for four thousand years? That's exactly what we find in Genesis 27, a chapter Pastor Rick Keller calls an ugly, honest window into complete family breakdown. Isaac plays favorites with Esau, Rebekah manipulates on behalf of Jacob, Jacob deceives his blind father to steal the blessing meant for his brother, and Esau descends from bitterness into murderous hatred — yet through it all, God's covenant promise marches forward exactly as He said it would back in Genesis 25, that "the older shall serve the younger." We watched Isaac try to short-circuit God's plan with a secret blessing ceremony, Rebekah coach Jacob through an elaborate goat-skin disguise, and poor Isaac's failing senses — sight, taste, smell, touch — all deceived while only his hearing caught the truth he chose to ignore. We traced how Esau's bitterness, born from trading his birthright for a bowl of beans, hardened into a hatred he could never undo, even with tears, because he never truly repented. And we saw the redemption thread running underneath it all: Isaac eventually blesses Jacob rightly, Esau lets go of his grudge decades later, and Jacob himself is transformed from "schemer" into "child of God" after wrestling with the Lord. The abiding question this story leaves us with is simple but piercing: when we're faced with the choice between the good and the greater good, are we listening to the voice of faith, or are we letting our other senses — our feelings, our fears, our impatience — drown out what God has already promised?## Sermon Notes### 1. Setting the Stage: A Family Already Fractured (Genesis 25:23; Genesis 26:34-35)- Chapter 26 ends: Esau's Hittite wives "made life bitter" for Isaac and Rebekah — one letter changes everything- Total communication breakdown: nobody talking to each other, nobody inquiring of the Lord- Background prophecy: God tells Rebekah while pregnant, "the older shall serve the younger" (Gen 25:23)- Esau ("hairy") and Jacob ("heel grabber"/schemer) named prophetically at birth- Birthright = firstborn's inheritance and headship; sold by Esau for a bowl of beans (Gen 25)- Favoritism named directly: Isaac loved Esau (a man's man, hunter, good cook); Rebekah loved Jacob (a homebody)- **We don't have to manipulate what God has already promised — it will happen whether we like it or not**- Cross-reference: Joseph's story — prophesied to rule over his brothers, tried to force it, God had to "burn the pride out" first- Personal illustration: called to pastoring at 12 years old, tried to make it happen, didn't become a pastor until 45 — "when God decides to promote, nobody can stop Him"- 1 Corinthians 3 — "neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything... only God who gives the growth"### 2. The Deception Unfolds (Genesis 27:1-29)- Isaac, thinking he's dying at 135 (lives 40 more years), tries to bless Esau privately instead of publicly as required by custom- Blessing was legally binding — once spoken, could not be rescinded- Rebekah overhears, coaches Jacob: goat meat disguise, Esau's clothes, goat skins on hands and neck- Jacob's concern isn't morality but getting caught — "is there a better plan?"- Rebekah: "let your curse be upon me, my son"- Isaac's senses all deceived except hearing: "the voice is Jacob's, but the hands are Esau's" — he ignores what he hears- **Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God — yet we prioritize feelings over what the Word says**- Blessing pronounced over Jacob: dew of heaven, fatness of earth, lordship over brothers### 3. The Aftermath: Bitterness Takes Root (Genesis 27:30-41)- Esau returns moments after Jacob leaves — dramatic, almost theatrical timing- Isaac "trembled very violently" — same Hebrew word used of Israel trembling at Mount Sinai — realizing God's plan prevailed through his own scheming- Romans 8:28 — even our failures work together for God's good and glory- Esau's "exceedingly great and bitter cry" — begs for a blessing but the legal blessing is already given- **Generations can pass on blessing, but they can also pass on bitterness**- Hebrews 12:15 — "no root of bitterness springs up and causes trouble" — illustration: bitterness is like a dandelion, impossible to remove without pulling up the root- Progression: favoritism → bitterness → hatred → plot to murder (Gen 27:41, first mention of "hate" in the Bible)- Cross-reference: Matthew 6:24 — same Greek concept, "no one can serve two masters... he will hate the one"### 4. Why Esau, Not Jacob? The Good vs. the Greater Good (Hebrews 12:16-17; Romans 9:10-13)- Hebrews 12:16-17 — Esau "found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears"- On the surface, Esau looks innocent — he only did what his father asked- Romans 9:10-13 — "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated" — spoken before either was born or had done anything- Illustration: dove (eternal/God's plan) vs. bowl of beans (temporal) — Esau held God's redemptive plan in his hand and traded it for a meal- **The question isn't good vs. bad — it's good vs. greater good** (examples given: food is good, but fasting for a greater purpose; sex in marriage is good, but perverted outside it becomes destructive)- Esau's heart had "no room for repentance" — sorry he got caught, not sorry for what he did### 5. Rebekah's Final Scheme and the Long Road to Redemption (Genesis 27:42–28:4)- Rebekah sends Jacob away under pretense of protecting him from Esau's fury — but her true stated motive is disgust over Hittite wives, not remorse over her own deception ("I loathe my life... because of the Hittite women")- She never sees Jacob again — he is gone 20 years- Isaac finally blesses Jacob properly and willingly in Genesis 28:3-4, aligning with God's plan instead of fighting it- Hebrews 11:20 — "by faith, Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau... concerning things to come"### 6. Reunion and Transformation (Genesis 32-33, referenced)- Twenty years later, Jacob still scheming — sends flocks, servants, wives ahead of him, hoping to exhaust Esau's "bloodlust" before reaching him- Esau instead has let go of the grudge: "I let all that go a long time ago... that yoke I grew restless and took it off"- Jacob wrestles with the Angel of the Lord (theophany), refuses to let go until blessed, is renamed from "schemer" to "child of God" — walks with a limp the rest of his life- **Even our sin and scheming can't stop God's redemptive plan — but repentance is what changes us**### Practical Applications1. **Examine areas of favoritism** — Reflect this week on whether you show favoritism in your own family and ask God to reveal any blind spots, as Isaac and Rebekah did with their sons.2. **Pull bitterness up by the root** — Identify one specific grudge or hurt you've been nursing and take a concrete step this week (a conversation, a written prayer of release) to deal with it at the root, not just the surface.3. **Choose the greater good over the good** — Name one "bowl of beans" decision in your life right now — a shortcut, a comfort, a compromise — and bring it to God this week, asking Him to help you release it for something eternal.5. **Practice true repentance, not just regret** — This week, instead of just feeling sorry when you fail, specifically name the sin to God and ask Him to change your direction, following Jacob's example after wrestling with God rather than Esau's tearless remorse.5. **Let go of a long-held grudge** — Like Esau did after 20 years, choose this week to release resentment toward someone specific rather than waiting for them to make it right first.6. **Trust God's timing over manipulation** — If you're anxious about a promise, calling, or promotion you believe God has spoken over your life, resist the urge to force or manipulate it this week; instead pray and wait as an act of faith.### Discussion Questions1. In the sermon, Pastor Rick pointed out that "nobody inquires of the Lord" throughout this entire chapter. Where in your own life do you tend to scheme or take matters into your own hands instead of asking God first?2. Rick described Isaac's senses being deceived one by one — sight, taste, smell, touch — while only his hearing told him the truth, which he ignored. Where do you find yourself trusting your feelings over what you know God's Word says?3. The sermon contrasted "the good" (the bowl of beans) with "the greater good" (the eternal blessing). What is a "bowl of beans" in your life right now — something good that you're prioritizing over something greater God is offering?4. Esau wept bitterly but, according to Hebrews 12:17, found no place for repentance. What's the difference between being sorry you got caught and truly repenting, and how have you experienced that difference?5. Rick said bitterness, like a dandelion, has to be pulled out by the root or it comes right back. Is there a root of bitterness in your life or family history that keeps resurfacing, and what would it look like to actually deal with it?6. Jacob was transformed from "schemer" to "child of God" only after wrestling with the Lord and coming away changed, even wounded. What might it look like for our group to support each other through a similar season of wrestling with God this year?

Every dental practice has probably had one. They're great at their job. Patients love them. They've been there forever. Maybe they even make the doctor's life easier. But behind the scenes, they gossip, intimidate coworkers, ignore rules, create drama, or make new employees feel like they'll never quite belong. In this episode of Dental Drill Bits, Dana Pardue and Sandy Pardue tackle a difficult question: What is that "indispensable" employee actually costing your practice? Dana and Sandy discuss why practice owners often tolerate bad behavior from high performers, how resentment spreads when rules aren't applied equally, and why your best employees may quietly leave rather than continue working in a toxic environment. In this episode: When high performers become a liability How toxic employees drive good people away Favoritism, cliques, and broken trust Handling complaints without creating gossip When bad behavior crosses a legal line Practice owners often ask, "What happens if I lose this employee?" Maybe there's a better question: Who am I going to lose if I keep tolerating this employee? Because your best employees are watching what you address, what you ignore, and whether the same standards really apply to everyone.   In This Episode How to recognize when your practice is truly understaffed The hidden financial impact of not having enough of the right people Sandy's collections-per-full-time-equivalent metric for evaluating staffing Why attitude, intelligence, and coachability can matter more than dental experience How poor hiring and retention decisions can ultimately cost you your best employees Key Takeaways: The goal isn't to have the smallest team possible. It's to have the right people, in the right roles, with enough capacity to execute the systems that make your practice successful. If you're focused only on the cost of adding another employee, ask a different question: What is it costing your practice not to have enough of the right people?

NO FAVORITES Gordon Dabbs, PhD James 2.1-13 James 2.1 (ESV) My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. Favoritism sees people according to what they can potentially give us. Grace sees people according to the value God has already given them. Galatians 3.27 (NLT) And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. James 2.5 (ESV) Has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom? The person you barely notice is someone God deeply treasures. We must never confuse visibility with value. James 2.8 (ESV) If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. James 2.12-13 (ESV) So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty . . . Mercy triumphs over judgment. People who forget how much mercy they have received become stingy with mercy. The gospel does not merely save us. It retrains our eyes. Who do I naturally notice . . . and who have I trained myself not to see?Subscribe to PRESTONCREST - with Gordon Dabbs on Soundwise

NO FAVORITES Gordon Dabbs, PhD James 2.1-13 James 2.1 (ESV) My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. Favoritism sees people according to what they can potentially give us. Grace sees people according to the value God has already given them. Galatians 3.27 (NLT) And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. James 2.5 (ESV) Has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom? The person you barely notice is someone God deeply treasures. We must never confuse visibility with value. James 2.8 (ESV) If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. James 2.12-13 (ESV) So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty . . . Mercy triumphs over judgment. People who forget how much mercy they have received become stingy with mercy. The gospel does not merely save us. It retrains our eyes. Who do I naturally notice . . . and who have I trained myself not to see?Subscribe to PRESTONCREST - with Gordon Dabbs on Soundwise

The Praise O'Clock Show (also known as The Praiseworld Podcast) is the breakfast show of Praiseworld Radio.Host: Goodness Ezeh

James | Series: Whole Hearted - A Study Of James

What if the way we treat people reveals more about the reality of our faith than the words we say? James challenges us to examine whether our faith is genuine - whether we truly love God by the way we love and treat others. Are we showing favoritism based on someone's status, success, wealth, or what they can do for us, or do we treat others the way God sees them? If you are interested in attending a service or finding out more, please visit us at https://mvcchome.org/  If you feel led to support this ministry, then follow this link https://mvcchome.org/give 

Have you ever witnessed or experienced someone getting preferential treatment? Because they were rich - or looked wealthy? Because they were dressed nicely? Because they were a man? Of course you have. But what if that kind of preferrential treatment for the rich or the beautiful or the powerful or the well-connected was taking place in church? What then? In this message, Max Vanderpool unpacks James 2:1-13 and why favoritism has NO place in the Church of Jesus Christ.

Favoritism can be easy to justify. We naturally connect more with certain people, relate more easily to some than others, and over time, those preferences can quietly shape how we treat them. But when preference turns into partiality, the damage runs deep. In Genesis 37, Jacob openly favors Joseph, creating a family dynamic marked by jealousy, resentment, and division. What may have seemed like harmless preference becomes a spark for betrayal and violence. We may not see it as obvious, but we can fall into similar patterns—showing partiality in our families, our workplaces, or even our churches. And when we do, we shape environments where comparison grows, relationships fracture, and people are quietly pushed aside. Jesus calls His followers to a different posture—one of humility, where greatness is found in the last and least. What would it look like to confront our tendency towards favoritism, and instead reflect the kind of love that is not selective or self-serving, but shaped by the grace of Christ? 

Favoritism can be easy to justify. We naturally connect more with certain people, relate more easily to some than others, and over time, those preferences can quietly shape how we treat them. But when preference turns into partiality, the damage runs deep. In Genesis 37, Jacob openly favors Joseph, creating a family dynamic marked by jealousy, resentment, and division. What may have seemed like harmless preference becomes a spark for betrayal and violence. We may not see it as obvious, but we can fall into similar patterns—showing partiality in our families, our workplaces, or even our churches. And when we do, we shape environments where comparison grows, relationships fracture, and people are quietly pushed aside. Jesus calls His followers to a different posture—one of humility, where greatness is found in the last and least. What would it look like to confront our tendency towards favoritism, and instead reflect the kind of love that is not selective or self-serving, but shaped by the grace of Christ? 

Speaker: Pastor Lorissa MedranoWho gets your attention? Who get your time? Who gets your respect? James 2 challenges us to confront the ways we rank people according to status, wealth, influence, and appearance. Following Jesus means learning to see people differently - and choosing the royal law of love over the invisible rankings of our culture. Wholly Living | Favoritism Doesn't Fit Lorissa Medrano

In this episode of The Extended Cut, pastors Chris and Casey go behind the Sunday sermon and dig deeper into James 2:1–13, exploring favoritism, human dignity, mercy, and what it really means to love people like Jesus.Building on the message “Forbidden Favorites” from our church's Show Me Your Faith series, they wrestle with questions like: Does your relational world look like Jesus'? What does the way you treat people reveal about what you believe about Christ? How do we resist the world's tendency to assign value based on status, influence, wealth, comfort, or usefulness?The conversation also explores how marriage, family, singleness, time, and responsibility shape the way we live on mission, why small acts of obedience matter, and how followers of Jesus can intentionally move toward people who are overlooked, isolated, or outside their normal social circles.Plus, in Beyond the Cut, Chris shares what he wishes he could have explored further in the sermon, including how James speaks not only to those tempted to look down on others, but also to those who have felt unseen, marginalized, or stripped of dignity.In this episode:- James 2:1–13 and the sin of partiality- Why “you cannot separate how you see Jesus from how you see people”- What it means for your relational world to look like Jesus'- Favoritism, status, wealth, influence, and human dignity- Mercy triumphing over judgment- Loving people who can do nothing for you- Following Jesus in marriage, family, and singleness- Practical ways to notice, welcome, and pursue overlooked people- Taking small steps of faith and obedienceThe Extended Cut is a weekly conversation from Grace City Church in Eugene, Oregon, where we go behind the Sunday sermon to explore what shaped it, wrestle with what didn't make the message, and talk about what it means to actually follow Jesus in everyday life.Subscribe for weekly conversations on the Bible, Christian discipleship, spiritual formation, sermons, and life with Jesus.

Most of us would never say we believe some people matter more than others. But what happens when our actions reveal a seating chart we didn't realize was there?In James 2:1-13, James confronts favoritism in the church and challenges the way Christians judge people by wealth, reputation, family, appearance, and status. His words are uncomfortable because he doesn't dismiss favoritism as personal preference or harmless bias. He calls it sin.But this message isn't only for those who have judged others. It is also for anyone who knows what it feels like to be judged, overlooked, or made to feel like the wrong kind of person. The answer James points us toward isn't more judgment, it is mercy.What does loving your neighbor actually require? How should the mercy of Jesus change the way Christians see and treat people? And what if some of our hardest judgments reveal places where we still need Christ's mercy ourselves?People who receive mercy don't add to the load; they share it.In this message from the Faith in Work Boots series, Pastor Jason explores James 2:1-13 and what it teaches about favoritism, Christian judgment, church hurt, mercy, holiness, loving your neighbor, and a faith in Jesus that changes how we treat people around us.Send us Fan MailLinkoln shares his story on why he started coming to Ravenna Church of the Nazarene and shares why you should consider doing the same.Ravenna Church of the Nazarene530 Main Street, Ravenna, KY 40472Support the showThe Dirt Path Sermon Podcast is a place for real sermons that speak to real life. Subscribe and walk the path with us every week.Consider visiting Ravenna Church of the Nazarene where Pastor Jason is the Senior Pastor.   Have a prayer need? Want to share something with Pastor Jason? Email dirtpathpastor@gmail.com

Americans are Paying More for Gas to Keep Iran from Getting a Nuclear Weapon, Don't Seattle My Phoenix , Arizona Electric Bills are too High and Why is Our Government Showing Favoritism to Illegal Immigrants?

What does our faith in Jesus reveal about the way we value and treat other people?In Week 3 of our series, Show Me Your Faith, Pastor Chris Zauner teaches from James 2:1–13 in a message titled “Forbidden Favoritism.” James gives the church a direct command: followers of Jesus must not show partiality or assign greater value to people based on wealth, influence, appearance, status, background, or what they can offer us.Favoritism may seem like a small issue, but Scripture calls it sin. When we begin viewing relationships through the lens of usefulness, influence, or personal benefit, people become opportunities to leverage instead of neighbors to love.The gospel calls us to something radically different.Jesus moved toward the people the world overlooked. He welcomed outsiders, touched the untouchable, dignified the dismissed, and extended mercy to people who had nothing to offer Him. And that same mercy is the reason any of us have a place at His table.In this sermon, Pastor Chris challenges us to examine our own hearts and ask:Who do I naturally notice—and who do I overlook?Who do I move toward—and who do I avoid?Do I value people based on what they can do for me?Has the gospel actually changed the way I see the person in front of me?James reminds us that genuine faith must change more than what we believe—it must transform how we live.Three truths guide this message:1. Reject the world's way of valuing people.People are not opportunities to leverage. They are neighbors to love.2. Remember what you have received.Jesus welcomed us when we had nothing to offer Him. We did not earn our place at His table; we received it through grace.3. Reflect God's mercy to everyone.People who have received extraordinary mercy should become people who extend extraordinary mercy.There are no VIPs at the foot of the cross. Our income, influence, accomplishments, social status, political identity, appearance, or connections do not determine our worth. Every person bears the image of God, and the ground at the foot of the cross is level.James 2:8 says, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” And James closes this passage with a powerful reminder:“Mercy triumphs over judgment.” — James 2:13The question is not simply whether we understand that truth. The question is whether our lives demonstrate it.Will we show our faith in who we welcome?Will we show our faith in who receives our attention?Will we show our faith by moving toward people who can do absolutely nothing for us?May we become a church that sees the lonely, the overlooked, the successful, the struggling, the wealthy, the poor, the put-together, and the falling apart—and extends the mercy of Jesus to everyone.

Family can be one of the greatest sources of joy in our lives, but it can also be the source of some of our deepest pain.Favoritism. Jealousy. Divorce. Rejection. Competition. Anger. Broken relationships. Patterns that seem to get passed from one generation to the next.Joseph knew what it was like to grow up in a dysfunctional family.In Genesis 37, we're introduced to a 17-year-old Joseph and a family filled with tension. His father, Jacob, openly favored him over his brothers. His brothers resented him. Competition and jealousy were everywhere. And before long, that family dysfunction would lead to devastating consequences.But Joseph's story also shows us something incredibly hopeful:Your family history does not have to determine your future.God can take someone from a broken background, transform their life, and use them for a greater purpose.As we begin Joseph's story, we'll discover three truths that can help us deal with the pain and dysfunction in our own families.GOD CAN USE YOU, EVEN IF YOUR FAMILY ISN'T PERFECTUnhealthy family patterns have a way of repeating themselves. Jacob carried dysfunction from his past into his own home, and his children suffered because of it.But you don't have to repeat what you grew up with.With God's help, you can be the person who says, "It stops here."You can break unhealthy patterns and begin a different legacy for the generations that come after you.GOD HAS A CALLING ON YOUR LIFEIn the middle of Joseph's chaotic family life, God began giving him dreams. Joseph couldn't see everything God was doing yet, but God was already preparing him for what was ahead.The same is true for you.God sees you. God loves you. And God has a purpose for your life.Your past doesn't disqualify you from being used by God.GOD'S PROVIDENCE IS AT WORK EVEN WHEN YOU DON'T SEE ITJoseph's story would include rejection, betrayal, false accusations, temptation, disappointment, and years of waiting. Yet behind everything Joseph experienced, God was working.Sometimes we can clearly see what God is doing. Other times, His work is happening behind the scenes.That doesn't mean everything that happens to us is good. It means God is powerful enough to take even the painful and broken parts of our stories and work through them for His purposes.If you've ever thought:"God can't use me.""I'm destined to repeat my family's mistakes.""Nothing good can come from what I've been through.""I'm all alone."Then Joseph's story is for you.Your story isn't over.God can redeem your pain, break unhealthy cycles, and use your life for something greater than you can see right now.

Details on the Philadelphia 76ers regular season schedule.

What happens when political outrage, cultural clashes, and questions about faith all collide in the same week? Mike connects the dots between several stories that he believes reveal a much bigger issue facing the country. From a heated debate over immigration and assimilation to controversy surrounding religious accommodations, the vandalism of the World War II Memorial, and a Texas politician's comments about teaching Bible stories in schools, Mike argues that many of today's headlines point to a deeper shift in American values. He also examines why voters are losing faith in political polling after another surprising primary result and reflects on the legacy of Charlie Kirk as the one-year anniversary of his death approaches.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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In this Sunday sermon, Rev. Alice Grant reflects on the destructive power of jealousy through a childhood story, the account of Joseph and his brothers, and the ways comparison can rob us of joy. Exploring the themes of envy or jealousy, favoritism, sibling rivalry, grief and mercy, she reminds us that God works through imperfect people and offers each of us the assurance that we are enough and deeply loved. The sermon concludes with an invitation to examine our own habits of favoritism and shake them off by embracing the generous, impartial love of God in our families, friendships, and communities.

Pastor Steve expository sermon on James 2:8-13

I Samuel 1 I Samuel 1:1-18 I Samuel 1:1 - I Chronicles seems to indicate that Samuel was a Levite. I Samuel 1:6-8 - Favoritism is very…

James challenges his readers with two very important thoughts. As believers, our religion is impacted by our words and our actions. And like it, how we treat others who are in different economic situations shows our faith in God. God cares for the hurting, broken, and those in hard situations. As we follow Christ, we must take on that same attitude.

Drop us a note about the podcast. Peter walks into a Gentile home and says the quiet part out loud: “God shows no favoritism.” That single line in Acts 10 collides with the way we sort people, trust institutions, and defend our favorite labels. We read the story of Cornelius and Peter straight through, then sit with the uncomfortable simplicity of the gospel: peace with God comes through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all, and forgiveness of sins is tied to His name, not ours. From there, we talk about the pressure to add “something extra” to salvation. Denominations, personalities, cultural credentials, even our own sense of being right can start to function like a backup plan. We push back on that instinct and ask what it does to our souls and to the people watching us. Along the way we connect the text to the Holy Spirit falling on Gentile believers, baptism, and why the early church's message keeps pointing to Christ alone. We also zoom out to everyday obedience with Colossians 3:18–21 and the hard truth that most of us cherry-pick Scripture when it clashes with modern assumptions about marriage and family. Finally, we bring in Proverbs 17 and an 1803 election sermon to argue that a nation's moral foundation cannot survive on shifting feelings and political whims. If you care about Acts 10, salvation, Christian marriage, and America's Christian heritage, this conversation is built to challenge you and sharpen you. Subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show.#ElectionSermon#ChristianNation#AmericanPatriotSupport the showThe American Soul Podcasthttps://www.buzzsprout.com/1791934/subscribeCountryside Book Serieshttps://www.amazon.com/Countryside-Book-J-T-Cope-IV-ebook/dp/B00MPIXOB2 America's Christian Heritage Podcasthttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2622483

Lying. Favoritism. Deception. They ran in Abraham’s family for generations … until Joseph put his foot down. Today on BOLD STEPS, Mark Jobe traces that painful pattern and the man who finally broke it. What made Joseph different? And what would it take for you to be the one who stops the cycle in your own family? Find out ... listen to Bold Steps with Pastor Mark Jobe. Bold Steps Gift: The Five Love Languages: Men's EditionBecome a Bold Partner: https://www.moodyradio.org/donateto/boldstepsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

July 5 | Favoritism by Browncroft Community Church

What captures your admiration will eventually shape how you value people.In this message from James 2:1-13, Pastor James Douglas explores one of the most practical and challenging teachings in the book of James. Favoritism isn't simply bad manners—it's evidence that something other than Jesus has captured our hearts.James calls believers to reject the world's system of ranking people by wealth, status, appearance, or influence and instead embrace the mercy and love of Christ. As we behold the glory of Jesus, we begin seeing every person as someone created in God's image and deeply loved by Him.Whether you've struggled with comparison, judgment, or feeling overlooked yourself, this message points us back to the mercy we've received through Jesus and invites us to become the kind of church where everyone is welcomed, valued, and loved.Scripture: James 2:1-13Support the show

Steve DeWitt Spiritual Favoritism and Why God Hates It - Part B James 2:1-9 James - Walk & Talk Donate to Support The Journey

Steve DeWitt Spiritual Favoritism and Why God Hates It - Part A James 2:1-9 James - Walk & Talk Donate to Support The Journey

We all play favorites, even when we don't mean to. In this message from James 2, we look at how judging people by looks, money, or status pulls us away from God's heart. God doesn't have “favorite kids” — His love and mercy are for everyone. You'll hear real stories, simple examples, and a clear call to stop ranking people and start showing mercy. Discover what it means to live like the ground is level at the cross, and how mercy can change the way you see and treat others this week.