Favoritism

My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism.

James 2:1

Favoritism.  It's wrong.  It's not fair.  But, sadly, it's very common - and has been since way back in the first book of the Bible, Genesis. 

There is favoritism in families - shown by parents, grandparents, siblings, and other relatives.  There's favoritism in the work place.  There's favoritism all around us. 

The Bible speaks very plainly about favoritism in many places. It's never viewed in a positive light.

If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself, "you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. James 2:8-10

In the Bible, Rebekah showed favoritism loving her son Jacob more than her son Esau.(Genesis 25:28).  But it was all part of God's big plan. (Genesis 25:23)

Jacob then showed favoritism to one of his sons, Joseph, making his other sons very jealous.  (He had a good teacher, didn't he?)  Jacob's other sons became so jealous that they sold Joseph.  But again, it was all part of God's big plan. (Genesis 45:4-8)

God's plan is bigger than what we can ever fully understand, but the examples above deal with favoritism that was for a certain purpose.  It doesn't make sense to us until we read the whole story and see how God worked in each situation.

Favoritism in our lives is not part of God's plan.  He forbids it in His Word.  It shouldn't be in our families or in our lives at all.  Our children are different and have different personalities - some may be a lot like us or some may be very different for us.  Those differences shouldn't ever mean one child is loved or favored more than another.

Parents should treat their children fairly and not show favoritism. Grandparents should treat their grandchildren the same and not show favoritism. Siblings should treat each other with respect and not show favoritism. And, in the work place, although there are major differences in personalities and work ethic, employers and employees should make sure to keep favoritism out of the decision making.

God "will give to each person according to what he has done."To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism.

Romans 2:6-11