The Results of Favoritism

Most of the time when we pick favorites it has some negative consequences. This is especially true when a parent decides to show favoritism to one of his or her children. However, it is a general principle, too. The Bible tells us that God does not show favoritism to any person. He looks at every person's heart and makes his evaluation of that person based on what He finds there. Let's look at what happened when Jacob favored his son, Joseph, over his eleven brothers. It actually caused them to hate him and not to speak to him. (Genesis 37:3,4) I imagine we have all seen similar results, and it may have happened to us.

All people are created in the image of God. Therefore, every person is of the same value to God. He wants a close relationship with each of us. We should be the same way as we relate to others. We should value the differences in people, but know they are all of equal value. We should love them each fully, and we should treat them all with the same respect and love. This way we are good reflections of the character of Christ, our Lord and Savior. He died for every person to have life. He did not favor anyone in His death and resurrection. He desires all to be saved. Therefore, I pray we will all stay away from playing favorites. It only leads to hurt feelings and broken relationships. It can even lead to hatred. Let's ask God to love others through us, so we will not hurt anyone by seeming to favor another person besides them.
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Tomorrow, I intend to read Genesis 38-40.