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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Favoritism (02/28/05)
Favoritism. As we ponder its meaning, most of us think of the negative effects it has on our lives and the lives of others. A coach that doesn’t play our child, a teacher’s pet that does no wrong, a co-worker who always seems to get that promotion or a sibling preferred above the others. The word alone stirs feelings of hurt and envy. Jealousy begins to brew as we remind ourselves how unfair life is and wonder where God is in this picture.

Even the bible is filled with stories of people showing favoritism to others. Imagine the heartache of Joseph’s brothers when his father presented him with that special coat as described in the thirty seventh chapter of Genesis. How about the blatant act of disobedience by the priests who allowed powerful and influential people to break the law and go unpunished as reported in the second chapter of Malachi? And remember the warning from James to the first-century Jewish Christians to cease showing favoritism to the rich?

Knowing that human nature is as it is, what are we to do?

We need to take this word – favoritism – and see it from God’s perspective, upside down. When our Heavenly Father sent His only son – Jesus Christ – into this world for the purpose of saving His people from their sins, the circumstances and conditions did nothing to promote favoritism. In fact many people did not even recognize the Savior because they were looking for a man of prominence. As Jesus taught he always emphasized the special blessing prepared for those who were not favored – the poor, the humble, the merciful, the persecuted, those who mourned. This was a message so contrary to the world’s way of thinking it could only be described as upside down favoritism. Jesus then challenged us in John 15:12 (NLT) “I command you to love each other in the same way that I love you.”

So coaches, pay special attention to that child who sits on your bench, teachers, don’t overlook that quite child in the back of the room, bosses treat your workers with equality even when it is politically incorrect, and parents, purposely give the “other” children a love that will display the upside down favoritism that God expects from us all.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Crista Darr
03/08/05
They were "looking for a man of prominence" and many still are. Good work. You got me thinking.
donna robinson
03/10/05
Upside down favoritism--what a unique way of explaining God's love! This will stay with me and it makes the point in a way that the reader will remember long after they finished the story.
karen McLamb
03/11/05
Wow! This is very good!
Yes we need to see it God's way.
Good Job!