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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Favoritism (02/28/05)
1. Favoritism: A display of partiality toward a favored person or group
2. Favor: A gracious, friendly, or obliging act that is freely granted
Favoritism: Such an uncomfortable term. What unfavorable connotations are imposed at the mention of this word! In laymen?s terms, it can be summed as the deliberate or non-deliberate variance in treatment towards others. Naturally, there are certain variances that present themselves more obvious than others. Racism is a demonically blatant brand of favoritism. Whereas favorable treatment based on financial status is an often more accepted and less overt form of preferential treatment. Even more obscure translations of such variances exist. We see someone whom reminds us of someone we do not care for and we immediately, almost intuitively, hold this individual in disregard. The list could, and does, go on for days; each case of favoritism varying as much as our feelings from day to day.

Now, obviously favoritism, in this negative sense, is not the heart of Christ. God admonishes us through His Word that there is to be no variance in our treatment of others. However, God?s favor being bestowed upon someone is too often viewed as favoritism, rather than the unmerited grace of God that it truly is. Unfortunately, this distorted interpretation leads many to prematurely stray from their God-appointed place of assignment. If a Pastor shows favor towards an individual based on that individual?s diligence, a slothful, stagnant member will become jealous and incorrectly label this as favoritism. God exhorts us through His unerring text that if we ?Let not mercy and truth forsake thee; bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart, So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.? (Proverbs 3:3,4) Again, God gives us guidance on this matter when He says, ?The hand of the diligent will rule: but the slothful will be put to forced labor? (Proverbs 12:24 Amplified) God?s favor upon the diligent, whether it comes in the form of promotion, favor from a Pastor or other minister, or any of the other infinite number of vessels that God may choose, is not something that we should allow to be tarnished by a spirit of envy and jealousy. It is something to be embraced. In the same way we ourselves would rejoice upon the reception of such favor, we should learn to reciprocate this joy and happiness when others are promoted and have this divine favor bestowed upon them. Truly, ?The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of everyone that is hasty, only to want.? Proverbs 21:5. There is no room for favoritism in the Body of Christ, nor is there any place for jealousy and envy in the Kingdom of God. Remember, diligence is the highest form of flattery, while disdain towards your brothers leads only to your scattering.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Lynne Gaunt
03/08/05
You have packed so much in this short space - its almost too much to absorb. I did like this point, I think it's quite insightful:

"We see someone who reminds us of someone we do not care for and we immediately, almost intuitively, hold this individual in disregard."

Thanks for posting.
donna robinson
03/10/05
What I liked most about this piece was the ungoing theme that to appreciate one person for their efforts is well deserved recongition and not to be confused with favoritism. We often miss that point and I was inspired to see you bring that out here.