Favoritism

DEVOTION

PROVERBS

NO FAVORITISM

Prov 28:21

21 To show partiality is not good —yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.

NIV

This speaks to the issue of being partial to special people, such as those who are our friends or because someone who is a gentlemen or scholar, or to someone who has done a nice thing for us, or might do a nice thing for us. It is also possible we could show partiality to those who believe the same as we do, or are at least of the same persuasion as we are. This also speaks to the opposite side of that coin that we do not show any partiality to those who are not of the same persuasion as we are, or belong to an opposing political party or do not consider the same moral issues we hold dear as wrong.  We see this played out in the illustration shown to us through James.

James 2:1-4

2:1 My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. patty2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good seat for you," but say to the poor man, "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet," 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

NIV

Showing partiality is the same as showing favoritism. We are told that God is not a respecter of people.

Acts 10:34-35

34 Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.

NIV

This showing favoritism leads a person down a path that will bring them to looking for mere scraps from the table. They will do wrong for the slightest benefit to themselves. The reason we are partial to someone is for some reason, and in most cases it is for our own benefit. When we can see all people, no matter their appearance, no matter their social, economic or religious views as equals, all being the among the creation of God and see them as he does, we can then live without showing favoritism.

Rom 2:11

11 For God does not show favoritism.

NIV