Playing Favorites Nothing destroys the unity of any group like “playing favorites.” Families have been fractured, churches have been split, and relationships weakened all from the perception that someone is choosing one person over another for special, unfair consideration. There are many examples of the negative effects of favoritism in Scripture. Isaac and Rebekah made their own sons, Jacob and Esau, into mortal enemies because they chose favorites between their children. Jacob followed the model his parents established and treated his children in the same way, which caused seeds of jealousy to spring up in their family. Unity has never come from showing favoritism. As believers in Jesus, we are a family. And familial love is steadfast, regardless of what a member may or may not have to offer at a certain time. In today’s verse, James is warning against treating rich and poor neighbors differently. Let’s then stop playing favorites, and let us love each other the way Jesus loves us. The world will see what it’s like when families love not because of perceived value or personal preference, but from the overflow of God’s endless love and passion for His mission.

Playing Favorites Nothing destroys the unity of any group like “playing favorites.” Families have been fractured, churches have been split, and relationships weakened all from the perception that someone is choosing one person over another for special, unfair consideration. There are many examples of the negative effects of favoritism in Scripture. Isaac and Rebekah made their own sons, Jacob and Esau, into mortal enemies because they chose favorites between their children. Jacob followed the model his parents established and treated his children in the same way, which caused seeds of jealousy to spring up in their family. Unity has never come from showing favoritism. As believers in Jesus, we are a family. And familial love is steadfast, regardless of what a member may or may not have to offer at a certain time. In today’s verse, James is warning against treating rich and poor neighbors differently. Let’s then stop playing favorites, and let us love each other the way Jesus loves us. The world will see what it’s like when families love not because of perceived value or personal preference, but from the overflow of God’s endless love and passion for His mission.