The Favoritism

Greetings to all. Let's ponder on something: each day, we make 35,000 decisions! They can be trivial, like selecting socks, or monumental, like deciding how to allocate our time and energy in relationships. When faced with choosing between friends or family members, the dilemma intensifies. This is where favoritism, the act of unfairly preferring one person or thing over others, comes into the picture. This phenomenon isn't just confined to families; it's also prevalent in religious communities and our relationship with God.

Point 1: The Cautionary Tale of Favoritism in the Bible

Jacob's favoritism towards Joseph is a well-known biblical story. His open display of affection through the gift of a vibrant coat essentially labeled Joseph as the favorite. The Bible cautions against favoritism. Proverbs 24:23 advises, "These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judging is not good." Similarly, James 2:1-4 discusses the negative consequences of favoritism, emphasizing how it can cultivate divisions and resentment.

Think of favoritism as a series of microaggressions, often compared to mosquito bites. Each act might seem insignificant, but they accumulate and become increasingly harmful.

Jacob's favoritism fostered jealousy and animosity among his other sons, culminating in them selling Joseph into slavery. Imagine the deep divisions this act drove into their family. It's comparable to a tiny crack in a windshield that gradually causes it to shatter. This illustrates the importance of equity and love in maintaining and nurturing family bonds.

Favoritism often stems from selfishness, which can spiral into full-blown favoritism. It can manifest as prioritizing family over others or putting oneself before their spouse or children.

Point 2: The Broader Implications of Favoritism in Society and Religious Communities

Favoritism isn't just a familial issue; it's a societal one that can permeate religious communities. The Bible vehemently opposes this, advising against a biased judgment in Proverbs and highlighting early Christian community struggles with favoritism in James.

For instance, Mahatma Gandhi is renowned for his wisdom and advocacy for peace. Despite his genuine interest in Christianity, he was barred from entering a church due to his race. This incident underscores the potential harm of favoritism, which can alienate those seeking guidance or solace in a community.

Additionally, Dr. Karl Pillemer's research underscores the lasting psychological toll of favoritism among siblings, linking it to depression and sadness in adulthood. This empirical evidence aligns with biblical teachings.

Imagine the effect on someone attending church for the first time who encounters rejection, indifference, or coldness due to favoritism. Such an experience could leave them feeling despondent and rejected.

Consider the analogy of a tree that only provides shade to certain branches, leaving others exposed to the harsh sunlight. This exemplifies favoritism within communities, where support and care are selectively offered.

Point 3: Spiritual Favoritism: Don't Let Materialism Obscure Our Relationship with God

Favoritism can also hinder our connection with God. With its technological advancements and social opportunities, the modern world is mesmerizing, but it can be a distraction from our spiritual path.

Here's an illustrative story: A man diagnosed with diabetes prayed for health but struggled to give up eating donuts, his guilty pleasure. He bargained with God, stating that if there was a parking spot in front of the donut shop; he would take it as divine permission to indulge. Despite the lot being full, he circled until a spot opened up. This reflects our inclination to prioritize immediate gratification over devotion to God.

However, there's hope. Once consumed by worldly pleasures, St. Augustine experienced a transformation through a divine revelation, reorienting his priorities towards God.

Matthew 22:37 urges us to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." This calls for unwavering devotion, placing God at the helm of our lives.

As we mature, we have the agency to mold our futures. Prioritizing our eternal bond with God entails conscious choices, like prayer, scripture reading, and actively engaging in spiritually healthy communities.

Conclusion:

As we traverse life, let's remain vigilant of our choices, especially the unintentional favoritism within families, communities, and our relationship with God. We forge robust relationships, thriving communities, and a gratifying spiritual connection by promoting inclusivity, fairness, love, and elevating God.