Ephesians 6:9 “And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.”
Have you ever noticed that in this life, things aren’t always fair? Some of us are born to wealth, others of us to poverty. Some of us are quick learners, others of us have to work harder to learn new things. Some of you can eat all the chocolate you want and still be skinny. Others, like me, can gain five pounds just by smelling a Hershey’s Kiss.
Life just isn’t fair.
People aren’t always fair, either. Sometimes, we show favoritism. We treat some people as if they are special, simply because they are smart, or beautiful, or because they are our third cousin, twice removed. Whatever our reasons, showing favoritism is wrong. And it is especially wrong, if we are in a position of authority.
Our Father, who is in authority over all of us, shows no favoritism. He loves each of us, individually. Each one of us is important to Him. When we are blessed to be given a position of leadership over others, we must strive to imitate God, and treat the people under us fairly. We must do all in our power not to show favoritism. We must show people courtesy and respect, and treat each and every person as if they are equally important.
Dear Father, Please help me not to show favoritism. Help me to treat everyone equally, with courtesy, compassion, and love.
Amen
I think we should show that courtesy by also being genuinely happy for those who seem to have it all, too. Not letting envy creep in is very good Christian living.
Great post! Ra ra ra, sis boom bah! (I’m a little cheerleader in cyber space).
Great insight, Sarah! You’re right. Jealousy can cause all kinds of havoc on our relationships.
Thanks for the cheering – I can just picture you with the cute little skirt and the pom poms! 🙂
Thanks for being an encourager. We need more of those in this world.
–r
xx
Sometimes it’s hard not to show favoritism – or jealousy for others that seem to have more than we do – but your post and the Scripture reminds us we shouldn’t do either.
Renae,
I’m learning the practical way that God loves each of us the same – no matter how we look, what we wear, what our preferences are, whether we’re saved or not. His magnanomous love reaches to every person who draws breath.
Thanks for the reminder.
Jean
My Conversations With God at http://www.jeanmatthewhall.blogspot.com
Lillie, you’re right, it is hard. It is just human nature to be more drawn to some people than others. But it is wrong, isn’t it?!
And Jean, isn’t it great that God loves each of us the same? In many ways, He treats each one of us as if we are the only one.
Great to see you both!
–r
Hi Renae! I’m catching up on your blog today. Loved these last 2 posts. Both are very much to the point and needed. So much of what we do is because we see the outward. I wonder what the secret is to seeing the inward without being affected by the outward? Perhaps it is impossible as humans to get to that point completely… but I want to strive to be able to do it the Lord’s way.
I know what you mean, Jeanette. It’s hard not to judge people based on outward appearances. Perhaps if we keep praying to see others through His eyes, He will keep helping us to do just that.
Won’t heaven be great, when we will really see things the way He does?
–r
Dear Renae,
there is a Norwegian saying
“If you’re mocking my clothes, you’re mocking the tailor, if you’re mocking my shoes, you’re mocking the the shoemaker, but if you’re mocking me, you’re mocking the creator.”
From Felisol
Oh, that is a wonderful, wise saying, Felisol! Thank you for sharing it!
–r