Is it wrong to show favoritism as a Christian?
To show favoritism is not good:
“To show partiality is not good, because for a piece of bread a man will transgress” (Proverbs 28:11).
Showing favoritism to anyone for any reason is always wrong. It only leads to conflict and trouble. Those who are shown favoritism usually come to think they are better than others. The people around them resent the fact that he or she is shown favor and they become bitter toward those who are shown special favoritism.
God is not a respecter of persons and we should not be either (Acts 10.34-35; Romans 2.11; James 2.1-7). That is not to say that we might naturally be more compatible with some people and like someone better than another. But we should be mindful not to belittle anyone for any reason and think that one person is better than another.
“Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him” (Acts 10: 34-35).
“For there is no partiality with God” (Romans 2:11).
And in James we are reminded to beware of personal favoritism:
“My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,” have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?”
Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts? 7 Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called? (James 2:1-7)
