Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors. But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him.

Genesis 37: 3-4

I imagine most of us have experienced favoritism in one way or another. Whether it is the teacher’s pet, a favorite child, or playing favorites in the workplace, I think that we all can agree favoritism harms relationships.

The life of Joseph isn’t the first case of favoritism found in Scripture, but the story of this young man is compelling in many ways that relate well to us today. In the case of Joseph, it was not his fault that he was preferred by his father over his other brothers. Not only was Joseph a son of Israel’s old age, he was the firstborn of the old man’s first love, Rachel. And the coat of many colors only served to create hostility from his brothers.

Sometimes the favoritism we show or experience is a little less obvious. How often do we play favorites in our own families? Do we show special attention to someone who can do something for us? James warns us against that kind of wrong-headed thinking:

“My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?” (James 2: 1-4).

Let’s ask ourselves this question – are we guilty of playing favorites?