I always enjoyed being around my younger brother Edward; he was my favorite sibling. We all have people and friends to whom we feel closer and who are more comfortable for us to be around. I cannot see anything wrong with that, can you? The rub comes when we play favoritism to a certain class of people for whatever reason. Do they have money or influence? Just maybe we can reap benefits from them, and therefore, we buddy up to them. Webster defines favoritism in part as the showing of more kindness and indulgence to some person or persons than to others or being unfairly partial. The key is that we must not be unfairly partial.
It has been my experience that because of unfair partiality or favoritism, people have had advancements in the job market and have climbed the social structure. Have you ever met an apple polisher? People develop these friendships because they may be drinking buddies, part of a social club, of the same political party or other suchlike groups. With this type of tie-in, cliques have a tendency to develop. Webster defines “clique” in part as a small, exclusive circle of people or a snobbish or narrow clique.
Christians must strive to be fair, friendly and impartial with all dealings with each other as well as with all men. We must not be respecters of persons.
My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; and ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?” (James 2:1-4 KJV)
The inspired writer, James, says it all; there is nothing to add. I strongly dislike unfair partiality and favoritism that develops into cliques. I have seen this type of negative behavior hurt too many good people. For those who promote unfair favoritism and cliques, shame on you!
