RELATIONSHIPS May 7, 2007 ISSUE

THE ULTIMATE LOVE RESERVOIR

JANE GLASSER

I THINK EVERYONE wants to feel loved. But oftentimes it's tempting to want to be loved best. This desire to be the favorite crops up among siblings, in friendships and romantic relationships, and can even cause tension and competition in the workplace.

This craving is nothing new; it surfaces throughout the Bible. For example, Cain was jealous of Abel's preferred offering to God. And Jacob's 12 sons seethed at Joseph's favoriteson status (see Gen., chaps. 4, 37).