Does God Show Favoritism?

Galatians 2:6(NKJV)

6But from those who seemed to be something—whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God shows personal favoritism to no man—for those who seemed to be something added nothing to me. 

I read that and thought to myself, really?  But doesn't the Gospel tell us that God will assign the honor of who sits on His left and who sits on His right?  Isn't that showing favoritism?

I love running across things like this because a lot of time it helps me discover deeper meanings.  I assumed I knew what favoritism meant but just to be safe I thought I ought to look it up.

fa·vor·it·ism

1. the favoring of one person or group over others with equal claims; partiality: to show favoritism toward the youngest child.
2. the state of being a favorite.

Pasted from <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/favoritism>

An aha moment and confirmation of something I have long believed.  Here is the key difference.  Favoritism is when you favor one person over the other when both are equal or have equal claims.

In the case of Heaven Scripture tells us while we are saved by grace and salvation is guaranteed for all who accept Jesus, our rewards in Heaven will be commensurate with our service to God. 

In other words, our rewards in Heaven will be based on our performance for God.  It will be what we have earned.  It will not be a case of God favoring one person over another equal person to put them on the right hand or left.  If will be a case of that person having earned that honor.  Big difference!