We must treat servants with love, respect

St James instructed the first Christians not to offer a place of honour to rich people when they come to church on Sunday. Let them sit together with everyone else in the congregation.

If anything, we should offer the poorest a place of honour: “Listen, my dear brothers: it was those who are poor according to the world that God chose to be rich in faith.”

The same logic applies to Christian families. If you have a man or woman working in your house to help with affairs of your family, treat them with the same respect you show to the rest of the family.

The man or woman who does that kind of work—cleaning, washing, cooking and caring for the home—is doing the most important work in the world. These people also also spend a lot of time with your children. Whether you’re aware of it or not, they have a lot of influence on your family and especially on your children.

People who work in a bank, in a law firm or in Parliament, is accorded respect almost automatically. Many times a movie actor or sports hero becomes the object of admiration. What about a woman working in someone else’s house, in the kitchen or the laundry? How often does she receive the same kind of respect? And yet, everyday, who does more good to you directly?

It makes no sense to look down on those who work at home. It makes no sense to treat these men and women as if they are lesser beings. Instead, we should acknowledge them the same way Christ looks at them.

Isn’t this why Jesus insisted that “the first shall be last and the last shall be first”? Isn’t this why Jesus said, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve”? Isn’t this why Jesus washed the feet of his disciples? Remember how Jesus defended the widows and orphans before the Pharisees.

Being a servant

Where did Jesus earn a living? In Parliament or in a carpenter’s workshop? There is nothing wrong with working in Parliament. But there is nothing lowly about being a servant. Have no qualm with using the word “servant” to refer to those who work at home. They serve others by cooking and cleaning. If we want to be like Jesus, then all of us, no matter what our position in life, have to learn how to be servants—even a Member of Parliament.

The best way to begin is by showing respect for those who take care of our homes. Also ensure that your children learn how to treat your servant with respect. By being humble before those who are humble, we learn to be humble ourselves.