Stewardship

When we transition from the inward (privacy) nature of the family to social awareness and participation in society (public); and, if our personal development is not damaged by omissions and distortions in the informal contexts of humankind, we look for respect as persons of value – and we offer to others the same respect.  Much that is wrong in the world arena and human experience can distort and betray the idealism, but we remember that we do not fault an ideal by the practices of many who violate possibilities.  We should not permit society to form a mix of good and evil, so to splash fouled ingredients over a good and moral pattern.  A well prepared salad can be ruined by a rancid dressing.  Don’t blame the salad veggies.  But, we may.  Desire respect in an appropriate aspect of rightful personal duty unrelated to selfish pride which becomes a form of arrogance taking a position of self-privilege relating to others of earth or species.  Peasants, unwashed, untouchable – the different persons (even in race, gender, ages or economic level) are not respected.  Respect is one of the fractions that make up the love quotient we cultivate in life.  Failing to adopt respect for ourselves and others is a failure of an image standard offered of God.  From time to time in Scripture, God corrects persons who miss the point.  When Moses tries to evade God in the call to lead the people to the promised land, God so respected Moses that he takes considerable time in putting him through paces to show him what he might do.  Moses demurs complaining of his poor speech skills.  God takes responsibility for Moses, by noting that he, God, even makes persons who are blind, while others can see – some unable to speak at all.  On the exchange God finally offers Aaron, Moses’ brother, to do the speaking.  We know the rest of the story.  How did Aaron, have the skill that Moses did not – but God?

God has his own standard for respect of a human being.  A main factor in it is that the individual will trust God to provide whatever is missing in the teamwork of life so forming persons to become what they are meant to be. The objective is clear enough.  Whatever one does that offers service to mankind, for that we call good is noble.  In the course of doing our best in what our hands find to do we deserve respect.  It is the first remuneration, appearing above wages, we ought to want and we ought to know that it is given in good will.  God speaks in blessing even in the advent season to persons of good will.  I have often been asked to address business conferences.  The one factor that I have found in colleagues addressing these audiences is that employers need to respect their workers, and permit them to know it.  Many employers believe that the only matter of concern is the moderating wage, and that related to hours.  No, it all begins with respect of the human being (bearing the inherited image of God).  Where God’s image may be found we can be sure that God is interested in its recognition.  It is so great that many a caregiver has provided service to persons known as among the dregs of society knowing there must be given the respect due to the creator of the life we share.  Recently a news segment caught the gracious person going to a man sitting on the edge of a building hovering against a snow storm.  The reporter implied in the words of the report that others had walked by, apparently avoiding Good Samaritan conduct.  The man frigid with the cold was finally lifted up, and the viewer was left with the concept that something good was done for the fellow.  Such is the respect due to God for forming mankind as caring (love factor).  We function as Christians, if we do, in the spirit of respect for self and others.  At this writing there has been an outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus in West Africa.  The news has often repeated that the missionary doctors and nurses have risked their own lives in ministering to them. The other day a missionary doctor was rushed from Africa to Nebraska to a facility dealing with Ebola.  Those who have survived in the same work as the doctor have not regretted their effort.  They have demonstrated to the world the compassion of Christ, to whom they credit their respect for the need to serve disease and fear.  This observation applies also to those persons who have also served in this outbreak who are hold no spiritual faith.  Empathetic service to mankind is service to God, who blesses it to the needy. God challenges mankind for adequate care of his creation.