Stooping low for high service

Matthew 24: 45 – 51 (TNIV)

⁴⁵ “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? ⁴⁶ It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. ⁴⁷ Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. ⁴⁸ But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’ ⁴⁹ and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. ⁵⁰ The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. ⁵¹ He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

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“The Parable of the Unfaithful Slave” is the sub-title often given to this passage in the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Matthew. This lesson, in the form of a short story, speaks of leadership responsibility and timing. How are we to understand household, master, slave as they are used in this parable? Imagine yourself in a position of responsibility for those who look to you for security and direction. How do you regard them? Are there times when you are more attentive to your care for them than others?

Is the relational expression of your faith one of integrity? Are you the same always, everywhere?

I am reminded of the contemporary story of Jim Sinegal, CEO of Costco. Sinegal maintains a deep commitment to the care of his employees. Although he could choose to remain detached and aloof from the ground-level workings of the individual stores that make up his multi-billion dollar corporation, Sinegal chooses instead to work anonymously alongside his employees. Instead of receiving a multi-million dollar personal salary, Sinegal has decided that receiving $350,000.00 (twelve times the pay of an average employee) is enough. Instead of being concerned for short-term goals and quick profits, Sinegal focuses on the long-term impact of caring deeply for customers and employees.

I am also reminded of a very different master. The thirteenth chapter of the Gospel of John tells of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples. In this radical act of humility and service, Jesus cries out for egalitarianism and against elitism. In this profound expression of love, Jesus transcends the false power of human hierarchy and falls to his knees to care for others.

— Rev. Judy Long O’Neal

O God of gentle service and radical action, wash me clean from my need to feel superior to others. Reinforce my confidence in your love, that I may not seek affirmation in personal titles and high salaries. Keep me whole and healthy, that I may always be attentive and ready to respond to the needs of others. Amen.