An African American woman filed for job discrimination and won her case. She had graduated at the top of her class and applied for a teaching job in her town. Three times over a 2-year period she applied, but each time the school hired white teachers instead. She sued the school. In court, she proved that during that 2-year period the school had hired 46 people but teaching vacancies were never advertised. The judge ruled that the school’s policies and practices amounted to nepotism—that is, they used word of mouth to advertise and hired friends and relatives. The court ruled this was bias against the woman’s right of employment. Jesus criticized this self-centered practice among the Pharisees. They looked out for their own interests but were unconcerned about the plight of others. The Pharisees objected that he healed on the Sabbath Day. Jesus reacted to their objection with a question: “If your son or your cow falls into a pit [on the Sabbath], don’t you rush to get him out?” By answering their objections this way, Jesus helps us know we should not restrict our concern to rescuing family members only, we should show compassion for the needs of others also.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr. is the founder and chairman of UMI (Urban Ministries, Inc.). Under his direction, UMI has grown to be a leading publisher of Christian education resources for churches in the African American community. Read More
