The Cost of Service

In 1977, Congress passed the Community Reinvestment Act. The legislation helped minorities, low-income families and inner city residents obtain home-ownership through low-income loans. By the year 2000, banks had given out nearly one trillion dollars in loans because of the Act, which had undergone some changes.

Minorities, low-income families and inner city residents all seem to have a target on their back that only some people can see. I firmly believe among elected officials, community organizations and businesses there are some who are genuine and truly seek to serve the needs of others, but there are also some who seek to simply profit at the expense of others.

The current mortgage crisis is an example. The very people who were suppose to benefit from these “easy to get” loans are now its greatest victims. This leads me to wonder, “Are minorities and low-income families just a business opportunity to make money? Are they just a program idea to receive money from the government? Are they more than just pawns in a game of power between political parties?”

I know of a famous and powerful person in world history who spent his life serving the minorities and low-income people of His day – Jesus Christ. In His short three-year ministry career, He quickly became one of the most famous men of his day. Long before cars, marketing and sound systems people traveled miles on foot to hear him speak. Crowds would gather by the thousands in the open air to listen. Yet, He was never lured away into using His fame, power or influence to serve His own personal ambitions. Rather, He continually gave of Himself to minister to the sick, feed the hungry and offer words of hope to all who came and listened. He gave Himself so fully, that it eventually cost Him His life. Jesus once said, “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul?” (The Bible, Mark 8:36).

May Jesus be our hope for today and our model for service. May we not seek to serve ourselves at the expenses of others, but rather serve others at the expense of ourselves.