JANUARY 22, Malachi 3:5

God has blessed Singapore materially and today, many of you may have a domestic helper at home. How do you treat the helper? Do you order her around, and expect her to do all the dirty work without complaining? Do you ever stop and consider how she may be tired, sad, or lonely, needing someone to talk to?

In the place where I live, there are employers who make their helpers wake up at around 5 a.m. every day to clean their cars. This happens everyday. To such people, clearly their cars are more important than their helpers. To such people, helpers are modern day slaves. What do you think God will say to that?

Well, God indeed said something about rich people or employers who mistreat and take advantage of others. The verse tells us that God will punish those who “oppress the hireling”, the “hireling” being an old English word for worker.

So to you who are privileged enough to have a helper at home, first of all – thank God. I learnt from my mother how to treat helpers – treat them as you would like your sister or child to be treated. Better still, treat them how you yourself want to be treated! They are employed to work hard, as all employees are. We should not ill-treat our helpers. I hope you and your family treat your helper well.

Remember, your helper may not be a Christian. This is God’s way for your family to witness and bless her. Remember, she is a beloved daughter of her parents. Also remember, she is loved by the Lord, and she is someone for whom Jesus died on the cross. Forget about sending offerings or going to overseas missions when a helper in your house is ill-treated. That would be what we discussed a few days ago – Fake Piety!

For those of you without a helper at home, how do you treat the cleaner who washes the toilet, or the employee who clears the hawker centre tables? Are you kind and courteous, or do you look down on them?

Thought: If you were working for someone, how would you like to be treated?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to appreciate the people around me, especially service staff and those who work for my family. Help me never to be mean or look down on them. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.