Service Industries

When you take a close look at it, aren't we all involved in serving others?

A dispute also arose among them as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest. But he said to them, 'The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you; rather the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. - Luke 22:24-27

When we think about the service industry, we tend to focus on areas like food service, maintenance and other manual labor, but we purchase a lot of services, including medical services, legal services, and other professional services.

So, rather than ask who is performing a service for others, perhaps we should ask who isn't.

Manufacturers and retailers deliver products, but that is a service as well, isn't it?  Even executives exist to deliver a service, when you boil it all down. 

The ones Jesus singled out as different were the benefactors, the ones in authority who seek to be served by others, rather than serve.

I guess we can forget that we exist to serve others, and we can become like those benefactors, wanting rather than giving.  So, maybe we should try to remember that in everything we do.

If we can't see who benefits from what we do other than us, maybe we should rethink what we are doing.

Of course, we all want to have a day off to enjoy life, so don't rethink everything.  But try to be generous with your time, and it will be generous with you.

More to come...