A Christian View of the Glass Ceiling
In a recent economics report, many nations were ranked according to their practice of giving equal pay for men and women. The US was ranked somewhere in the middle while South Korea placed last.
What is at stake here is the meaning of money as it applies to the worth and value we place on persons. What is implied about the worth of women who are paid less especially when doing the same or similar jobs as men? While we can make all manner of cultural or historical reasons/ excuses for the lower pay, the fact remains that money paid is a measure of worth.
Jesus and the Worth of Persons
Jesus lifted up a child onto His lap and said that this child is like the Kingdom of God. In that society, kids were dismissed as of little value. Jesus elevated the despised Samaritans by making a Samaritan the hero of the story of the Good Samaritan. He healed outcast lepers and went to dinner with hated tax collectors. Gospel writer Luke records the names of women followers and supporters of Jesus along with the activities of the men disciples. He saw worth when others could not or would not.
Paul and the Worth of Women
The book of Romans is considered by many as one of Paul's greatest theological writings, So it is significant that at the concluding chapter he hands out effusive thanks to several women who ministered with him. Chapter 16 opens with accolades to Deacon Phoebe "who has been a great help to me and should be received as one worthy of the saints." The next in line are Priscilla and Aquilla, a wife and husband team. Paul remarked that all the Gentile churches are grateful for the two. In verse 6, Mary is greeted; then in verse 7, the Apostle Junias is thanked for doing a great job. Many scholars have identified this person as a woman.
In verse 12, three women are thanked and in verse 13 Rufus' mother is extolled as mothering Paul, as well. He concludes by thanking by name four persons, two being women. Despite other quotes from Paul seeming to negate women, when it comes to ministry, he obviously sees their value and worth.
In conclusion, it should be clear that the Christian church needs to be the leader when it comes to equal pay for women. It is dishonoring to God when we have a lower scale of pay for women in the church or Christian organizations. It seems obvious that the Christian has more support for equal pay than the secular world does.
