Many years ago, a brother who experienced his first breakthrough told me he would purchase a prestigious car. I wondered why that was the first thing on his mind. He replied that driving it to apply for contracts would make others take him more seriously. That story reminded me of another. One Peter Baker was asked if he ever got treated differently because of the vehicle he was driving. His answer was in the affirmative. He had bought a used Mercedes Sprinter Limo for $30,000 for his automotive accessory business. The actual cost of a brand-new one was $140,000. He admitted that for the two years he owned the vehicle, people treated him more respectfully. Wherever he parked his car, people begged him to allow them have a look at the interior. Beyond this, clients stopped asking for receipts; they just trusted him.

…we are to honour all people. This is because every human being has a measure of dignity.

It is unfortunate that people are mainly assessed based on material things. We tend to honour those who wear designer dresses, ride heavy automobiles and live in great mansions. The Bible gives us a different set of criteria to determine who is worthy of respect. Firstly, old people should be respected. “‘You shall rise before the gray headed and honor the presence of an old man, and fear your God: I am the Lord.” Leviticus 19:32 NKJV. Secondly, gospel workers are to be respected. “Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.” I Timothy 5:17 NKJV. In Psalm 15, we are enjoined to respect those who fear God, no matter their physical status or material fortune. Finally from our text, we are to honour all people. This is because every human being has a measure of dignity.