Recently a co-worker sent me this article written by a Medical Doctor who is addressing the disparity between the maternity care that celebrities receive versus the poor. This is one of those elephant in the room situations. No one wants to admit that if you have money or if you’re a celebrity the attention and quality of maternity care you will receive is significantly higher than the average, poor woman. But, nearly everyone knows that is the case.

If you’re unable to pay for high quality care, a woman will likely be seen in a group session, and never receive one-on-one attention for her pre-natal care. She’ll also likely have a resident or more inexperienced medical staff at her side, despite the fact that if she’s 100% below the federal poverty level she is more likely to have a high-risk pregnancy and delivery.

As I read this article I was not only surprised at the disparity in maternity care, but I found a single question running through my head: Is this what Jesus would want? Don’t get me wrong, I’m not envisioning hospitals shutting down whole floors every time a poor woman delivers to prove that there is no disparity – that would be extravagant and silly. But it seems to me that while Jesus walked this earth He gave His best every chance He got, and usually that was in the presence of the poorest of the poor. Shouldn’t those who need something most receive it in the fullest? Jesus will be honored and glorified when we are no longer a respecter of persons (as He is not) and offer our best to those in need. I am reminded of the passage in James 2:1-7 “My brothers show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called?”

I appreciated that the author also challenged those with funds to consider helping women in need. That’s the very heartbeat of the Morning Center. When we provide high quality maternity care to women in need (for free) we will be able to exemplify the love of Christ by giving of our own resources to pay for their care. If we can win the hearts of mothers by demonstrating the same kind of charity that Jesus would show them, their babies, their families, and their entire community will be impacted.

I encourage you to read this article and resolve to give your best for Jesus to the neediest among us.

-by Elysse Barrett