"Jesus was growing in wisdom, stature and grace before God and men."
(Luke 2:52)
In part, Abraham Maslow's (1908 -1970) Theory of Human Needs explains the preference for the stratification system in social classes, characteristic of open capitalist societies, USA and Brazil, despite their inequalities. In this system, it is not understood to treat unequal people equally, thus, the individual who sows in studies and talents will not be treated in the same way as those who sow in other directions, or not to sow. It is the law of sowing, the law of the spiritual world with application in the social world. Naturally, people who demand efforts in the direction of teaching will have a social ascension determined by their qualities, merits and professional achievements. It's the harvest
Among the advantages of stratification in social classes, there is the possibility of social mobility, changing the position of the individual: The "status" of a person (or group). It is easy to understand: Social stratification is the distribution of people or groups in hierarchical layers of society, observing that the needs and objectives of individuals demand a change of position. Therefore, social mobility is a natural movement of the human being. It is precisely at this point, the possibility of social mobility, that we base our preference for the stratification system in social classes, the most adequate to the needs of modern societies. The individual is the central element of the system.
Abraham Maslow (1908-1970) formulated a theory of motivation, known as Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. According to a dynamic process of integration of biological, psychological and social factors, Maslow studied motivation, concluding that the actions of human beings are a function of their needs. Maslow noticed a certain order of priorities among needs, and classified them into five categories: physiological, security, social, "status" and self-realization. Transporting this theory to the spiritual world, the truth of Maslow's conclusions is verified, citing the example of the biblical passage of Jesus' temptation in the desert (Matthew 4: 1-11). The Holy Spirit took Jesus into the desert to be tempted, and after fasting forty days and forty nights, Jesus was hungry.
”The tempter came to him and said: If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread. ” (Matthew 4:3)
If you are the Son of God? First the tempter raised doubts about Jesus' identity. Then there is temptation at the level of physiological need (hunger). However, Jesus' response came by the Word of God.
“Jesus answered, "It is written: Man does not live on bread alone, but on
every word that comes from the mouth of God. ”
(Matthew 4:4)
“Then the devil took him to the holy city, and had him stand on the highest poit of the temple."If you are the Son of God", he said "throw yourself down. For it is written: "He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that will
not strike your foot against a stone.”
(Matthew 4: 5-6)
If you are the Son of God?" For the second time the tempter raised doubts about Jesus' identity. Then he urged him to exalt himself (ego elevation), a temptation at the level of the need for "status". But Jesus' answer came from the Word of God.
"Jesus answered him," It is also written: Do not put the Lord your God to the test."
(Matthew 4:7)
“Again, the devil took to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. All this I will give you, "if you will bow down and worship me.”
(Matthew 4:8-9)
The third time the tempter urged Jesus to seek the glory of the world, rejecting God (seeking power). Temptation in terms of the need for "status". However, Jesus' definitive answer came through the Word of God.
“Jesus said to him: "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only. Then the devil left him, and angels came and attentded him.”
(Matthew 4: 10-11)
Having made this addendum in the spiritual world explaining the veracity of Maslow's motivational theory, we return to the discussion of our preference for stratification in social classes, comparing it with other systems. The time of the castes; rigid and closed stratification system in which the individual's social position was inherited from his ancestors. Social ascension was not allowed, through the individual's qualities, merits and professional achievements, so imagine the oppression and class struggles in the caste. A recent example is that of India, until 1950. The caste system was abolished, but it persists today in some regions of that country.
Medieval time; comparing the stratification system in social classes with feudalism. A system composed of semi-closed social layers, with state stratification, feudalism presented some traits of the castes, such as the social position inherited from the ancestors. In some cases, however, the individual's social ascension was possible. Although it was difficult.
In addition to the stratification system in social classes, it is concluded that the others seem to be contrary to human nature, to the satisfaction of human needs and life goals. Think with me: The Christian has at his disposal the Holy Bible, guidance manual, and we have in Brazil a system of social stratification that allows social ascension through people's qualities, merits and professional achievements. So it's time to set your goals - what do you want to achieve? Think broadly about your goals, but beware of the temptations of life, beware of the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the pride of life. Beware of doubts about your true identity.
The model is Jesus. Jesus grew and became aware of his mission over time. Imagine the obstacles that Jesus had to overcome during the earthly journey. Be sure, if the time of Jesus' first coming were today, the Gospel would be taught and the goals achieved. After all, Jesus is God. Jesus is not subject to systems, times or anything, so that the message of the Gospel reaches all people, whether they are classes A, B, C ... We live in the time of modernity, the time of the whip and sickle has passed. So do your part, using God's weapons.
The owner of the work is Jesus.Everyone, congratulations.
We are the righteousness of God, in Christ.
Manoel Lúcio da Silva Neto is master in Production Engineering (Media and Knowledge), and author of the book, Cristologia ao seu Alcance, 2010.