Admonition XVII: A humble servant of God

Humble service for Francis meant two things. He says firstly: 'Blessed is that servant who no more exalts himself over the good the Lord says or does through him than over what He says or does through another'. It has been noted before in these pages how Francs regarded himself as a poor servant of the Lord. He said that if anyone else had received what he had been given they would be far holier than he. So whatever good he saw in others he took it for granted that the person was doing more than he was. Francis could not exalt himself because he was aware of his sinfulness. But he could rejoice over the good done by others. This is one aspect of a humble service of God. The second characteristic of humble service is that 'a person sins who wishes to receive more from his neighbour than what he wishes to give of himself to the Lord God'. While I am not sure what Francis meant by these words, I can see a meaning in the following way. If we are more occupied in our minds with our neighbour than we are with God, then we are looking for more from a neighbour than from God. Our Lord said that where our heart is there is our treasure [Lk 12:34]. If we think more often of our neighbour than of God then we are looking for more from a neighbour than from God. Strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well [Mt 6:33].