“By justice a king builds up the land, but he who exacts gifts tears it down.” Proverbs 29:4
Devotional Thought For The Day
The commentators add sage insight on the basis of this proverb – and expand its application to many aspects of corrupt governance. Justice, equitable and fair principles that are universally applied to all citizens makes for a healthy society and nation. This includes not only fair and consistent application of the laws to all people regardless of wealth or socioeconomic status, but also laws that keep the playing field level, laws that disallow the wealthy or privileged to exploit the poor and disadvantaged. Many of the troubles in our country today have to do with a very basic and inherent selfishness, on the part of those who are wealthy and on the part of those who are highly ambitious and seek to gain greater wealth. Such selfishness ignores the plight of others who may be struggling just to survive; the goal and vision is singularly one’s own advantage. When such blindness prevails no one notices the oppression of the poor and disadvantaged, and no cares what desperation develops within them until it breaks out in criminal behavior that directly impacts their selfish concerns. Then the hue and cry for justice is raucous, and those in power find it easy to appease those who are doing well. However, sooner or later those being unjustly abused must also cry out against the injustice that prevails against them. And all of us are to some degree responsible for the barbaric violence that occurs within impoverished areas of our nation, even when it does not impact us directly.
We have the idea that when things are going well for me they must also be going well for everyone else, the whole nation. This may be true if we take only certain facts into consideration – like growth in “gross national product” or growth in average wealth. But these aspects of national well-being do not take into consideration growing disparity between those who have and those who have not, or the growing despair of those who find the struggle to survive and thrive more challenging and excruciating. When a nation, a society, ignores the needs, health, and happiness of all or its citizens and neighbors, it is surely generating injustice, immorality, lawlessness, and ultimately even more serious troubles. While this tearing down of the lowliest may remain unseen for a long time it is nonetheless real and serious, and it surely erodes the moral fabric of the whole society. It entrenches dynamics that ultimately threaten the well-being of everyone, forces that may ultimately tear apart the whole social fabric. Poverty and inequity, if left unaddressed, always grows upward, sucking more and more people into it – finally claiming people we know and love. If you are unaware that this is epidemic in America you need to spend some time touring the many inner cities and poor rural areas of our nation. Virtually every city and town has evidences of this blight. The sights are depressing and sickening – nothing like the America that we envision, hope for, and cherish.
We should also remember the numerous places in Scripture that assure us of God’s watchfulness over the poor, needy, and vulnerable, and His approbation toward the wealthy and greedy. In addition to the destructive natural dynamics that prevail in unjust societies, His hand of discipline will also weigh heavy upon unjust government and upon those in society whose greed and selfishness crushes the poor and perpetuates poverty and human squalor. This includes not only those nations which abuse and ignore their own poor but also those nations whose greed contributes to human misery in other countries. We might wonder why we have an immigration problem; we might want to start by asking what we’ve done to contribute to the poverty and unhealthiness of those whose desperation presses them to violate our laws and borders, or what we haven’t done to help alleviate their misery. When God’s hand comes upon us our ready excuses and justifications will fall on deaf ears; God is more convinced by what He sees than by our words.
We cannot expect corporations to suddenly develop a conscience; their charge and task is financial success, and all decisions will be made with that goal in mind. Rather, it is individuals who will make a difference, those in whom the values of love, decency, goodness, kindness, and selflessness are developed. It is unlikely that those who are bereft of the knowledge of God’s love and compassion for all people will have the wisdom and benevolence of long-range thinking and planning for the greater good of our nation; even wealthy philanthropists insure that their privileged position is well-protected. So the actual work on the ground will have to be done by those who have been reborn and transformed by God’s love in Christ; but a good bit of American greed and ambition remains even within Christians and the church. So there is need for continuing repentance and growth in God’s love, so that more and more Christians become devoted to the plight of those who suffer economic exploitation and institutional injustice. It is the right thing for us to do, God-pleasing and in keeping with our Father’s character; it is also good for our nation, our children, grandchildren, friends, and neighbors. Hopefully we will be able to see a renewal of genuine love and decency and an increased potential for greater health and happiness for all people. If not, our future appears to be dismal and grim. Let us pray for God’s mercy and blessing!
Prayer For The Day
Dear Lord Jesus, forgive us for the inordinate and impious focus we have on our own privilege, pleasure, and wealth, and our callous disregard for the suffering that goes on around us each day. Help us especially to have mercy and compassion for our own impoverished and vulnerable citizens, and to advocate and provide for their needs. Help us also to have compassion for the poor and suffering in other countries, and to advocate equity and justice for them. For our own health, for the well-being of our own souls, we pray for Your love to change us and to increase our love for others. May we do these things while it is yet time for us to work Your will in the world. Amen.