PODCAST
May the Lord Be With You
August 6th, 2010
Extreme greed and self-centeredness; the pursuit of personal gain without regard for the harm done to others: today, some might call this “the dark side of capitalism.”
In Amos’s day, the poor were caught in a vicious, downward spiral perpetuated by the wealthy. They earned lower wages, received less for their goods, and paid more for taxes, food, and other necessities. Desperate borrowers were overcharged by lenders who used their influence to gain further advantage. Rather than being protected as God intended, the poor and powerless were exploited, oppressed, robbed, and enslaved.
God has harsh words regarding those engaged in such behavior. Their evil deeds are an affront He will not ignore or allow to continue unpunished. Relationship with God and others go hand-in-hand. It is impossible to be at one with God while mistreating those He loves.
August 6th, 2010 at 11:11 am
looks like history repeats itself