James 5:1-6 Justice in Labor

James 5:1-12 NIV
Justice in regards to pay can be a balancing act. On the one side there are those in this world who get rich off of the unfair wages and labor of others. There are those who do not get paid fair wages for an awful lot of work. The rich get richer on the backs of the poor who get poorer. However, on the other side there are also those who would have everything given to them without a fair days labor given for those wages.

As some employers get rich while paying their employees minimum wages; others lose their businesses because they cannot keep up with the continual rising costs of having employees. The cost of unemployment taxes, workman's compensation, and other insurances can be prohibitive for many small businesses, eventually leading to not only loss of jobs for employees; but, for the employer, as well. I know more than one small business; although their employees do not get rich, the owner actually makes less than their employees while contributing more time and work. Just because someone owns a small business we ought to be careful not to consider that they are getting rich on the backs of their employees. Some suffer in order to provide their employees employment.

At a small group study yesterday, we reflected on how many of the first immigrants came to this country in the pursuit of freedom of religion. Today, the gods that bring people to this country are often more economic in nature. They come for many reasons. Some because of religious persecution. Others also come because of economic oppression in their own countries. Say what we will about the economic conditions of this country, we are still one of the richest in the world. We thank God for this economic freedom; but, at the same time we must beware that this economic freedom does not become a god in itself for us. As individuals, as Christians, we must strive to pay fair wages in exchange for fair labor. As individuals, we ought to strive to provide fair labor for the fair wages we are paid. We need to try to ensure that our corroded gold and silver don't become testimonies against us.

Whether we are employers or employees; whatever we do, we do it unto the Lord; so that God is glorified. Do justice for your employee and your employer so that all may eat and none should suffer.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Luke 20:1-8 Answering Questions

Luke 20:1-8 NIV
Years ago, I worked for an insurance company. My boss liked to get more personal than I thought he ought to. Whenever he asked me a personal question, I responded with a counter question. I didn't even realize I did this until he pointed out my habit of answering questions with questions. It came naturally. I didn't plan my responses. I guess it may have been a way to protect myself, my privacy.

Jesus' responses were not always direct answers to questions, either. He skirted the questions. In Luke 20 we hear him ask a question in response to a question that the priests and teachers of the law had asked as they tried to back him into a corner. They wanted to know by what authority he did the things he was doing. "He replied, 'I will also ask you a question. Tell me:  John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or of human origin?'” (vs 3-4)

The priests and teachers of the law could not answer Jesus' question. No matter how they answered, they, themselves, would be in trouble with someone, so they simply answered "we don't know." (vs 7)

Answering questions with questions will sometimes end the conversation when we are being grilled about something that is simply not for the other person to know. Sometimes, the best answer is "I don't know." The truth is we don't know a lot of things. There is nothing wrong in admitting that truth.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Jeremiah 10 - Art and Gambling: Sins?

Art is art. We are to ensure that we do not worship it.... There is only one God. We are to fear and love Him above all things.

Hear what the Lord says to you, people of Israel. This is what the Lord says:

“Do not learn the ways of the nations
    or be terrified by signs in the heavens,
    though the nations are terrified by them.
For the practices of the peoples are worthless;
    they cut a tree out of the forest,
    and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel.
They adorn it with silver and gold;
    they fasten it with hammer and nails
    so it will not totter.
Like a scarecrow in a cucumber field,
    their idols cannot speak;
they must be carried
    because they cannot walk.
Do not fear them;
    they can do no harm
    nor can they do any good.”

No one is like you, Lord;
    you are great,
    and your name is mighty in power.
Who should not fear you,
    King of the nations?
    This is your due.
Among all the wise leaders of the nations
    and in all their kingdoms,    there is no one like you." (Jer 10:1-7)

 

On my front step is a carved bear holding a welcome sign. Is this a false god or art? I propose that it is merely an art form. I do not worship it. I just happen to like black bears so my son gave it to me as a gift. This piece of art does not, in any way, come before my worship of God or of doing His will. It is not a false god. Idolatry (sin) comes into play when the objects of our affections damage the relationship we have with God and with others whom He has called us to love and serve.

 

Likewise, yesterday, the subject of gambling came up. It was suggested very strongly that any gambling is a sin. The problem with that is that most of us gamble quite often. Whenever we buy insurance we are actually betting against ourselves. We are betting that something bad is going to happen and we're going to need the insurance companies to bail us out. When we invest in stock; we are betting that the stock will go up and we will have enough to retire on when we are no longer are able to work to provide for our needs. I do not see gambling, in itself, as the sin. It becomes a sin when it begins to interfere with our relationship with God and with others. It becomes a sin when the love of money causes us to pursue this means of gain to the detriment of ourselves and our families. It becomes a sin, when every penny we have is invested in the hope of "luck" rather than the hope founded in Jesus the Christ. It becomes a sin, when our families do without necessities (even losing our homes) because we are trusting that "good fortune" will come to us by spending our days and nights in the casino. It becomes a sin when every penny left over goes to our gambling habits and there is none left for the work of the LORD. It becomes a sin when our neighbors are hungry and we have enough to share with them; but, we'd rather spend it gambling.

 

Like eating, or drinking, or many other activities, I am not convinced that gambling is a sin (though I prefer not to indulge in it, myself, as I cannot imagine trusting a slot machine to provide for me as my Father does and why would I invest the gifts He has given me to chance? I believe He would prefer I invest in His Kingdom - His people). It becomes a sin when we trust in luck (idolatry) to win unearned riches that we desire (idolatry). It becomes a sin when it becomes a priority over worshipping God and over loving and caring for our family, neighbors and friends. 

 

Jeremiah warns against idolatry, as do all the prophets. There is only one God. We should so fear, love, and trust Him above all others. There is none like Him.

 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Psalm 109 - Vengeance is God's

^"He loved to pronounce a curse—
may it come back on him.
He found no pleasure in blessing—
may it be far from him.
He wore cursing as his garment;
it entered into his body like water,
into his bones like oil.
May it be like a cloak wrapped about him,
like a belt tied forever around him.
May this be the Lord’s payment to my accusers,
to those who speak evil of me. (Psalm109:17-20 NIV)

Vengeance is the LORD's.  I have learned over the years that it is not my place to take vengeance on those who accuse me.  God will take care of me. He will take care of those who are falsely accused or accosted. He will take care of those who falsely accuse or unjustly attack others. No, I am not a pacifist. I definitely will defend others when they are attacked. There are times when we need to defend ourselves. There are times when we need to seek assistance from the law. However, there are also times, I think, that we should step back when it is we who are being attacked and let go and let God, as the saying goes.

Years ago when I was very young, I was selling insurance door to door.  At one home, a man, arrogant and full of deceit attempted to assault me.  I was pretty shaken, but I got away unharmed.  I wanted to press charges.  A co-worker, an older Christian man, talked me into not doing that. The man who had attempted to harm me was pretty well known and liked in the community.  I was a stranger.  He was a local politician. I was an insurance salesman. "Do nothing, he said. Who are the authorities going to believe? Let us pray together and leave the vengeance to God.  Let us pray that the evil he intended upon you return to him." So we did.

Did God answer our prayers?  You tell me.  The following week, while the man was at work, his  wife left him. With his new convertible filled with his precious electronics in the trunk, she and her boyfriend sped away from the house and wrecked his vehicle. It hit the newspapers. The car and the contents were totalled. His wife and her boyfriend were unharmed, but his ego was definitely done in. He was no longer the prideful man he had been the week before.

Sure, there are days, still, when I would like to take vengeance.  But, I learned that day, almost forty years ago, to leave vengeance to God. He will take care of me. He always has. Why would He not continue?

Remember, your curses against others are prayers. Prayers that just might return and turn upon you. Watch what comes out of your lips - prefer blessings to curses - as what you do to others may be done to you.

"He loved to pronounce a curse—may it come back on him." (vs 17)
God's blessings and peace - Pr. J
 

Ezra 7 - Taxes and Tributes

Ezra is on the scene...

But, I think I really like this King Artaxerxes - no taxes or tributes are to be charged to any of the servants of the house of God!  Having just paid estimated income taxes in June, more due next month, and began paying property taxes this month, (It usually takes a couple of months to get them all completely paid) I can really appreciate this edict! 

Two things Americans have to be careful to budget for, as they are major parts of our expenses, are insurances and TAXES!  Between the various insurances and taxes that I pay, I am estimating that about 50% (maybe more) of my income disappears and believe me I am not in the upper class income tax range - definitely lower middle-class income.  So this morning, I am marveling at a leader like Artaxerxes. 

At the same time, I thank God that He abundantly supplies all my needs so that I am able to pay these taxes and tributes!