- Ezekial 18:5-9; Not helping the poor is the same as oppressing them. When I do not oppress the poor I will not hesitate to “give bread to the hungry and cover the naked with clothing.” Oppressing the poor and needy is equated with (v 11-13) defiling my neighbor's wife, committing robbery, idol worship, and usury. The result of which is… death. Seems to me God’s righteousness requirement for me is to respond “fairly.”
- How do I respond fairly when the needs are so great, stories are exaggerated, and the faces of the poor coming for assistance never seem to change? By executing true justice – not man’s justice – but a justice that provides for love, mercy, and grace – equipping and encouraging people through relationships that (v23), rather than taking pleasure in the circumstances and death of the wicked, that they might turn and live. But in order for that to happen I must “Therefore, repent and live” (V32).
- Father, forgive the callousness of my heart and may your justice and righteousness guide my steps and guard my heart in all my relationships … for Christ’s glory, Amen.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Least of these, Study pt 2
What is a righteous response?
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2 comments:
When we turn people out into the cold, so that we can keep our "rules" do we not make a mockery of true justice? How can we justify allowing people to stay on the streets because they don't live up to the standards that WE think they should live up to? Is God going to judge us for giving people the condition of obeying our rules, rather than us obeying His rule, which is to love all men because of Him? So then, if I choose not to believe in God, or perhaps I make a mistake and a disobey your man-made rule and you think it just to put me out in the cold, will you then be blessed? I hope not, for you make a mockery of God before the unbelievers.
Dear anonymous,
Even though it was painful to read I am glad you took the time to share your thoughts. And I am sure there is much more in your comments than what you were able to share in a short paragraph. I will tell you this, the staff at the mission struggle trying to figure out how to respond to the vast need that is presented at our doorstep every day. How I wish things like sexual abuse, absentee fathers, drug addiction, eviction notices, domestic violence, child neglect, and bad breaks didn't exist. These issues in and of themselves are terribly complex; and when homelessness is added the situation seems almost hopeless. To my regret, I am absolutely sure that we have erred in some of our decisions through the years. It is certainly not our desire that anyone be 'put out' and especially in the cold! If someone hasn't 'meshed well' with our environment - and couldn't stay here for whatever reason - the staff will work hard to get them to another place more compatible to them. Candidly, we are looking at some of our 'expectations' right now and evaluating their effectiveness. Yet, though we might vary what these expectations are, or the amount, or how they are applied, etc., nevertheless, there will always be some kind of expectation in effect if only to maintain safety for the close to 200 other guests who live here. There is much more to say but I will close now. I can only assume that you have a great concern for those who find themselves homeless. I would encourage you to get in touch with me as I would benefit from hearing some of your insight related to this issue. I would guess that our chat would be of great benefit to me and the program here. So I leave it to you to respond should you see fit.
Under His Mercy,
Steve
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