Thank you for taking the time to read the Weekend Sermon this week. I want to thank the Lord for this opportunity.
Today, we will be continuing with our series of messages on the Bible and Social Justice. This week, we will be considering what the Bible has to say about the proper treatment of workers.
I believe that one of the major areas where the poor are oppressed in today's world is in the area of work and the wages that they receive for their labors. There are large multinational corporations who make billions of dollars each year who don't pay their workers enough to live a decent life. That is wrong, and the Bible makes that clear. Let's look into it.
The Bible tells us in Isaiah 58 what the Lord's opinion is of those who exploit those who work for them. Verses 3-4 state, "Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers. Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high."
The Lord is telling us that we may have an outward show of religion, but if we don't treat those who work for us in the right way it is worthless. The Lord will not even listen to those who exploit the worker.
In the New Testament book of James, we are told much the same thing. James chapter 5 verses 1-6 gives us James' rebuke against the wealthy oppressors. James said that misery was coming upon them because they hoarded their wealth. In verse 4 James states the workers were not paid what was owed to them. The cries of injustice of the workers had reached the ears of the Lord.
In the Old Testament Apocryphal book of Sirach, the condemnation against those who don't pay their workers in the right way is most harsh. Sirach 34:22 states, "To deprive an employee of his wages is to shed blood(RSVCE)".
These verses make it clear that the Lord expects us to pay a fair and decent wage to employees, and He expects it to be paid on time. There is absolutely no excuse for rich corporations and individuals to not pay a living wage to all employees. By a living wage, I mean a wage that provides a person with enough to have what is needed in life such as a good place to live, healthcare, enough to eat and something left over for some enjoyment.
There are many corporate executives who make millions of dollars while the workers are being paid as little as a couple of dollars a day. This is outrageous, and it is not in keeping with the Scriptures.
The Bible has more to say about how workers are to be treated. Everyone is entitled to time off from work. When God created the world, He rested on the seventh day. He established a Sabbath rest. Deuteronomy 5:13-15 tells us that God commanded His people to take one day off per weak. That applied to everyone and animals. They were supposed to get a day off too.
No one should have to work every single day of the week in order to make a living. No one should be worked to the point that they get ill or hurt. The Lord expects that people take care of others as we are our brother's keeper.
It all comes down to what Jesus told us in Matthew 7:12. He gave us the Golden Rule and said to do unto others as we would have done to us. Think about that if you own a business or own shares in a company. Would you want to be treated the way your workers are treated? Would you want to make the wages that you are paying? Would you think that your wages are fair?
Now, some will raise the old objections about paying what is competitive with other companies or trying to get the most profit for shareholders. Here is the problem with those arguments if you are a Christian, The Lord calls you to do what is right not what will make the most profit. You are responsible to honor and follow the will of the Lord before any board of directors or shareholders.
I believe there will be many people who will have to give an account for the way that they have exploited the poor and oppressed laborers. The world would be so much better if people thought less about maximizing profits and thought more about doing what is right and honoring God. Amen
Prayer Requests and Other Matters
I would like to thank the Lord for allowing me to have a good week in writing. I am hoping that the writing jobs keep coming as that is what I enjoying doing.
In prayer this week. please remember to pray that the fires in California will be extinguished. Pray that people will be safe, and pray for the safety of the first responders. There are also ongoing fires in the Amazon, and we need to pray that these will be put out.
Please continue to pray for those who are recovering from the storms and natural disasters. Pray for those in Japan, the Philippines and the Bahamas.
Please pray that the children who have been separated from their parents at the US border will be reunited with their parents. I heard a report today about one little girl who has been locked up away from her mom for 128 days. This is so wrong.
Remember to pray for peace in the troubled areas of this world. Pray for peace in Syria, Afghanistan, Libya and Somalia.
For our prayer focus countries this week, let us pray for those in Myanmar and Morocco. Pray that many will hear about the love of Jesus.
Next week, we will continue with our series on the Bible and Social Justice. I will post the sermon on Saturday. On Monday, I will post the verses. On Wednesday, I will post another review of a dog book. May God bless you all . Amen.
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