I was reading the early chapters of isaiah and was struck by the similarities to our christian subculture here in america. the LORD condemns Israel for their pride and their wealth, while they ignore the widow and the orphan.
I commend the churches that are doing things differently, as i know there are quite a few. but for the most part, we are doing just this. we are living in luxury, and the orphans are starving to death. maybe they arent physically starving, but they are cooped up in foster homes and orphanages where they are physically and emotionally being abused every day. we send our elderly to senior living homes, instead of welcoming them into our homes. and the list can go on.
but it is interesting, because the biggest offense that the LORD comes to is that the leaders are the worst at this.
today, sadly this is no different. i participate in a body where our head pastor is paid a low salary, as far as pastor salaries go. but in comparison to the church body, he makes more than most of the individuals. and as i said, our church is better than many. meanwhile, there are people in their congregation barely making month to month, not to mention day to day.
these people are to be leading their congregations in the way of the LORD. no wonder Israel has become proud. no wonder the widow and the orphan are neglected. if we as leaders of the church are living in luxury, if we arent willing to live as poor in this world, why would our body do any differently??!!
may we shed of the cumbersome wealth that entangles. may we lead the church to love our neighbor as ourselves, not just the rich and popular neighbor, but the rude, ugly, hungry, socially-inept, obnoxious, clingy, and poor neighbor. may we seek out those who need us the most. may we, like martin of tours, cut off half of our coat to give the other half to one who has none.
may we find true wealth, in heaven.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
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