September 20, 2007 Jeremiah 5:28-31

09/20/2007

Jeremiah 5:28-31(NRSV)

²⁸    they have grown fat and sleek.
    They know no limits in deeds of wickedness;
    they do not judge with justice
    the cause of the orphan, to make it prosper,
    and they do not defend the rights of the needy.²⁹    Shall I not punish them for these things?

says the LORD,

    and shall I not bring retribution
    on a nation such as this?³⁰    An appalling and horrible thing
    has happened in the land:³¹    the prophets prophesy falsely,
    and the priests rule as the prophets direct;
    my people love to have it so,
    but what will you do when the end comes?

It is interesting to read words written over 2000 years ago and to see how they seem to speak directly to us today.

We are a nation rich in resources and it seems that the very abundance that allows this gluttony has given birth to our wickedness. How many false religions have popped up in the last 150 years in our country? Each false religion represents a false god, an idol in the eyes of God. And in our religious busy-ness, we have neglected the poor and needy. How can I say this? Because the federal government has taken up the responsibility for charity. Charity is supposed to be the responsibility of Christians. Yet we have given it into the hands of the government.

We sit around in our air-conditioned homes and say “If I had a million dollars, I would surely give 10% to charity.” And yet we do not give 10% of what we have today. The Bible says that if you are not faithful in a little, you will not be faithful in much.

God asks the question “Shall I not punish them for these things?” What do you think? Do you let your children go unpunished for willful wrong-doing? Put aside all your religious busy-ness. Seek what God really asks of you and not what some religious charlatan rants about. The Bible holds Gods truth and He has promised to guide you personally to understand His truth.

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