Every morning when I was in school, we stood and said allegiance to the United States Flag. We often mumbled it but now it means more to me. We pledge allegiance to the Republic or to the form of government we have as well as the flag. We recognize this Republic is under God and exists to provide liberty and justice for all.
The image of justice many of us see is prison or death penalty. Justice is therefore retribution or eye for eye. You do the crime, you do the time. How often do we hear that? This leads to many commonly held beliefs about hot topics in this country. There is a misconception that any type of government assistance to those in need (those who are hungry, homeless, disabled, elderly, not employed, the poor) creates a dependence on "government assistance" so all government programs like food stamps (SNAP), Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security are not the role of government. This should come through charity for charity begins at home. If a person doesn't work or contribute, that person shouldn't receive any assistance. Yet, these same people who would seek to deny any form of help to the disadvantaged vote to extend tax breaks to large corporations and crop subsidies to large corporate farms so they will use the money to grow in size and create more jobs.
There is waste and fraud in all levels of government and in the business sector too. Abuse also occurs as the rich get richer and the poor stay poor. Yes, they are some exceptions were someone pulls themselves up by the bootstraps. Yet, we live in a world where politics, religion, and economy can be evil and abusive. Some businesses are like Scrooge who pay their employees a very low wage or close their plants and operations in America and seek cheaper wages to sell products cheaper.
On the other hand, there are those who believe big corporations who make outlandish profits are evil for they exploit their employees to make the big money they the big corporation distributes to shareholders as dividends. They seek tax the rich heavily and not give tax breaks to corporations. They are very pro-employee.
As a Christian, I have been faced with these issues as an employee, a pastor, a father, and as a friend. Here are the Scriptures that challenge my thoughts and question my actions:
The Final Judgment
Matthew 25
31 “But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left.
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’
37 “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’
40 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’
41 “Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons.[g] 42 For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. 43 I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’
44 “Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’
45 “And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’
46 “And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.”
44 “Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’
45 “And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’
46 “And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.”
We have pledged to support our nation as it gives liberty and justice for all. Jesus challenges us to provide help for the "least of these". Jesus calls to take action to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and provide shelter for the homeless. If we want individuals to support themselves, does this mean we expect them to be paid wages that will cover the basic human needs? On the other hand, what is our Christian responsibility to those in business? Should we demand such high wages that it makes them close their business? What is the right thing to do?
Let us never forget our pledge to the Republic that values liberty and justice for all. Let's never forget to walk and act as Jesus did. Let's never look the other way when we see someone in need. Yes, they are those who cheat, scam, and fraud our efforts. That is not excuse for lack of action.
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