Trickle Down Systemic Sin

Ezekiel 22:23-31 NLT

Again a message came to me from the Lord: “Son of man, give the people of Israel this message: In the day of my indignation, you will be like a polluted land, a land without rain. Your princes plot conspiracies just as lions stalk their prey. They devour innocent people, seizing treasures and extorting wealth. They make many widows in the land. Your priests have violated my instructions and defiled my holy things. They make no distinction between what is holy and what is not. And they do not teach my people the difference between what is ceremonially clean and unclean. They disregard my Sabbath days so that I am dishonored among them. Your leaders are like wolves who tear apart their victims. They actually destroy people’s lives for money! And your prophets cover up for them by announcing false visions and making lying predictions. They say, ‘My message is from the Sovereign Lord,’ when the Lord hasn’t spoken a single word to them. Even common people oppress the poor, rob the needy, and deprive foreigners of justice. “

I looked for someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn’t have to destroy the land, but I found no one. So now I will pour out my fury on them, consuming them with the fire of my anger. I will heap on their heads the full penalty for all their sins. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!”

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One of the economic policies of the past 30 years was termed "trickle down" but it's not new. And the policy falls over in the same way that communism did. Both systems assume people are good. The conservatives think the rich will be kind and benevolent and the liberals think people will be honest and fair.
But just like this indictment from God through Ezekiel to God's people nearly three thousand years ago shows people haven't changed. Enlightened, educated, informed people at all levels of society take advantage of those under them.
What does seem to trickle down is corruption. So the result is oppression and suffering at every level. And everyone is in on it. The aristocracy harms the weak and their good position is not used for justice. The religious elite fail to fulfil their duty and don't set an upright example. The leaders of the people abuse their position and so destroy others for their own financial gain. The Prophets collude with the leaders. And the common person is abusive to the vulnerable too.

The result is the wrath of God!

Even with all the evil corruption God sought out people who would help rebuild a society of protection. God looked for individuals that would be a voice for the poor, the weak and the oppressed. But no one took seriously God's word. None were willing to 'stand in the gap.'

Although we should aspire to be better and although we should want leaders without corruption, men are never going to be truly trustworthy.

We must trust God who is the only one not corrupt. We must trust God who stands in the gap. We must trust Jesus who was a voice for the poor and oppressed. Our only hope is to hide behind the very one who can judge us. The only safe place is by the judge.

If you want a society that is right don't look to men, look to God.

(written while playing with my nearly three year old grandson .)

Are you a delivery service?

Psalms 82:3-4 NLT

“Give justice to the poor and the orphan; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute. Rescue the poor and helpless; deliver them from the grasp of evil people.

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Whose job is it to help the poor? Child of God it is yours! You are God's hands and feet. You are his eyes and the means he'll use to rescue the poor. God wants you to help the needy.

In what ways are you reducing the oppression of the poor? How are you making sure the courts are just? Have you helped the orphan or widow?

Often the rich are preferred over the poor.

The poor are made to feel shame for their situation. They are humiliated, looked down on because their clothes aren't nice enough, they don't have cars, nice homes, good gadgets or terrific holidays.

Don't make the poor feel shame.

Lift then up. Then you will be like God and show you are part of his family.

Thoughts on being poor.

How or why is blessing is often equated with wealth and ease.

People usually think it is a blessing to be rich, but the Bible warns us against wanting to be rich. Why are we to be cautious about wealth?

Job 1:1-5 NLT

There once was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless—a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil. He had seven sons and three daughters. He owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 teams of oxen, and 500 female donkeys. He also had many servants. He was, in fact, the richest person in that entire area. Job’s sons would take turns preparing feasts in their homes, and they would also invite their three sisters to celebrate with them. When these celebrations ended—sometimes after several days—Job would purify his children. He would get up early in the morning and offer a burnt offering for each of them. For Job said to himself, “Perhaps my children have sinned and have cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular practice.

What problems did riches not solve for Job?

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Why is poverty is seen far too often as a curse brought on oneself.

Job 1:20-22 NLT

Job stood up and tore his robe in grief. Then he shaved his head and fell to the ground to worship. He said, “I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord !” In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God.

It is a shame in this world to be poor. The poor are treated with contempt and often thought of as lazy or lacking good moral character. Many people think poverty is a curse brought upon people for their own ignorance or sin.  How is that view challenged and supported by Job’s story?

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What is the relationship between health and wealth?

Job 2:4-5 NLT

Satan replied to the Lord , “Skin for skin! A man will give up everything he has to save his life. But reach out and take away his health, and he will surely curse you to your face!”

How does wealth effect health?  Why are the poor vulnerable?  What value is wealth to a very sick person? What does Satan think of the relationship of health and wealth?

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What does an admirable righteous life look like?

Job 29:12-17 NLT

For I assisted the poor in their need and the orphans who required help. I helped those without hope, and they blessed me. And I caused the widows’ hearts to sing for joy. Everything I did was honest. Righteousness covered me like a robe, and I wore justice like a turban. I served as eyes for the blind and feet for the lame. I was a father to the poor and assisted strangers who needed help. I broke the jaws of godless oppressors and plucked their victims from their teeth.

Why did Job tell us about what he did for the poor?

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What does a just life consist of?

Job 31:6, 16-25 NLT

Let God weigh me on the scales of justice, for he knows my integrity. “Have I refused to help the poor, or crushed the hopes of widows? Have I been stingy with my food and refused to share it with orphans? No, from childhood I have cared for orphans like a father, and all my life I have cared for widows. Whenever I saw the homeless without clothes and the needy with nothing to wear, did they not praise me for providing wool clothing to keep them warm? “If I raised my hand against an orphan, knowing the judges would take my side, then let my shoulder be wrenched out of place! Let my arm be torn from its socket! That would be better than facing God’s judgment. For if the majesty of God opposes me, what hope is there? “Have I put my trust in money or felt secure because of my gold? Have I gloated about my wealth and all that I own?

According to Job what should a wealthy person do with their wealth?
And what should they not do with their wealth?

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What do people think of God's opinion of the poor?

Job 34:28 NLT

They cause the poor to cry out, catching God’s attention. He hears the cries of the needy.

Job got a lot of bad advice from his friends and family. But among all this we learn a bit of what people think about God's view of the poor.  How does the view expressed here similar or different to views you encounter today?  What about among Muslims, Christians, conservatives, democrats, labour, Buddhists, Hindus?
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Psalms & Proverbs

Psalms 140:12 NLT

But I know the Lord will help those they persecute; he will give justice to the poor.

Proverbs 14:31 NLT

Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but helping the poor honors him.

19:17 - - God identifys with the poor.
22:09 - - Blessing is associated with helping the poor.
28:03 - - What are the consequences of individual oppression?
31:8-9 -  -  We are told to defend the poor.



Psalms 82:3-4 NLT

“Give justice to the poor and the orphan; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute. Rescue the poor and helpless; deliver them from the grasp of evil people.

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Gospels

Matthew 11:5
Luke 4:18, 11:41

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Jesus

2 Corinthians 8:9

Became poor so we could be rich.

How can we change our thinking about wealth and poverty?

In what ways can we be like Jesus concerning or attitudes of wealth and poverty?

What does it mean to be just or righteous towards the poor?

In what ways specifically van we change?
How will this change of view effect our spending, our earning, our giving, or generosity?
How proactive for the poor should we become?
Can you think of other places in the Bible that addresses the disparity between rich and poor in the Bible?  (James)

Further related thoughts :

http://williambode.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/1-timothy-66-10-nlt-yet-true-godliness.html?m=1

http://williambode.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/there-should-be-some-equality.html?m=1

http://williambode.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/why-do-you-want-to-make-it-so-hard-on.html?m=1

http://williambode.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/what-is-your-fate.html?m=1

Psalms 112:9 NLT They share freely and give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will be remembered forever. They will have influence and honor. Psalms 146:6-9 NLT He made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them. He keeps every promise forever. He gives justice to the oppressed and food to the hungry. The Lord frees the prisoners. The Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are weighed down. The Lord loves the godly. The Lord protects the foreigners among us. He cares for the orphans and widows, but he frustrates the plans of the wicked.