I’m for God and for People

The Occupy Wall Street protest seems to be heating up. More people are showing up in NYC protesting the greed of the wealthy and powerful. More protests are popping up around the country. I’ve been thinking about making a trip into the city to see for myself what these people are all about. I hear they have free food. Maybe that will make it worth the cost of the train fare.

At the same time, Tea Party people are meeting around the country calling for smaller government and fewer taxes. I’m not going to attend one of their meetings. I’m tired of hearing about how tax cuts will solve everything. Jesus said render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s. I say pay your taxes and shut up.

Jesus avoided talking about politics, and so I try to keep away from the subject as well. However, Jesus didn’t ignore what was going on around him, and neither do I. So this week I ask the question, how would Jesus deal with the current state of affairs in our country? Would Jesus offer us any solutions to our current economic crisis?

A good passage for answering this question is Luke 12:32-34:

Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

When Jesus refers to a “treasure in heaven” he is talking about honoring God. He is telling us to put our faith and trust in God and offer to Him our grateful thanks. When Jesus says; “sell your possessions and give to the poor” he is telling us to love and care for our brothers and sisters of this world. Jesus was very consistent with his message. Love God and Love People. That would be on the sign he would hold up if he were at the Wall Street protest.

I believe Jesus would respond to the current crisis by telling us to honor God and love people. He would say that if we approach our problems with these two ideas in the forefront, we would find our solutions. God wants us to be happy and prosperous, but not at the expense of the people around us. God wants us to feel good about ourselves, but not at the expense of ignoring the praise and thanksgiving that goes to God. God wants the world to be a wonderful place, but only if we Love God and Love People will we reach that goal.

And so when I wander into the Big Apple, I’m sure I will meet and lot of interesting people with a lot of interesting ideas. I’m sure I will be bombarded with lots of messages from all over the political spectrum. But God will be reminding me what this life is really all about. Keeping the faith and caring for the people.

God bless you,

Pastor Bill