Daily Worship

Fraud and injustice

October 27, 2016 0 0

Amos 8:4-6

Amos 8:4 – 6 (also 5:1 – 15, 21 – 24)

Hear this, you who trample the needy
    and do away with the poor of the land,

saying,

‘When will the New Moon be over
    that we may sell grain,
and the Sabbath be ended
    that we may market wheat?’–
skimping on the measure,
    boosting the price
    and cheating with dishonest scales,
buying the poor with silver
    and the needy for a pair of sandals,
    selling even the sweepings with the wheat.

One thing, above all, is clear from Amos’ prophecies – the God of Israel detests fraud and injustice in trading. It is the equivalent of worship that dishonours God. What God seeks is ‘justice in the gate’, that is a city marked by justice in every aspect of its life. What then of farmers paid less than it costs to rear livestock or produce milk? What of large companies paying less than the economic rate to their suppliers? And what of producers in the poorer countries paid a pittance for items that will sell as luxury goods in the rich West?

 

God of the poor,
help us to see how neighbours near and far are suffering,
their resources stolen by unjust people and systems;
and guide us that we may be inspired to use our gifts of time and money and talent
in ways that redress injustice and renew life for all.

Jesus revealed your kingdom in parables that spoke of simple things:
yeast in a loaf of bread, a woman sweeping her home.
Grant that the simple choices we make: 
what tea to drink, what fruit to eat, where and how to shop –
may honour your name and reveal your kingdom present among us.  

Our choices are small things that can be signs of God’s kingdom.