Governmental Waste

The highest test of a civilization is its willingness to extend a helping hand to the less fortunate. Like an individual, it lifts itself up by lifting others up.

Booker T. Washington

Read

Let's look at Ecclesiastes 5:8-9 today. Write a sentence long summary of what Solomon is saying. Do you know anyone in this situation? When was the last time you were frustrated at the oppression of the poor?

Think

It is easy to place blame on governments for the oppression of the poor. It's easy to be angry at
corrupt and powerful politicians for the plight of those less fortunate than us. And that anger is justified. But why are we surprised? Power has always had a corrupting influence, and it is the rare and special person who is not affected.

When we hear of governments skimming relief aid and taking bribes from large companies, and when we see the oppression and genocide that runs rampant throughout the world, and we feel the white hot flames of social justice rising in our cheeks, let's remember that these atrocities are not new, and let's temper our outcry with what Paul tells us in Romans:

Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore he who resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath upon the one who practices evil. Wherefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience' sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.

Romans 13:1-7

But never, never expect utopia to come to a Capitol near you. Heaven on earth cannot be established at the ballot box, but only through the hearts of men. One day we will see the descent of the New Jerusalem, and there will be at last, one Governor before whom we'll bow, with no more use for intermediaries; one Party to serve, with no more use for debate or dissention; one Lord, one faith, one baptism into the world that has always been our destiny as His divine constituency.

David Jeremiah, Searching for Heaven on Earth

Pray

Make it a point this week to pray for the oppressed, that they will find relief from their trouble, and that you might be an agent for that relief in some way. While you do that, pray that you would be willing to submit to and show appropriate respect for those in governmental positions.

Do

As you watch the news, read the paper, and talk to friends about the world situation this week, make it a point to speak respectfully of those in governmental positions, and look for ways that you can personally be involved in caring for those who are oppressed by powerful people.

God In My Pocket

We learn by using what we already know as a bridge over which we pass to the unknown. It is not possible for the mind to crash suddenly past the familiar into the totally unfamiliar. Even the most vigorous and daring mind is unable to create something out of nothing by a spontaneous act of the imagination.

A.W. Tozer, The Knowledge of the Holy

Read
Today's passage is Ecclesiastes 5:1-7. Keep in mind the last time you were in a worship service. How are these attitudes similar to your own? Solomon addresses 3 areas in which we tend to use God. Can you spot them?

Think
We operate from what we know and what we think is best. That's really all we can do, isn't it? Too often, though, what we know is incomplete. Especially when things are going wrong or when our lives don't turn out quite like we'd hoped, we default to 3 basic responses:

Blaming God
Verse 1- Has your mom ever said "watch your step" as a warning to be careful how you speak to her? Or as my dad still says, "watch it." It's easy to get so fed up with oppression and the evils of the world that we approach God carelessly, forgetting that He is really the One with perfect knowledge and eternal perspective. No matter how frustrated we become, we should always remember that He is God and we are not.

Lashing Out
Verses 2-3- We are all hurt and angry at circumstances in our lives. None of us get through this life unscathed. The easiest thing for us to do, especially in the heat of our emotion, is to speak rashly in anger. Before we lash out at the One who is working all things for our good, let's stop to think that He is in Heaven, we are on earth, and our foolishness cannot be hidden once spoken.

Bribes Galore
Verses 4-7- Have you ever said, "God, if you get me out of this, I'll..."? These days it's no big deal to break a promise, but Scripture makes it clear that the wise person is someone who keeps his word. Especially when dealing with someone who is so high above us, care should be taken that we are not frivolous with our vows. Let's be careful that we are not attempting to bribe God, as if we could.

"Forgiving God is a term I'd rather avoid. It implies that God has done something wrong that requires our pardon. We should underline the statement that by the perfection of his nature, He will not and cannot do wrong. What seems like misdeed is mystery. The important thing to remember is that His love and compassion are perfect, unbroken, and forever."

David Jeremiah, Searching for Heaven on Earth

Pray

Ask God to help you see Him at work in the events all around you, to help you be aware of His Presence. Thank Him for the calamities He's helped you avoid, and ask Him to help you trust that He knows what He's doing when hard times come.

Do

Concentrate on your attitudes toward God as you read this. Are you angry at Him for something? Do you try to use God to get out of sticky situations? Are you quick to blame Him for the bad circumstances in your life? Look around at things that happen all around you. For what can you be thankful? How does God take care of you on a daily basis?