I recently read of the plight of “370,000 . . . ordinary middle-class people” forced to rummage “in stinking piles of rubbish for rotten cabbage leaves.” Hundreds of thousands of people in the country were scavenging for food while members of the political upper crust were “enjoying lavish parties and gourmet cuisine.” The article revealed unjust conditions and the failure of governmental leaders to do the right thing to help their people.
The prophet Amos similarly brought strong words to Israel and its upper crust for “partying on” while the poor suffered. He described the corrupt wealthy as “fat cows” who called out, “Bring us another drink!” even as they “[oppressed] the poor and [crushed] the needy” (Amos 4:1).
It’s interesting to note that the very people Amos condemned were offering sacrifices. The problem? They were giving offerings to Yahweh, but their purpose in doing so was simply for themselves (Amos 4:4-5). Worship that’s offered with complete indifference to the suffering of others is deeply offensive to God.
God in His holiness (His perfect nature) lovingly disciplined His erring people so that they would turn to Him and pursue justice. But the haunting refrain found five times in chapter 4 reveals their stone-cold hearts: “But still you would not return to me” (Amos 4:6,8,9,10,11).
Scripture reveals that God loves all people and wants us to care for those in need (Jeremiah 22:3; 1 John 3:17). If we’ve grown cold in our compassion for the poor and oppressed—partying on while they remain in misery—it’s time to repent and return to Him. And as our all-powerful God provides (Amos 4:13), may we share sacrificially with others today.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Esther 5:1-14
More:
Read James 2:15-16 and consider how you can help the needy in your life.
Next:
How can it become easy to overlook the plight of the poor and needy? How does God’s love and compassion compel you to generously share with others?
sandy229 on May 6, 2017 at 12:04 am
Amos exemplifies God’s commitment to forewarn His people of impending judgement in order to give them the opportunity to repent. God sent the prophet Amos as His spokesperson of warning to Israel. Like a trumpet blown to warn a city of attack, so God speaks through His prophets to warn His people in order to save them from destruction.
God sent calamity on His people to turn them back to Him. Learn from Israel’s mistakes. Turn from sin, and quickly return to the Lord when He convicts you of wrong doing ( 1 Corinthians 10:1-11).
Tom Felten on May 8, 2017 at 9:43 am
Good thoughts, Sandy. I’m reminded of David’s prayer in Psalm 51: 1, “Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins.”
Gary Shultz on May 6, 2017 at 3:47 am
Hi Tom: A nice tie in with ODB. Christ said “the poor will always be with you”. He didn’t say that means that it’s okay to ignore them. If we think about it Christ also said, “I will never leave you” just because there is solid continuity doesn’t mean either should be ignored, it just means it’s a constant. To me in the life of a christian, so should be planning for the poor. We should always be evaluating the things we do with our resources. Yes, I think God will be watching us as to how we share some of our blessings. Just like how we forgive, how do we bless. Do we really need, all the shows on cable, do we really need the latest luxury car? Okay that’s for each person to answer, but Amos does a nice job of laying some perspective beside life style. Yes the poor will always be with you and, we should always be with the poor. Thanks Tom
hsnpoor on May 6, 2017 at 4:47 pm
Love the last line, Gary! Very good words to remember and act accordingly.
Tom Felten on May 8, 2017 at 9:46 am
Gary, yes, may we continue to “be with” those who are poor in physical, emotional, and spiritual need!
sandy229 on May 6, 2017 at 10:03 am
It is our duty to help those who are in need, and the homeless comes to mind when I hear this. Not only them but sometimes people around us need our help but they are afraid to ask. They let pride get in the way of asking for help. You can’t condemn them for this, but you can offer to help them and let them know that you have been in this situation before and you know how it feels, or if you haven’t been in this situation, you can tell them that you just can’t imagine what it would be like to be in their position. God wants us to help all those in need, and we can be an example by helping others.
minkjh on May 6, 2017 at 2:18 pm
Thanks Tom, this is so spot on for us today. We see throughout the Old Testament two chief issues that God’s prophets were called to address: idolatry and social injustice, problems that persist among us now. While many churches have stepped up to the plate when the state has failed to act responsively on social issues, some have taken definitive political stances almost at the expense of diminishing the preaching of the Gospel. That’s shaky ground upon which to stand. No question this issue requires spiritual discernment. Care for the poor and marginalized is commanded by God but scripture also calls out those who refuse to labor for their bread. We need to distinguish between those who cannot provide for themselves and those who will not. Paul reflects on this in the third chapter of his second letter to the Thessalonian congregation.
Tom Felten on May 8, 2017 at 9:49 am
Truly helpful words, minkjh. I’m reminded of a book I read a few years ago titled “When Helping Hurts.” The book speaks of ministering to others through missions—being careful to not simply provide and give to people in need, but to prayerfully look deeper at what will truly be most beneficial for them.
hsnpoor on May 9, 2017 at 9:13 pm
Thank you, Tom!
hsnpoor on May 6, 2017 at 4:52 pm
GG, I haven’t been on ODJ in a long time. Like you, I’ve got some life issues that are wearing my behind down & out right now. But, also like you, I’m sure, this too will pass. In case you’re still looking in and keeping up, just wanted to say I’m thinking of you and prayed for you today. May the love,of God rain down on you. Keep your head to the sky!
Tom Felten on May 8, 2017 at 9:50 am
Praying for both you and GG today!
hsnpoor on May 6, 2017 at 5:02 pm
Amos is my favorite prophet of the Old Testament and James is my 2nd favorite book of the New Testament (Romans beat out James but just by a hair). Both books are slim but just packed full of powder like dynamite! They both tell it like it is, shoot straight and don’t stutter. I’ll never forget the first time I read Amos 4:1 where he called the women of Bashan cows! That is a vision that I experience every day where I live among people who have a good deal more money than sense or sensibilities. It’s disconcerting and demoralizing, but more worrisome, it’s contagious like an infectious disease. I’ve gotta get outta this place.
Tom Felten on May 8, 2017 at 9:53 am
Perhaps God has you there to help them see the Source of true life and fulfillment.
hsnpoor on May 9, 2017 at 9:17 pm
Ya think? I’ll have to pray on that. I keep thinking it’s so much easier to fall down than it is to get up (which is why I don’t enjoy skiing) and I’m getting too old for the mission. In spite of those negative thoughts, you more than likely make an excellent observation and point and I’m gonna meditate on that. Thank you for the perspective.