What are You “Occupying”?
[NOTE: This was my front-page bulletin article this past Sunday at Lebanon Road. I rarely put my bulletin articles on this blog, but I had several compliments, so I thought it might be worth sharing. I hope you enjoy it.]
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All over our nation, groups are camping out in front of financial institutions and governmental buildings, “occupying” the space in protest of things they see as harmful to our nation. Whether or not you agree with the stance that is commonly known as “Occupy Wall Street,” you and I should be grateful that we live in a nation where such protests are allowed, so long as the participants remain peaceful.
As I have read about and listened to several reports from these protests (including the one in our own city, known online as #occupynashville), I have had mixed thoughts. I agree that several things in our nation need to change. There are several things—politically and economically—that give me concern about the future of our nation.
I have a different plan for turning things around, though. While I respect those who are standing up for their beliefs, I don’t think the answer is on Wall Street or even in governmental leadership. It’s not even at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
The answer for any problems we might have is to start occupying our hearts with the morals and ethics outlined in the Word of God. We must deeply consider the words of Solomon, when he wrote, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34, ESV). Further, we must think about the impact of not heeding that inspired maxim.
I do believe in voting. I do believe in peaceful protesting. I do believe in even running for office (or supporting those who do). But far too many Christians have separated politics from their Christian life. We need to be far more concerned with moral issues (e.g., abortion, homosexual marriages, euthanasia, etc.), and far less concerned about issues that, for the most part, only effect our wallet. Christians, it’s time we wake up to the fact that righteousness is what matters, not economics!
So, instead of occupying Wall Street or Legislative Plaza, we need to be occupying the church buildings of our nation, and seeing how God would have us to live, both individually and as a nation. Invite someone to help you occupy Lebanon Road this week!
4 Comments
LukeD
“We need to be far more concerned with moral issues and far less concerned about issues that, for the most part, only effect our wallet. Christians, it’s time we wake up to the fact that righteousness is what matters, not economics!”
Amen! Great post.
Steven Hunter
Great article, Adam. However, I would submit that economics is a moral issue too.
In dealing with currency God told the Israelites, “You shall not have in your bag two kinds of weights, a large and a small. You shall not have in your house two kinds of measures, a large and a small. A full and fair weight you shall have, a full and fair measure you shall have, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. For all who do such things, all who act dishonestly, are an abomination to the Lord your God” (Deut. 25:13-16, ESV).
When the government tinkers with the interest rates and causes inflation, they are manipulating the currency which in turn is giving us one measure/weight while devaluing it through another. It is immoral for the government to determine market conditions with one bag of weights and then arbitrarily lower the value of those funds by other means. By doing this, the government oppresses the poor (cf. Amos 8:5; Micah 6:10-11) which is immoral. Now, I realize these passages dealt with the nation of Israel, and we are not a theocracy but a democratic-republic. You and I do not necessarily feel this result the same way some Christians (e.g., seniors on Social Security) may, so they could: a) complain about it, or b) adjust their lifestyles to it. The fact is — for your vindication — too many have become so concerned with material wealth that they forsake God in these dialogues and embrace politics. That is wrong. Moreover, the way the government deals with their currency is immoral, but they are also immoral in so many other ways. God will ultimately repay their deeds:
“Do not rob the poor, because he is poor, or crush the afflicted at the gate, for the Lord will plead their cause and rob of life those who rob them.” (Prov. 22:22-23, ESV)
Adam Faughn
Steven,
I agree that economics are built upon morality, but economics itself is neither moral or immoral. That said, you are correct with your points that the economy of a nation does, ultimately, live or fall with moral decisions.
The point I was trying to emphasize is that far too many Christians only look at “how will this make a different to my economic standing,” instead of looking at each individual moral implication of certain ways of doing things. I hope that clears it up some.
Thanks for all you do, brother.
Adam
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