Justice in Economic Life

GOLDEN TEXT: “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.” —Luke 16:10

EXODUS 20:15; AMOS 8:4-7; JAMES 5:1-5

THE commandment, “Thou shalt not steal,” has a wide application in human behavior. To take money, or jewelry, from another’s person or home is stealing. One who robs a bank is stealing money which does not belong to him. This is injustice, and it is difficult to imagine that a follower of Jesus, who is setting his affections on things above, would ever have the slightest temptation thus to be unjust.

But this is not the only form of stealing. The Prophet Amos outlined a method of stealing practiced by some in ancient Israel who were perhaps looked up to as ideal citizens of the community. He addressed them, saying, “O ye that swallow up the needy, even to make the poor of the land to fail.”—ch. 8:4

Then Amos itemized some of their unjust practices. He said that they made “the ephah small, and the shekel great,” and falsified “the balances by deceit.” Besides, they took advantage of the poor “for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes.” They even sold the “refuse of the wheat”; wheat, that is, which was of no value and should have been thrown away.

These were all unjust practices. Those who indulged in them were as guilty of stealing as the man who picks another’s pocket. It is strange, though, that in the world there are those who, while looking aghast at the petty thief, do not hesitate to rob others by their unjust and dishonest methods and practices. The Lord condemned this sort of thing in ancient Israel, and he condemns it today, especially on the part of those who profess to be his people.

The prophecy of James (ch. 5:1-5) has a special application at the present time, described by him as the “last days.” Verse 7 identifies the “last days” with the time of our Lord’s return. We should expect, therefore, to find in the prophecies a description of conditions which are now existing; and this we do.

The prophecy speaks of the “rich” who have heaped together treasures “for the last days.” James is not here condemning the rich for being rich. His condemnation of the class he describes is because, as he says to them, “the hire of the laborers who reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabbath.”—vs. 4

He condemns this class further, saying, “Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; … ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you.” (vss. 5,6) From this it is obvious that today the Lord is as much displeased with those who practice injustices against their fellowmen, thereby growing rich and powerful at the expense of others, as he was in the days of ancient Israel.

It was the unjust practices, particularly of the rulers of Israel, together with other sins, which led to the destruction of the nation. So again today, the injustices and other sins now practiced in human society, will result in the destruction of the social order of “this present evil world [Greek, anion, meaning age].”—Gal. 1:4

I PETER 4:10, 11

WE GET a better conception of the meaning of this scripture when we consider it in conjunction with verses 8 and 9, in which Peter exhorts us to have fervent love one for another, and to “use hospitality one to another without grudging.”

The “manifold grace of God” provides many gifts to his people, all of which should be used faithfully. Peter continues, “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion forever and ever.”

Our Golden Text fits into this part of our lesson very well. Many of us, as followers of Jesus, feel that the Lord has not provided us with important “gifts” so that we can serve him and his people. But regardless of what our “gifts” may be, if we are faithful in their use, it will prove that we would be faithful in the use of greater opportunities and talents, “for he that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much.”

The same principle holds true with respect to the practice of injustice. If we are unjust in little things, we will be “unjust also in much.” May we be aware of the “little foxes” which “spoil the vines.”—Canticles 2:15

QUESTIONS

Mention various ways in which one may be guilty of stealing.

Why did James, in his prophecy, condemn certain of the rich of the last days”?

How will God show his disapproval against the injustices of “this present evil world”?

What are some of the “gifts” provided by the “grace of God,” and how should we use these gifts?

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