Tuesday 19 2007

We pick up from last week with Walter Brueggemann's five accent points we can consider when we think about the future of the church. We are still on #3 and it moves into the command for a "year of release" - again in Deuteronomy (15:1-18).

This commandment provides that debts within the neighborly community of covenant shall be canceled and forgiven after six years. The effect of the command is to subordinate the economy to the social fabric, so that the economy has no autonomous life in the society. The intent of the command is that there shall be no permanent underclass; every member of the covenant community should be able to maintain economic and therefore human viability. The members of the community with resources are directly obligated toward their neighbors...

Of interest in this command is the recognition that "the poor will never cease in the land."



As we know it today, the economy doesn't just have an autonomous life...it has a ruling and controlling life. Just take note of how much of our life is tied to and dependent on "Wall Street." The saying we use today is "the rich get richer and the poor get poorer." It is as though that is the way it is and will be. But in this command from Deuteronomy, that is not and should not and must not be the case among the people of God. Such a community creates liberation. It is one of the grand assets of the people living together under such a command. When there is nothing in your hand, the community would take up the responsibility to make sure you were not abandoned without resources or hope. Our open hands are to be open to the poor in the community.

When I think of this within a congregation, it seems to me that we must all be aware of those among us who are not "making it." Our role in those cases is to at least make sure that they are given as much help needed to provide for their well-being. Then, it is also a part of our community life to help them "get on their feet" and have a chance to supply what is needed in that household. At Redeemer we have what is called a "Good Samaritan" fund. Often, we help people out in the general community when there is a need. On the other hand, I find that the most important use of those funds (that are given by members and friends) is to see to the welfare of those in the community. Over the years, families have been assisted and it really did make the difference between making it or not making it.



Connection: It is important to remember that each of us can be a part of overall structure that helps another person or household "make it." And...we do it as a sign of whose we are.



Compassionate Lord, turn us into instruments of justice and aid so that we will never forget those around us who are in need. Very often we wrestle with what we "want" and forget that we are invited to place on our "want" list the welfare of our neighbors. This makes their need - our need and our work. Amen.