We must return to the priority of putting principle and people over money. We do well putting people over money but putting principle over people however fufills the concern of people. The commandment "Love your neighbor as yourself" fufills the other commandments. It is the fundamental commandment. Life is not about money making opportunities everywhere we look. We should be putting people first over money. All the things of God come first of course before people but it is amazing that "Love your neighbor as yourself" puts the incredible emphasis of putting people first over many things and then especially money. It is almost as if our society has fallen in worship to the God of economic forces. The god of free trade, of free enterprise as if nothing must interrupt or interfere with the economic force. We have put the economic force up above where it cannot and must not be violated. Christians on the right seem to turn and twist scripture to accomodate it. Representatives for the administration and even some men on the christian right with such seemingly warm hearted devoted countenance and "manly" powerpoint persona promote the prominence of the economic force as they servily bend and twist scriptures in order to put it above all else while yet with their mouths they deny it but with their actions they enshrine it. America first, God second. Money first, people second. Profit first, principle second.
There was once a time when honesty, honor and integrity prevailed to guide the nation. Friends helped friends and neighbors refusing any money in return. Remember those days? Noticed anything has changed in the attitudes of people in this regard especially since the 80's. Our leadership changed and our morality changed. Money became emphasized so that nearly everything had to be a money making opportunity and so surely now people expect money in return for doing any kind of favor for others friend or neighbor. There are still good people around that will give you a ride or give your auto a jump refusing any money but many fewer than before and sadly fewer christians. This is because we have come to put money over people. Our morality has changed, our ethic has changed and our honor has changed. The church needs to reclaim this area from the compassionate secular and make it again a fundamental tenet of Gods morality, Gods ethic and God's honor. Putting people first is not a tenet of humanitarinism or new agism, it is a fundamental pillar of God's ways. People first under God. "Love your neighbor as yourself" completes God's commandments and it is amazing that we ever let is slip away but a very money seductive religio-political movement to the right has pulled the church off it's bold and true center foundation. There are good people out there who are good friends with good soul who do not necessarily relate to God but it is God who they are actually in agreement with when they love their neighbor as themselves by helping without consideration to money. Should the church follow the ways of the worldly? No, all they need to do is just read God's word without censure. Time to once again start bringing up the parables of the rich men, at the table and the pulpit.
God wants all the people to rejoice in His ways and the church needs to allow the people to see His ways if this is ever to happen. God will bring this back the easy way or the hard way. One would suggest the former.
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