Amos 8:4-7 (NRSV)
Read Amos 8:4-7 on biblegateway.com
Verse 4Hear this, you that trample on the needy, and bring to ruin the poor of the land, Verse 5saying, "When will the new moon be over so that we may sell grain; and the sabbath, so that we may offer wheat for sale? We will make the ephah small and the shekel great, and practice deceit with false balances, Verse 6buying the poor for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals, and selling the sweepings of the wheat." Verse 7The Lord has sworn by the pride of Jacob: Surely I will never forget any of their deeds.
Devotion
Ouch! These are tough words that the prophet speaks – damning, convicting words – spoken in a time when there was a vast divide between the “haves” and the “have nots.” Those with power and authority brought “ruin to the poor of the land.” A short summary might read “Your deeds of selfishness and neglect of others will never be forgotten.”
These words easily have relevance for today. We want to believe that we do not consciously “trample on the needy” – that we are far enough along in our faith that we do see the needs of others and respond with kindness, equity and justice.
The prophet’s words, though, cut to the heart. We need to constantly be aware of how our lifestyles, decisions, actions, inactions, voting practices, vocations and more come to bear on “the least of these.”
Prayer
Holy God, power and authority can be used and misused. Make us conscious of how we affect those around us, both near and far. Inspire us, as little Christs, to promote the good of all through our lives of faithfulness. Amen.