My church is in an urban, very economically depressed area. There is no one in my church "rich and getting richer." There is no one in my community that way. While I was typing this email, I answered a phone call from someone wanting money to help with rent. I get calls and visits from people who need food. So I am not preaching to the rich (who need to be saved as well, so I am not sure what would be wrong with that.)
But if you preach, make sure you preach the gospel ... that Jesus died for people's sins to save them. What you have been harping on here is not hte gospel.
How does this condemn my wisdom? This is exactly what i have been saying. Listen, there are two sides here, and the Bible addresses both.
1. Workers -- Work hard for your employer so that the gospel is properly adorned (Col 3; 1 Tim 6; Titus 2).
2. Employers -- Treat your employees well because you too have a master in heaven (col 3-4; 1 Tim 6; Titus 2).
The Bible does not tell us what a fair wage is. The Bible does not hold the employees responsible for the sins of the employer. In fact, the Bible commands workers to be submissive to master even when they are unreasonable (1 Peter 2:18). Are you willing to do that? How is the gospel adorned by your complaining about money and wages?
If you don't think you are making enough money, then tell your employer, and look for another job. If he thinks you are worth more, he will pay you more. It's that simple. I worked in the business world. I know how it works. Here are two real cases, in which I could name the names of the people who were involved.
Case 1 - The IT guy thought he was underpaid and mistreated. He found another job offer and told his supervisor. The supervisor said, "We want you to stay. We will beat your new salary and give you better working conditions (hours, etc,.)"
Case 2 - A salesperson thought she was underpaid and mistreated. She found another job offer and went and told her supervisor. The supervisor said, "Bye."
In one case, the employer was willing to pay what the employee thought he was worth because of his value to the company. In the second case, the employer was not willing to pay what the employee thought she was worth. I know for a fact that she was not doing a good job and was on teh verge of getting fired anyway.
Perhaps he is trying to speak to you through my theology, since my theology is solidly rooted in Scripture and yours is not. Perhaps this exchange is takign place because you are holding to a wrong position and no one has yet been willing to stand up and say "Wait a minute. Let's talk about Scripture here."
You have bought into a wrong philosophy that is infecting much of American evangelicalism. You seem more concerned about wages than you are about the gospel, and the spiritual plight of people. Perhaps you are not more concerned about that, but your whole participation in this thread seems to be whining becuase you want to make more money.
Do you have covering? Do you have food? Then be content. And if you think that sounds familiar, it should. It is 1 Tim 6:8.
We need to be a little more radical in our Christianity and quit toeing someone's political line.
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