4 October 2026 #preferentialoptionforthepoor
We now begin our 4-week series for Respect Life Month. We’ll look at four different groups who need a little bit more respect: the poor, the unborn, the elderly, and the traditional family. None of those rank high on the pagan scale of importance. But they are all the beloved of Jesus’ heart, so they should be top of our list too.
Today’s readings are all over greed as it’s for this sin that “the poor” exist. Now before we move on, I am not a socialist and neither was Jesus. Jesus was a small business owner, a carpenter by trade. Making enough money to support himself and his mother was, no doubt, the goal of his business. Every business should have the opportunity to turn a profit, and every man and woman should have the opportunity to work in order to provide for their families. No one should be forced to give up their salary, just like no one should be forced to love on Jesus. Free will is an exercise in love and Love Incarnate is what we’re after.
Back to greed. Isaiah is writing to an economic giant, the Southern Kingdom, which encompasses Jerusalem. The Southern Kingdom, under some strong alliances and long-term leadership through the Davidic line, was incredibly self-sufficient, wealthy, religious, and at the top of their fame. Everyone wanted to be in the ‘land flowing with milk and honey,’ aka God’s country. But Israel had a problem: They abused the poor, oppressed the migrant, and cheated the least among them. The wealthy got wealthier and the poor got poorer. Sound familiar?
The first 49 chapters of Isaiah are what we call “the gloom and doom letters” as he calls out the sins of those in power. Repent, he writes or suffer exile. Repent of your insatiable greed and relentless oppression. Repent of stealing what doesn’t belong to you and taking more than you need. You think your fields are full of delightful produce, but the Lord finds your harvest bitter. And He will do something about it.
Like Jesus’ parable of the landowner & tenants, the greedy will receive a wretched death, and the wealth they built upon the backs of the poor laborers will be taken from them. In Jesus’ time, the chief priests and the elders set the bar and led the way socially, economically, and spiritually; they excelled in education, wealth, and standing. They are the 10% who make the law and enforce the rules. If you think we are nothing like that Top 10, here’s a sobering thought:
The 2026 UBS Global Wealth Report states that if you have assets (net worth) of $175,000 you are in the top 10% of the world. Assets above 1.1 million? Top 1%. Assets more than $8,700? You’re still in the top half of the world’s population.
Two weeks ago we heard about Jesus’ unparalleled generosity. Last week it was all about doing the Father’s will. This week we’re warned about greed. So, what’s a girl to do now? Be honorable. True. Just. Pure. Gracious. Let my generous actions surpass all cultural understanding. #preferentialoptionforthepoor