Take 5: A Micah Challenge

Click here for five simple ways from Micah Challenge to make a difference to those without enough food.

Prayer Points

Please pray:

• that negotiators on both sides may be given the wisdom and strength to seek deals that will bring about trade justice
• that the negotiating process may be marked by respect for ACP countries' proposals and needs
• that the negotiations may address the ACP's development concerns rather than focusing only on market opening beneficial to the EU
• that traders in ACP countries may be given strength and wisdom to deal with the uncertainty they face

Reflection

Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. James 5:1-5

Apparently, there was once an occasion when these verses were read out in a rich church in the US without telling the congregation that they were from the Bible. Immediately, those listening responded antagonistically questioning who could write such a thing. They were shocked to discover it was the brother of our Lord. Yet, for all of us, if these verses don’t shock and shame us, then it can only be because we are refusing to listen to the Spirit of God. “The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you.” How many of us
can claim that we do not stand guilty as charged. Whilst we rightly campaign for better trade justice, it must also begin at home, in how we spend the money the Lord has currently loaned to us. We may pay our tithe, and buy a few fairly traded products – but everything belongs to God, and it is to him that we will one day have to give an account.

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Bruce Cockburn - Call It Democracy.