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Woe to the Complacent

Amos 6:1-7 is a call to action for the blessed, full, contented individuals of the time.  During this time there were some who lived incredibly rich and abundant lives, while others were extremely poor.  Kind of like today, isn't it?  The Lord said, there will always be the poor among us.  Knowing that, I'm not sure he was looking to fix the economic imbalance, but more so fix our internal dispositions.  The Lord desires us to take care of one another.  He desires the fortunate to consider the unfortunate.  He desires the haves to look after the have nots.  He is pleased when the wealthy take care of the poor.

The thought behind it is simple.  If you can, you should.  Giving keeps us from becoming greedy, insatiable people.  I often find myself saying "But I barely have..." and the Lord corrects me.  "A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." Proverbs 11:25.
My pastor, Josh Teis, in his last sermon series, said, "A giver always can."  That stuck with me.  Because it's not about the amount, it's about the willingness of heart to find a way to give something, even when you think you have nothing to give.  Press passed the thought that you can't.  We can all reason away our ability to give, by claiming we "need" something else, or we "have to" pay for this...Even the super wealthy feel like they "have to have" something.

Let's not be like the people of Amos' time, who indulged themselves without considering the basic necessities of others.  We can give something.  And the good news is that no matter what it is, God is still in the business of multiplying.

"Woe to you who are complacent in Zion, and to you who feel secure on Mount Samaria, you notable men of the foremost nation, to whom the people of Israel come!  Go to Calneh and look at it; go from there to great Hamath, and then go down to Gath in Philistia.  Are they better off than your two kingdoms?   Is their land larger than yours?  You put off the evil day and bring near a reign of terror.  You lie on beds inlaid with ivory and lounge on your couches.  You dine on choice lambs and fattened calves.  You strum away on your harps like David and improvise on musical instruments.  You drink wine by the bowlful and use the finest lotions, but you do not grieve over the ruin of Joseph.  Therefore you will be among the first to go into exile; your feasting and lounging will end." Amos 6:1-7.

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