The Park Forum

Links for today’s readings:

Mar 9  Read: Proverbs 28 Listen: (3:07) Read: Psalm 44 Listen: (2:44)

Scripture Focus: Proverbs 28.6-11

Reflection: Poverty, Policy, and Posture

By John Tillman

Proverbs says piety with poverty is better than wealth with wickedness.

The English word “poverty” appears 21 times in the NIV translation of the Bible. In these verses, poverty can be the result of an individual’s foolishness or of affliction by others. Poverty can be a judgment sent by the Lord or a condition perpetuated by human greed.

Proverbs says the wealthy think themselves wise but the poor see the dupes behind wealth’s disguise.

A false non-biblical cultural proverb claims the wealthy can’t be bribed or tempted with money. Proverbs says people “will do wrong for a piece of bread,” (Pr 28.21) however, it has become obvious that no leader or company has enough “bread” that they can’t be duped with a bribe. Especially if that bribe is disguised as a gift, a business deal, a favor, a donation, or a tax cut.

Proverbs says the wealth of those who profit off of the poor will be redistributed by those who treat the poor with kindness. Those who close their eyes to the poor (Pr 28.27), stingy, and eager to build wealth (Pr 28.22), are cursed.

The English word “ poor” appears 171 times and “needy” appears 56 times. (With 16 overlaps in the phrase “poor and needy.”) The poor are targeted and oppressed by the powerful. The wealthy reap profits from the poor. Those who help the poor, whether kings (governments), communities, or individuals, are blessed.

The biblical causes of poverty are many. The biblical response to poverty is not. God expects compassion and action on behalf of the poor. God’s people are commanded to aid and provide for them.

Many ways that scripture dictates to help the poor aren’t applicable to our economy or aren’t workable solutions. People like Elon Musk and Bill Gates aren’t going to redistribute their wealth every 50 years (Leviticus 25.8-12, 25-28, 39-43, 54-55; Deuteronomy 15.1-11). Even if Monsanto or other Big Ag companies forced America’s farmers to leave ten percent of their fields unharvested for the poor, (Leviticus 19.9-10; 23.22; Deuteronomy 24.19-22) our inner city poor couldn’t travel to a corn field to pick any.

It is up to us to apply scripture’s principles in new ways. This is not just an individual mandate. We must work together as faith communities and a country to lift up the poor if we want our economy to reflect our commitment to scripture.

No specific modern economic anti-poverty policy is scripturally commended, but a heart posture of generosity toward the poor is commanded.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Refrain for the Morning Lessons

“Because the needy are oppressed, and the poor cry out in misery, I will rise up,” says the Lord, “And give them the help they long for.” — Psalm 12.5

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime by Phyllis Tickle.

Read more: Vulnerable Quartet

Can we not see those…sabotaging people working to escape poverty? What kind of society does these things? Not a great one. Not a righteous one.

Vulnerable Quartet

Read more: What If I Don’t Have an Ox?

There is wisdom to apply to our political and economic systems and choices…labor markets and business practices…personal finances…power and resources.

What If I Don’t Have an Ox? — Readers’ Choice

Links for today’s readings:

Mar 6  Read: Proverbs 25 Listen: (2:56) Read: Mark 15 Listen: (5:16)

Links for this weekend’s readings:

Mar 7  Read: Proverbs 26 Listen: (2:37) Read: Mark 16 Listen: (2:34)
Mar 8  Read: Proverbs 27 Listen: (2:43) Read: Psalms 42-43 Listen: (2:32)

Scripture Focus: Proverbs 25.1

1 These are more proverbs of Solomon, compiled by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:

Reflection: Unsung Holy Spirit-Inspired Heroes

By John Tillman

The Greeks thought all great works were inspired by “the muses,” who were daughters of Zeus.

Our culture’s inaccurate pictures of “inspiration” are watered down versions of this belief in “muses.” We picture artists languishing, unable to work until inspiration strikes like lightning, spurring frenetic activity and productivity. In reality, that sounds more like mental illness than inspiration. Maybe Plato was partially right when he called inspiration from the muses, “divine madness.”

Our belief that inspiration always comes suddenly is based on stories that are memorable because they are unusual. One day in 1972, Dolly Parton wrote two of her biggest hits, “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You,” but like most artists, she’d agree that’s the exception, not the rule.

Sudden bursts of inspiration aren’t actually sudden. Creative breakthroughs come from sustained efforts over a long period of time. The sudden flower of inspiration comes from diligently planting, watering, fertilizing, and pruning.

When we describe the Bible as “inspired” by God, take care not to let false, cultural ideas about inspiration creep into our theology. The Holy Spirit is not a muse and might not be amused at being thought of as one.

Biblical authors did not go into trances, losing control of their faculties. When the Holy Spirit caused reactions of this kind with King Saul, it was to humble him and produced nothing worth remembering. (1 Samuel 10.10-13; 1 Samuel 18.10-11; 1 Samuel 19.19-24) Authors like David, Asaph, and Solomon made sustained efforts to pursue God’s wisdom. This led to prodigious output of texts considered as God’s own words.

The inspiration of the Spirit didn’t stop with writing. It included editing, curating, and arranging of texts. Today’s passage notes the “men of Hezekiah” who researched, compiled, and arranged additional proverbs of Solomon, but there are many editors, researchers, and curators to thank for our scriptures. For example, the gospel authors worked hard to investigate and make orderly accounts of events so we can be certain of what we have been taught. (Luke 1.1-4; John 20.30-31; 21.24-25)

Be thankful today for the editors and compilers of scripture as the unsung, Holy Spirit-inspired heroes that they are.

The canon of scripture is closed, but the Holy Spirit is still active and wants to speak through your words and actions. Be a diligent worker (2 Timothy 2.15), making sustained efforts in prayer and the scriptures, and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit will break out into your life in surprising and sudden ways.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Refrain for the Morning Lessons

So teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts to wisdom. — Psalm 90.12

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime by Phyllis Tickle.

Read more: Untwisting Scripture

Some Christians spend a lot of time finger-pointing…Some are accused of accommodating today’s culture and others of accommodating past cultures.

Untwisting Scripture

Read more: In the Face of Mockery and Shame

With mockery and shame removed as options, some may be at a loss for how to communicate in our world.

In the Face of Mockery and Shame

Links for today’s readings:

Mar 5  Read: Proverbs 24 Listen: (3:47) Read: Mark 14 Listen: (8:37)

Scripture Focus: Proverbs 24.23-29

Reflection: Kiss of Honesty or Deceit?

By John Tillman

This section of Proverbs highlights the connection between justice and honesty and their opposites, partiality and deception. The central phrase celebrates honesty as an act of respect and love—a kiss on the lips.

The Hebrew translated “honest” means “straight.” Its opposite, the Hebrew for “crooked” is often translated “deceitful.” English has this metaphor too. On important issues, we want “straight” answers from leaders. We usually get deceitful answers—crooked, spin-filled speeches of avoidance.

Answers can be crooked. So can interpretations. Partiality blinds eyes and twists words. (Deuteronomy 16.19) If partial to the speaker, we may call crooked words straight, kissing their mouth with our lips.

In our culture, kissing on the lips occurs primarily in romantic relationships. Even very close platonic friends rarely kiss on the lips, but in biblical times it was a common, nonsexual gesture of affection and respect. The early church greeted each other with holy kisses. (Romans 16.16; 1 Corinthians 16.20; 2 Corinthians 13.12; 1 Thessalonians 5.26) Jesus criticized Simon the Pharisee for neglecting the customary, hospitable greeting of a kiss. (Luke 7.44-47) The slight of not greeting Jesus with a kiss revealed that, at heart, Simon was not judging Jesus impartially. A kiss promised honesty. This also made Judas’s kiss of betrayal all the more “crooked.” (Luke 22.47-48)

Partiality has many flavors. People may judge for the powerful in exchange for favors or for the wealthy in exchange for bribes. Yet, scripture also condemns judging for the poor due to misguided sympathy. Cases must be judged on the merits, not by predetermined partiality against classes, races, or other groups. (Leviticus 19.15; Deuteronomy 1.17; 16.19; 2 Chronicles 19.7)

Wise safeguards attempt to protect against partiality. My relative, who is a judge, has sons who are law enforcement officers. To prevent partiality due to familial ties, he cannot handle cases involving his sons. But if his heart became corrupt and crooked, he could and would find a way to influence the system.

Systems of checks and balances cannot account for all forms of partiality. It is self-deception to think we have or could design such a system. Therefore, it always comes down to the individual integrity, character, and honesty of leaders. Frightening, yes?

The chaos leaders of deficient character bring is God’s judgment on those who support them. Those who say to the guilty, “you are innocent,” deserve the rancor of all nations. (Proverbs 24.24)

Character is the ultimate leadership quality and is a test for us. When we “kiss” leaders with compromised character—honoring them, praising them, promoting them—like Judas, we kiss Jesus with betrayal.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Request for Presence

O God of hosts, show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved. — Psalm 80.7

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime by Phyllis Tickle.

Read more: A Prayer for Times of Trouble

The time of trouble was upon him…hours away from death, minutes away from betrayal. Would he falter? Would he back away now?

A Prayer for Times of Trouble

Consider Supporting Our Work

The work we do is not cheap, but you experience it for free because of our donors.  Please consider joining our donors. Any size of gift makes a big difference.

Supporting our Work

Links for today’s readings:

Mar 4  Read: Proverbs 23 Listen: (3:39) Read: Mark 13 Listen: (4:32)

Scripture Focus: Proverbs 23:4-5

4 Do not wear yourself out to get rich;
    do not trust your own cleverness.
5 Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone,
    for they will surely sprout wings
    and fly off to the sky like an eagle.

Reflection: The Rat Race

By Erin Newton

When pressed to find a suitable cultural reference for the idea of “wealth isn’t everything,” my mind immediately went to Christmas stories: The Christmas Carol (admittedly, the muppet version) and It’s a Wonderful Life. But looking for a good one-liner, I think of Harry Bailey who says: “A toast to my big brother George, the richest man in town!” George has just had an epiphany about what brings value to life, and his friends and family rallied to keep him from financial destitution.

During a season beset with giving and generosity, such movies keep the “spirit” going. We are reminded that giving is good. But once the new year rolls around, we are back at it—the rat race. The “American Dream” is built on the idea of working hard and building wealth. Of course, many of us are probably not in any sort of space where our savings are increasing. Right now, making ends meet is about as good as it gets.

Struggling to have enough to live is exhausting. It is not hard to identify the various ways our lives would be easier if we had bigger inflow of income. We might read this verse and scoff, “Not my problem!” Who is really prospering right now? Believe me, I get it.

But the drive to try to be wealthy might be something we do struggle with. Wanting to afford things for ourselves and our families is not inherently bad. But if we are single-mindedly trying to gain and gain and gain, we are likely to burn out.

My husband recently said, “What if a little is enough?” He told me about a business model that used a shopping center for local businesses. The spaces were rented out in increments depending on the needs of the entrepreneurs. The idea was to avoid the larger box stores or franchises and keep expenses low. “Just enough for what they need to use.”

Just enough.

Where can we let go of the weary pursuit of building wealth and settle for “just enough”? What can we gain by stepping back?

The proverb says that money is fleeting. Money is easy to spend. Investments can be easily de-valued. Heirlooms can depreciate. Precious jewels can be lost. Our satisfaction is often a moving goalpost.

Jesus came to give us life to the fullest. Don’t waste it yearning for earnings. Know when you have enough and then stop.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Small Verse

Today if you shall hear his voice, harden not your heart.

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime by Phyllis Tickle.

Read more: Watch

Jesus says many similar things in this passage: watch, beware, keep watch, be on guard, be alert, stay awake, be ready. He never says, “predict.”

Watch

Read more: Whose Table Are Your Feet Under?

Let us be drawn to Christ, frequently putting our feet under his table and inviting others to join us.

Whose Table Are Your Feet Under?

Links for today’s readings:

Mar 3  Read: Proverbs 22 Listen: (2:59) Read: Mark 12 Listen: (6:10)

Scripture Focus: Proverbs 22.1-2, 4, 7-9, 16

Rich man’s war, poor man’s fight. — unknown (Civil War era, 1861-1865)

From John: Today, as always, our devotional writings are steered by the scriptures for the day, not the headlines of the day. We originally posted this devotional on March 3, 2022, one week after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. I decided last week that we would repost this devotional today, and reflect that four years later, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) estimates that up to 325,000 Russian soldiers and up to 140,000 Ukrainian soldiers have died in Russia’s invasion.

Then, over the weekend, the US and Israel opened a new conflict with attacks on Iran and the President cautioned Americans that US military personnel may die in this action or as a result. By the time this posts on Tuesday, perhaps the attacks will be over. Perhaps a “Mission Accomplished” banner will be raised as George W. Bush did long before the Iraq war accomplished anything lasting. However, Russia’s experiences in Ukraine and America’s own experiences in regime change should caution us that we cannot know the future consequences of this action. We can know, however, that poor Iranians, Americans, and Israelis will bear the brunt of the suffering, dying, and fighting as the wealthy and powerful pontificate and moralize. As President Jimmy Carter wisely reminded us, “War may sometimes be a necessary evil. But no matter how necessary, it is always an evil, never a good.”

May we redouble our prayers against the evils of war. Pray the innocent will be protected. Pray that the plans of the powerful will be frustrated. Pray the wicked will be destroyed by their own wicked ways.

Reflection: Prayer for the Poor at War

By John Tillman

Today’s section of Proverbs has many reflections on the relationship of the rich to the poor.

During the American Civil War, men could avoid conscription into the military for a fee of $300. That would be approximately $9,500 in today’s currency. The adage “rich man’s war, poor man’s fight” originated at this time. This “proverb” has remained a popular way of expressing the fact that most nations are led to war by the rich and most who die are poor. 

United States military forces have been volunteer-only since 1973 but conscription (called the draft) could be reactivated if national security demanded it. Despite being a volunteer force, the US Armed Forces are still mostly filled by those from lower economic backgrounds, so the adage is still true.

In other nations, practices vary, but it has become clear in the early days of the Russian invasion of Ukraine that many captured Russian soldiers are conscripts and some of them were unaware of where they were being sent and who they were being told to attack. 

Poor men dying on behalf of the powerful is the way of the world. The way of Christ is the opposite.

Christ was the wealthiest but became the poorest. He was the most powerful but became the weakest. Rather than allow us to be casualties of sin and death, God, in Christ, leapt in front of the bullets and died in our place. Yet, through God’s power he won the war with sin and death, conquering them through the cross and shaming them through his bodily resurrection. Thank God that in the war against sin and death, it is God who fights for us.

Prayer for the Poor at War

Lord, we pray for the poor at war and for the powerful who send them to it.
Whether the military conscript or the mother huddled in a bomb shelter, we pray for you to touch the poor and weak to save them.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Morning Psalm

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime by Phyllis Tickle.

Read more: False Dilemmas

This doesn’t mean that some mushy, non-committal-middle is the right answer. But it does mean that we don’t win by humiliating our opponents.

False Dilemmas — Readers’ Choice

Read more: Gift of Noticing

The wise teacher is not listening to attack or to destroy. Through opposition and questioning, we see him find in Jesus a kinship and common ground of faith. 

Gift of Noticing