Lord, our company supplies many products globally. I know you care for all people regardless of which country they inhabit. From a justice standpoint, can we make products that poor people can afford? Can we package them in small enough packages that they can buy them? Can we make them in such a way that is sustainable for our organization? These are difficult decisions. Can we make enough margin on expensive items that we can afford a smaller margin on others?

I have trouble when people cry out that we should not export jobs overseas. Do not the rest of your people need jobs and sustenance? But when it happens, what am I to do for those who are disrupted. Help me make sure that these workers are not exploited because of their desperation.

I am interested in those in need inside and outside of our own country. How can my company support local education for people who need skills to prosper? Can I invest in retraining? Where can I locate facilities that are good for my company and good for the new neighbors.

All this is confusing Lord, because people say, “God, helps those who help themselves.” I know you never said that. I think it might have been Benjamin Franklin. But, help us help people help themselves. I don’t wish to glorify the kind of individualism that casts aside the fatherless, the widow or the resident alien.

Section 2, Scripture: DT 10:18;Zech 7:10; IS 58:7-11;MT 25:31-45

Hebrew Scripture

New Testament

Deuteronomy 10:18 “He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing. Zechariah 7:10 “Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor.” Isaiah 58: 7-11 “Is it not sharing your bread with the hungry, bringing the afflicted and the homeless into your house; Clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own flesh? 8Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your wound shall quickly be healed; Your vindication shall go before you, and the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. 9Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer, you shall cry for help, and he will say: “Here I am!” If you remove the yoke from among you, the accusing finger, and malicious speech; 10If you lavish your food on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted; Then your light shall rise in the darkness, and your gloom shall become like midday; 11Then the LORD will guide you always and satisfy your thirst in parched places, will give strength to your bones And you shall be like a watered garden, like a flowing spring whose waters never fail.”

The Judgment of the Nations.*31f “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne,32g and all the nations* will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.33He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.34Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.35h For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me,36naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’37Then the righteous* will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?38When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?39When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’40i And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’41* j Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.42k For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,43a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’44* Then they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?’45He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’ Matthew 25:31-45

Section 3

You may wish to be silent for a few minutes.

Section 4

Offer prayer in your own words speaking to God who is for us, with us and in us.