Daily Reading: 17 September

(from www.christianaid.org.uk)

An imbalance of power

Something to read

Those who are generous are blessed, for they share their bread with the poor.

- Proverbs 22:9 from full passage Proverbs 22:1-21.

Something to think about

The author of this passage from Proverbs understands the relationship between money and power. A gap between rich and poor means an imbalance of power. The wealthy call the shots, the less fortunate have no say.

The language of slavery is highly apt. Debt shackles people to lenders; loan companies who charge extortionate rates of interest to vulnerable people are a scourge on our society. Can we as Christians take a moral lead in challenging this destructive practice?

It’s 20 years since Jubilee 2000 – a global campaign which led to more than $100 billion of debt owed by 35 of the poorest countries.

Do you remember? Were you involved? People across the UK stood together to send a loud message to the government: we didn’t want those in poverty to be in our debt. The government couldn’t ignore us for long.

The author of Proverbs is optimistic. Injustice and anger will fail, and blessing comes when people share what they have.

Something to do

Find out about Christian Aid’s current campaigns

Something to pray

Generous God,
all that we have comes from you.
Forgive us when we choose selfishness over generosity.
Inspire us to share what we have,
and give us the boldness
to hold the powerful to account.
May your kingdom come.
Amen.

Today’s contributor is Tim Burdon, Christian Aid’s Regional Coordinator for County Durham and Redcar and Cleveland at the time of writing.