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The Wages Withheld Are Crying Out Loud

Epistle of St. James 5:4-6 "Behold, the wages you withheld from the workers who harvested your fields are crying aloud, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts.  You have lived on earth in luxury and pleasure; you have fattened your hearts for the day of slaughter. You have condemned; you have murdered the righteous one; he offers you no resistance."

Today income inequality  in the United States is greater than at any time since 1929 and increasing.  It is also increasing internationally.  20% of income goes to 1% of the population and the cumulative wealth disparity is even greater.  Income in excessive of need is used to acquire property, stock, jewelry, bonds, commodity futures, etc.  While the acquisition of wealth  deprives the poor it ultimately does the wealthy no good for St. James 5:2 says "Your wealth has rotted away, your clothes have become moth eaten."

While considering this, there is a article by Robert Reich on the growing income equality to read.  Without asking you to endorse any particular solution, I am asking you to look at the problem squarely in both it's pratical and spiritual dimensions. http://www.sfgate.com/columns/reich/


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