May 17h, 2026: Christian Manner of Justice | Deuteronomy 24:14-21, Ephesians 6:5-91 Timothy 6:17-19

Deuteronomy 24:14-21

The book of Deuteronomy sets forth the legal principles that the nation of Israel was built on.  Many will claim that religious beliefs should be kept personal and that we should not impose biblical thinking on the culture or bring Christian morals and values into public discourse. From the beginning, God gave human beings stewardship to govern the world that He had created.  Being a child of God is an all encompassing position, we are christians in the workplace, in the voting booth, in our interactions in the community.  We are representatives of our Lord, and should behave in a way that reflects His heart and character.  Far from being silent, Christians should bring the justice, wisdom, grace, and compassion of God to the forefront and be the light God has called us to be.  

¹⁴ Thou shalt not oppress an hired servant that is poor and needy, whether he be of thy brethren, or of thy strangers that are in thy land within thy gates:

¹⁵ At his day thou shalt give him his hire, neither shall the sun go down upon it; for he is poor, and setteth his heart upon it: lest he cry against thee unto the Lord, and it be sin unto thee.

We spend approximately 33% of our adult life at work.  It’s more than a place to earn our daily bread; it is our mission field. God’s people should be the best employees, because if we are following Him, we will be honest, hardworking, and dependable.  Most importantly, if we are walking in the pattern of Christ, we will have the right priorities, putting people ahead of profits, loving our neighbors like we have been commanded.  In these two verses it is made clear that being abusive to those over whom you have authority at work displeases God.  Notice how it specifically addresses those who are strangers among us.  Some are tempted to make a difference between people who are like us and the “others” who live and work among us, but God doesn’t.  If they work they should be paid, fairly.  If we take advantage and abuse them, we will be held accountable.

¹⁶ The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin.

Every individual was held accountable for his own actions under this statute.  This concept is largely lost among us today.  It’s rare that we ever hear anyone sincerely apologize for their behavior and take responsibility for their own wrongdoing. Everyone blames everyone else for what they do.  They justify their wicked behavior by saying it was the only appropriate response to the treatment they received.  “Be not deceived, God is not mocked; whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”  

¹⁷ Thou shalt not pervert the judgment of the stranger, nor of the fatherless; nor take a widow's raiment to pledge:

¹⁸ But thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in Egypt, and the Lord thy God redeemed thee thence: therefore I command thee to do this thing.

There was not only room for mercy under God’s government, it was demanded.  They were urged to err on the side of compassion, and to keep in mind that they were no different than those who owed them.  God had shown the nation great forgiveness and generous blessing, He expected them to treat each other in the same way.  Without God, our condition is hopeless. He gave us the greatest treasure in Heaven when He sent His Son Jesus to die in our place, how then do we think it is ever appropriate to oppress and hold a grudge against our neighbor?  Perverting justice happens when a person in a powerful position pulls strings to get the outcome he desires.  It happens when the rules are bent for one party, but not for those who can’t offer a bribe.  Our desire for what we think is due us should never be more important than our desire to love God and love others. 

¹⁹ When thou cuttest down thine harvest in thy field, and hast forgot a sheaf in the field, thou shalt not go again to fetch it: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow: that the Lord thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hands.

²⁰ When thou beatest thine olive tree, thou shalt not go over the boughs again: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow.

²¹ When thou gatherest the grapes of thy vineyard, thou shalt not glean it afterward: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow.

Greed seems to be an acceptable sin today.  Hoarding up wealth and treasure is looked upon as a trait to be admired, God didn’t think so.  Those who were blessed with much, were called upon to share with those who had little.  They weren’t to squeeze every last drop out of their riches, but to leave some extra on purpose for those in need.  The law commanded that God was considered first, and a tithe was given, then with what was left, giving was required.  When they obeyed these principles they became the richest nation, God blessed them more than they had the ability to contain.  

Ephesians 6:5-9

⁵ Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;

⁶ Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;

⁷ With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:

From the empowered to those under authority, this passage addresses the workers' responsibility.  God wants to change our perspective.  We belong to Christ, and serve Him, ultimately.  We are asked to look past our circumstance and to our calling and purpose.  Don’t do your work begrudgingly, or with an attitude of trying to do as little as possible.  Do what you do with the mindset that God honors our work and uses it to as an opportunity to draw others to Him.  

Some only become diligent when the boss is looking, that’s no way for God’s children to live.  It’s dishonest and a poor witness.  

⁸ Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.

⁹ And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.

There is a payday coming.  You may be working hard, honoring God with your behavior, and using your livelihood as a witness, and still it seems that your efforts go unrecognized.  You could see others, who are manipulating the system to their selfish advantage being promoted.  Don’t worry about what man sees, know that God is aware of it all, and He will reward your faithfulness to Him.  Likewise, if you are a terrible boss who harms and threatens those under your management, be aware that God is watching, and heavenly justice is coming your way.  God is not impressed with our titles, He can see our hearts.

1 Timothy 6:17-19

¹⁷ Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

¹⁸ That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

¹⁹ Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Charge, or warn, those who are rich in this world.  There was a rich man who lived a lavish lifestyle, who ate the richest of food, and enjoyed every pleasure life had to offer.  And, there was a beggar who sat just outside the walls of his property, who was dying of starvation and suffering from disease.  They both died.  Lazarus, who was the beggar in our world, was carried to a place of paradise by the angels of God.  There he was comforted, no longer sick, no longer hungry, but joyful in the presence of God.  The rich man, name withheld, awoke in a very different condition.  Gone were any comforts, his life was full or torments.  He could see into paradise, where Lazarus was, but he could by no means get to him.  In his suffering, he pleaded for just one drop of water, one taste of mercy, but was denied, just as he had denied Lazarus any comfort during his lifetime.  Justice had come.  

If you are blessed, God expects you to know where those blessings come from, and to whom they and for that matter, you belong.  You have been given good things not to pile them up, but to share them and use them for the building of God’s kingdom.  Don’t trust in your bank account, your ability to work, or your political connections.  They have no enduring strength, and will not hold you when you need them most.  Put your trust and your treasure in God’s hands, He is trustworthy!  “Those who put their trust in God, shall never be ashamed.”

Thank you for studying with us! God bless!