Daily Devotional

“Thus says the Lord: ‘For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, because they sell the righteous for silver, and
the poor for a pair of sandals’ ” (Amos 2:6). 

Can you imagine living on less than $2 a day? What would you eat and wear? Where would you live? What about medical care? How would your standard of living change? 

Though it seems incomprehensible to many of us, about 50 percent— half!—of the world’s population lives on such a meagre income, and many of them die on it. Without the basic necessities of water, food, shelter, and sanitation, millions are doomed to a life of suffering and possible starvation. Up to 60,000 people die every day just from lack of food. 

Furthermore, the gap is widening between the richest people in the world and the poorest. The income of the wealthiest 1 percent, for in- stance, is the same as the combined income of the most impoverished 57 percent. 

Likewise, in Amos’ day, the poor were getting poorer and the rich richer because of unfair practices. God, who hates injustice and the sin that causes it, saw the plight of the impoverished in Israel and that they were being preyed upon by the wealthy. Part of the work of the prophet Amos was to deliver messages of God’s disapproval and warnings of His judgment against this oppression of the poor and other wrongs. 

The humble prophet apparently left his successful sheep business to carry out his assignment. Traveling from his home in Judea to Israel, he spread the word and did his best to ignite revival among the people who had wandered so far from the Lord. He wanted them to turn from their idolatry, their sensual behavior, and their unfairness toward others. 

When people turn away from God, all kinds of hurtful things result. As Christians, we need to follow the example of Jesus and love others in word and deed. When we unselfishly live for others, we will realize that every person is His precious child. 

Dear Jesus, in Your name I want to do my part to bridge the gap and bring hope to those in poverty.