The PROPHET or the PROFIT ??

Timothy: 6: 9-10 "But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and hurtful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all evils..."

What would Jesus blog about the oil spill disaster in the Gulf of Mexico? We sometimes think of Jesus as apolitical and thus somehow irrelevant to our public lives. Jesus and faith are often confined to a private compartment. We don't readily think of Jesus as having opinions about single issue politics and the like. However, his teachings are so deep and universal, that when applied to any specific circumstance that individuals or societies face, they provide clear answers and instructions for righteous decision making and action. The recent oil disaster is first and foremost a function of unbridled human greed. Calling it corporate greed somehow detracts from the individual responsibility that fuels all of a company's movements.

Jesus' teachings address the very heart of things. A great teaching is one that holds up under any circumstance. Its truth is absolute even though the application is relative. To 'love one another' is always right and true. Circumstances may present unique challenges in manifesting this truth but the power and validity of the teaching are eternal. Jesus does not need to speak directly about oil spills for us to discern his position on such matters. In all cases of unbridled greed and corruption, he chastises the agents behind such unrighteousness. We see this position when he chases out the 'moneychangers' from the temple; when he chastises the scribes and Pharisees for their lust of power and prestige; when he feeds the hungry multitudes; when he shows compassion to the marginalized and suffering poor. He is always against greed and always for humble service to one another.

In the case of the BP oil spill, disregard for people, communities, and the planet, and sole regard for profit-making ultimately account for what happened. As long as we continue to justify profit-making at the expense of human dignity and well being; as long as we keep Jesus out of our economic and political lives - then we'll be followers of the wrong profit.