September/October: Advocating for Economic Justice
Economic justice is about the most basic things
of life. Enough food. Adequate clothing. Access to health care.
Safe shelter. When these essential needs are met, we often take
them for granted. But take away any one of them, and life becomes
a struggle.
In Exodus 16, we find the story of the Israelites
in the wilderness, with little food or water. Hearing their cry,
the Lord responds by sending them manna. When the people gather
only what is needed, there is just the right amount for each one.
But when some try to gather extra and save it for the next day,
it rots away.
This text holds some powerful lessons for us. Fundamentally,
it reminds us that it is God who provides for our needs. Secondly,
it teaches us to be mindful of what is “enough” for us, as individuals
and as a nation. When we grab more than our fair share, the result
can be rotten.
