Work is God’s gift to mankind, because of Adam’s spiritual disobedience in the Garden of Eden. Adam’s naming everything in the Garden of Eden was a spiritual work privilege. The excommunicated of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden brought about a sociological work responsibility: that is, work by the sweat of your brow (sweat equity). Freedom is not free. No work, you do not eat. Adam’s listening to the spiritual voice of the devil, rather than the spiritual voice of God within himself caused mankind to have to work by the sweat of their brows and the strength of their minds and bodies. We are to “walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.” (Colossians 1:10). Work is a sacred responsibility.
For almost four centuries it has suited the economic ends of Europeans to have at their command a large semi-unskilled-labor workforce, compelled to work for subsistence wages. To accomplish this goal, European Americans needed a “coherent” public policy made-up of laws (Jim-Crowism), folkways and mores, and diligently planted “superiority and inferiority” attitudes. In the twenty-first century, by and large, America no longer needs an unskilled-semi-skilled labor workforce. The twenty-first century is the age of technological advances; skilled and technical thinking oriented labor is required. The methods have changed, but the goal is still the economic exploitation of the masses; especially permanent-tan-minorities.
Capitalism is an economic system made-up primarily of three basic social classes: upper class, middle class and lower class (poor). King David said it best: “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.” (Psalms 37: 25). The middle class is the buffer-class and the largest social class. And, of course, in the twenty-first century we are losing the middle class (the buffer class), because of institutionalized greed. Unfortunately, the middle-class does not mind making socio-economic-political sacrifices in order to keep the poor, poor by not voting in their own best interests.
Question: unless middle-class individuals receive “joy” from suffering?
In order to perpetuate this coherent public policy of economic exploitation of minorities (haves-versus-have nots), it required the participation of governments (federal, state, and local), churches, schools, the press, and society generally. Everyone has some “skin” in the exploitation of the masses-economic-game. Even the economic exploiters are being exploited spiritually; they just do not realize the nature of the spiritual consequences. “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 19:24). What has gotten us in this horrible-mess is the same thing that can get us out of this socio-spiritual-predicament. That is, if America has the spiritual will to do so.
The middle-class must spiritually answer the Cain question (skin in the game): “Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9). The lower classes must have enough faith to believe that this too shall pass: “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrew 11: 6). And, of course, “But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.” (Romans 8: 25).
The United States of America is the most intellectually-sophisticated-technological society on planet earth; therefore, after 395 years as a multicultural society, we should be able to call a timeout regarding economic exploitation of the masses. America spiritually, philosophically and doctrinally includes, but economically excludes. This is why the definition of full employment is not zero unemployment, but 3-4 percent of the potential “majority” workforce unemployed.
The welfare system was created as a safe-guard (safety-net for the lack of jobs) for the “majority population” in order to to contain “uprisings” against the structural economic inequities fostered by the ruling class establishment. On the one hand, the image of welfare is given to permanent-tan-minorities. But, on the other hand, the reality is that there are more majority Americans on welfare than minorities. However, in terms of population percentages, because of lack of job opportunities there are more minorities on welfare. There has never been a “job” for every American that is willing to work. The question is why does this economic-condition exist in America? The answer is partisan politics. Of course, there are many other contributing factors, but “bottom-line” politics (institutionalized-greed) is the primary economic factor. That is, “too big to fail”, and sending jobs abroad for cheap labor (vulgar profiteering).
Until Americans spiritually go introspectively and clearly understand the full meaning of the scripture cited below, we will continue to be a nation of the “haves-versus-have nots”, that is perpetuate a dog eat dog mentality: a country divided against itself. “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For every man shall bear his own burden.” (Galatians 6: 2-5).
Without a doubt, historically the economic playing field has never been level for all Americans. Paraphrasing: “A righteous nation does not walk in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of the scornful. But, a righteous nation delights in the law of God, because the law of God is love, service and freedom.” (Psalms 1: 1-6). Happy is the nation that keeps God’s law of love. Allow me once again to paraphrase: “Some trust in war, and some trust in peace, but every American should place his/her trust in God.” (Psalms 20:7). Selah!