Opening Prayer
Lord of Heaven, Maker of Earth, you have set everything in its place and given everyone a purpose. Help us to appreciate the array of gifts and skills, the diversity of callings and professions that you have ordained. Grant us the understanding to see you in each person and hearts that would value them all. Amen.
The World as God Intends
Read, reflect and answer the questions following each Scripture passage.
Begin by reading Exodus 1:8-14 and all of Exodus 5.
Throughout Scripture, we see blessings pronounced on those employers who pay their workers fair wages and judgment against those who do not. In the Old Testament, God reminds the Israelites of their history as a people oppressed under the yoke of slavery and warns them not to become oppressors in their own employment practices. One of the most potent warnings comes in Deuteronomy 24:14-15:
“You shall not withhold the wages of poor and needy laborers, whether other Israelites or aliens who reside in your land in one of your towns. You shall pay them their wages daily before sunset, because they are poor and their livelihood depends on them; otherwise they might cry to the Lord against you, and you would incur guilt.”
God knew that many workers were living paycheck to paycheck, as it were, and commanded the Israelites not to take advantage of these workers, regardless of their citizenship. How might this concept be applied today?
In Scripture, there is an emphasis on the dignity of all work. Paul’s words to the church in Corinth ring true of our economy (1 Corinthians 12:21-22).
“The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you,’ nor again the head to the feet, ‘I have no need of you.’ On the contrary,the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable.”
What parallels do you see with jobs in our economy?
Analyze Today’s Reality
1. Each person makes two lists. The first list should be of the people and professions that you rely on directly everyday. For example, if you are a student, “Teachers” might go on the first list. On the second list, include all the professions and people you rely on indirectly on a regular basis. If you drive to work, you might put “Auto workers.” Try to make the lists as comprehensive as possible; different people and different lifestyles will necessarily mean interactions with different types of workers.
What do you notice from the lists? Which professions do we afford more dignity? Which are paid more? Are there any patterns? Hopefully, you are able to see from the length of these lists how interconnected we are, and how important each type of work is.
2. In Leviticus 23:22, God gives a command to those who own land and capital:
“When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very edges of your field, or gather the gleanings of your harvest; you shall leave them for the poor and for the alien: I am the Lord your God.”
This verse does not call on the landowners to issue handouts; it tells them to provide work, namely harvesting. The command is a call to provide work for all and allows workers to enjoy the fruits of their labor. In the Ten Commandments that God gave to Moses is the requirement to keep the Sabbath holy by resting from labor. To what extent do we fulfill these two commandments to provide ample rewarding work and opportunity for rest from that work?
Low wages make it very difficult for workers in some sectors of the economy to take a day off and still be able to provide for their family. Moreover, the fact that some laborers, such as direct-care workers, are not covered by standard labor laws and not even classified as workers suggests that we value some work but not all. Look at figure i.6 in the 2010 Hunger Report on page 24. Think about what each line represents. What does increasing productivity tell us about workers? What does stagnating compensation tell us about the relationship between work and reward?
3. Think about purchases and choices you make that affect your relationships—direct and indirect—with all the workers that you listed. How might your choices harm or help those relationships? What policy decisions might disrupt or repair those relationships?
Read the sidebar in chapter 1 about the DC Central Kitchen. Discuss how this program works to restore relationships.
Reflection and Sharing on Restoring Relationship
What assumptions do you hold that must be changed to respect the dignity of all workers? What assumptions do you hold that respect the dignity to all workers? In what way do these assumptions reflect a lack of justice and righteousness in relationships? What choices can you make to help restore those broken relationships so that they reflect God’s intentions for our world?
Act
Based on your reflections, how might God be calling you individually or your group to act? Consider inspiring others with your story.
Consider inspiring others with your story. Bread for the World is collecting stories of what individuals and groups are doing to grow the movement to end hunger. Please visit www.bread.org/hungerreport and share the action(s) you took.
Closing Prayer
Lord, you have called us to treat all people with dignity. Show us how we may, with our thoughts and our actions, honor the dignity of all work and all workers. Amen.
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