There are both spiritual and natural things in our midst that we need to give attention to as God gifts us and permits us to so do. This monumentally includes not only Matthew 28:18-20 Great Commission but also Acts 6 like matters in which the Seven were raised up to deal with what was effectively a case of discrimination across groups of people.
Like then there is a need for Matthew 28 and Acts 6 like Holy Spirit led bold definitive holy attitude, attention, and action by church leadership and membership at all levels. For the spiritual warfare is intensifying and it will show up in the natural more intensely.
(Matthew 22:17) Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?
(Matthew 22:18) But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?
(Matthew 22:19) Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.
(Matthew 22:20) And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?
(Matthew 22:21) They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.
(Matthew 22:22) When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.
In Romans 13:1-7 God says human governments are to be agents or ministers of his for ensuring that good rather than evil flourish in society. There is no separation of church and state in the Bible nor in the United States Constitution. There is spiritual warfare between good and evil recognized in both. If Christians of all races, ethnicity, and gender loose the war for the soul of our nation by failing to correct and improve Godly influence on our government at all levels and society in general then it is what we and our descendants get for our lack of wise faith and courage.
(Romans 13:1) Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
(Romans 13:2) Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
(Romans 13:3) For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
(Romans 13:4) For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
(Romans 13:5) Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
(Romans 13:6) For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
(Romans 13:7) Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
(1 Timothy 6:10) For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
(James 2:1) My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.
(James 2:2) For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;
(James 2:3) And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:
(James 2:4) Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
(James 2:5) Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
(James 2:6) But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?
(James 2:7) Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?
(James 2:8) If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:
(James 2:9) But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
In the Deuteronomy 23 scriptures the Hebrew word translated usury has the idea of oppressing another with an excessive and unreasonable amount of interest on a loan. It does not say it is unrighteous to charge interest. It establishes that one should not charge excessive interest to the point of harming a fellow citizen. This means excessive to the point where the payments are so high that folks are not able to pay their rent or mortgage or by their children adequate clothing or food and so on.
I do find it interesting that foreigners are not entitled to certain rights such as the one concerning usury. This means that illegal immigrants are not entitled to the same financial system as citizens of a nation. This means those who enter illegally may be deported and encouraged to enter legally. Indeed, those who enter legally and become citizens are entitled to the same rights as fellow citizens (Leviticus 25:35-37).
The above scriptures in an integrated way demonstrates that God cares about the attitudes, speech, and actions of governments, businesses, and individuals to include regulating socio-economic activities within a nation/society. It follows that the Christian church should also care in an impartial fair and reasonable and balanced way. This applies to those Christian churches who are predominantly black and those who are predominantly white and otherwise.
Therefore, it should be abundantly clear that God cares about socio-economic conditions and mandates government involvement in enforcing those regulations.
Therefore, every church whether predominantly black or white should recognize, preach, teach, and practice God’s instruction that all do their part to ensure righteous socio-economic systems exist which does not oppress any person.
Additional scriptures for consideration:
Psalm 24:1 reminds us that the whole earth belongs to God and therefore we all should surrender to him.
(Deuteronomy 23:19) Thou shalt not lend upon usury [H5391] to thy brother; usury of money, usury of victuals, usury of any thing that is lent upon usury:
(Deuteronomy 23:20) Unto a stranger [H5237] thou mayest lend upon usury [H5391] ; but unto thy brother thou shalt not lend upon usury: that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all that thou settest thine hand to in the land whither thou goest to possess it.
(Matthew 6:24) No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
(Matthew 6:33) But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
References:
A More Detailed Look at Usury in the Bible
