IS  CAPITALISM  BECOMING  UNETHICAL?

Many observers have been concerned that we in the US are losing our middle class, as the rich become richer and the poor become poorer. The December issue of the Atlantic magazine underscores a cause for this movement by chronicling the divorce of business from the common good of society. In the not so distant past, businesses made significant and responsible contributions to local causes. Author Freeland records how in the 50's and 60's business leaders were also leaders in the community because they felt a responsibility to their town or city. They went well beyond their 'bottom line'.
Yet, in this current climate of cuttroat competion, many CEO's aren't troubled ethically for treating their employees poorly by granting low wages with little or no health benefits.
Fortunately, a renewal movement is coming on the scene, sustainable capitalism, which has as its approach an inclusive social responsibility that benefits the broader society. The fact is that many companies who behave in this manner do experience greater profits in the long haul.
Author Chrystia Freeland uses  a twist on St. Augustine in her conclusion: "Lord, make me good, but make my competitors and my investors good, too".

A NEW YEARS QUESTION: ARE WE TREATING PERSONS JUSTLY OR UNJUSTLY?

It is great to give someone a compliment, yet is far better to add value to another's life. To live justly is to confer worth and value to a person's walk in this value-robbing world. To live unjustly is to take value from another and take it for ourselves. So how do we live in 2014 guided by a commitment to live justly toward others and add worth to them?
Think with me a moment about a few value-robbers:

• To advertisers we are only customers
• In too many churches we are multiple dollar givers
• In too many marriages the wives or husbands are valued only as sex partners

Here are a couple of ways we can add value and worth to another. These are examples: first, is to receive another's ideas, dreams, or hopes as a cause to celebrate and then to help in implementing their ideas, dreams and hopes. Why is this important? Consider the crux of Psalm 8,"...You made (man) a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with with glory and honor. You made him ruler over the works of your ( God's)hands and put everything under his feet." Our God lifts persons from self imposed and other imposed abuse and horrific treatment onto the highest pinnacle of acclaim and honor!
Secondly, Jesus gives us the true definition of humility. In John 13 we recall His washing the disciples feet. which, of course, is an act of humility. But do we consider John's words immediately prior to this event?
"Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under His power and that He had come from God and was returning to God..." Then and only then did He begin to bend low and merge towel with feet. Humility toward others never means groveling in poverty of self esteem before others. On the contrary, we bend down in service to others from a position of strength and empowerment. 'foot washing' is a gift that can enhance others. It is a deed of genuine goodness that may cost us money and/or time. Perhaps it is mowing a lawn for a single mother or crippled senior. Maybe it is surprising a needy family with 3 weeks of groceries. These are idea starters for a life-style of feet washing. What we do will be in the spirit of the exalted and humbled Christ Jesus.
"And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God."      Micah 6;8