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The sins of Sodom

The prophet Jeremiah defines the sins of Sodom, “Look, this was the iniquity of Sodom: She had pride, fullness of food, and abundance of idleness; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they were haughty and committed abomination before Me; therefore I took them away as I saw fit.” (Ezekiel 16:49-50 NKJV). The prophet Isaiah said, “Unless the Lord of hosts had left to us a very small remnant, we would have become like Sodom.” (Isaiah 1:9 NKJV).

We are quick to judge the sins of the notorious cities of Sodom and its neighbor Gomorrah with sexual immorality of which they were guilty. However, the sins recognized and condemned by the prophet Ezekiel did not mention that for which these cities are so infamously known.

Consider the charges against them: they were prideful; they had food in abundance; they wasted time; they were haughty, and they did not care for the poor. These things led to their great depravity and a total collapse of their society. Therefore they were an abomination to God.

We believers (Christians) are often quick to make these accusations and charges against our nation.. We blame the humanists, the atheists, many politicians and educators, and anybody with whom we may differ.

These may truly be in Spiritual darkness. Yet, how can we blame those stumbling in the dark when we are the light of the world. Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-15 NKJV).

Let us be honest. The attributes of Sodom: “they were prideful; they had abundance; they wasted time; they were haughty, and they did not care for the poor,” often describe the church just as much as the world. We are often prideful in our doctrine (much being the doctrine of man). We overeat and waste more food than most of the world has to survive. As for wasting time, need we say more than television?

Then there is the sin of not caring for the poor. Few of us know people who are hungry, let alone starving. Nevertheless, that does not negate the fact that a huge portion of our world is severely malnourished.

We have to do more than give a few old cans of soup to the local food basket. Let’s do that, but also remember, “That God so loved the world,” not just our hometown.

As it does with “Work,” the Bible has much to say about generosity and giving to the poor. Consider the works of a virtuous woman. “She extends her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.” (Proverbs 31:20). There is a great difference between almsgiving and giving a helping hand. Both are needed, but the latter is of a more lasting value. Yes, we should give financially to the poor to assist them in their poverty.

Nevertheless, giving only financially to the poor seldom gets them out of their poverty–it too often keeps them in their poverty. It is good to give both: financially for an immediate need and guidance for getting out of poverty. One takes money the other takes time. And the giving of time takes work, patience, and compassion. The giving of money may clear the conscience; the giving of time may clear the poverty. Let us learn how to give and if ever impoverished, let us learn how to receive.

Ponder these two proverbs: “He who gives to the poor lends to the Lord.” (Proverbs 19:17). And “The Borrower is servant to the lender.” (Proverbs 22:7). In the context of these proverbs consider that we are to be the lenders and the Lord is the borrower, thus making Himself the Servant. If I am reading this correctly, our God wants to serve us that we might serve the least of these His children.

All that it takes to stay God’s hand of judgment, as Isaiah said, is a very small remnant of the faithful. Are you numbered there?

We live in a very wicked age. The sins of Sodom and the wickedness of Gomorrah are rampant. The only thing saving this reprobate generation is God’s remnant. If God chooses to spare us because of a few, what will He do if there are many? We need a revival/an awakening in our churches (maybe your church).

God’s people need to walk in obedience to His Word. Instead of fighting the world, we need to win the world. It is time for the remnant to shine and do the work of winning the lost that we may fulfill our ministries (2 Timothy 4:5). It is easy to see the awfulness of a sinful world. It is quite another thing to change it. Our nation/world is heading for the fate of Sodom. Let us be the remnant that makes the difference. Let us set aside those sins that so easily beset us: pride, fullness of food, abundance of idleness; and let us strengthen the hand of the poor and needy (consider ministries such as worldhelp.net).

(“From the Pulpit” is a weekly sermon provided by the clergy members of The Weirton Ministerial Association)

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