I was emailing this evening with Jim Wallis. Its always a blessing to hear what’s on Reverend Wallis’ mind. He’s a good friend, great leader, prophetic minister and caring pastor.
He mentioned a recent posting of his at God’s Politics. Upon checking it out I was moved by his call to all of us to center ourselves, in these final few days leading up to the election, on those issues and beliefs that matter most to us.
I encourage all to view and ponder “My Personal ‘Faith Priorities’ for this Election” by Reverend Wallis.
Here are some excerpts:
“I… suggest that each of you come up with your own list of “faith” or “moral” priorities for this election year and take them into the polling place with you.”
“In any election, we face imperfect choices, but our choices should reflect the things we believe God cares about if we are people of faith, and our own moral sensibilities if we are not people of faith. Therefore, people of faith, and all of us, should be “values voters” but vote all our values, not just a few that can be easily manipulated for the benefit of one party or another.”
“…I am in no position to tell anyone what is “non-negotiable,” and neither is any Bishop or megachurch pastor…”
This is refreshing because, if you will remember, four years ago a group of Bishops and pastors sent out an email to millions across the nation offering up a very narrow list of values they said were “non-negotiables” for all values voters. Sadly, this list was politically motivated and structured to ensure a partisan outcome.
Reverend Wallis, in sharing his own list while encouraging us all to embrace our own values-based list is reminding us to not be manipulated and led astray in the final hours… to finish the race we started and to finish it strong.
posted March 25, 2010 at 6:04 pm
Mr. Wallis, I heard your comments on the Glen Beck program in your own words and your dead wrong. The word of God does not call for a redistribution of wealth. It teaches that a person should be finanically responsible. All through the Old Testament and in the New Testament, being wealthy isn’t condemed. It is when you let your wealth become your God and take the place of the heavenly father that wealth is wrong.I work hard for what little I have and I am not going to let you or any other man take it away from me without the cost of my life. If God wants me to walk away from all that I have, I am confident that he will come to me through te holy spirit and tell me to do so. One of the greatest Apostels, the Apostle Paul even said that a man must work to eat bread. He didn’t say free load. The book of Proverbs says that a slothful man will come to poverty but a dilligent man will eat of his labors. I am paraphrasing of course, but the fact exist is that God wants man to prosper as long as he does it in the right way. I have seen charlatins like you all of my life, you preach brotherhood and adovacate that everyone is equal when Christ by his own admissions said that the poor will be with you always. I take this to mean even unto the end of time. So I would appreciate it if you stop teaching false doctrine and start teaching people the truth. It is good to have charity in your heart, it is commanded that we not be greedy, but God has promised us that if we live by his laws we will increase. He told the children of Israel that if you obey me, you will prosper in the city, you will prosper in the country, you will prosper from coming in and going out and your enemies will come unto you 1 way and flee before you 7 ways. Keep teaching lies if you like, but you are not fooling some of us. In an hour and day appointed prosperity will come to thoes who are steadfast and though I am not a saint by any strecth of the imagination, I will hold stead fast in Jehovah, for I have the promise of his rich blessings and protection against the lies of the devil which you seem to be teaching. May God come quickly and his reward with him and may the Lord Jesus impart to you a just reward for your work.