What does God’s word speak to this? Does it warn the government? Does it warn the rich? Does it warn against greed? Does it warn us to help the poor and the stranger? It does all those things.
Ecclesiastes 5:9 More over the profit of the land is for all; even the king is served from the field.
What about corporations? Should they raise their prices because they should pay their employees a living wage when their profits are already great?
James 5:3-4 Your silver and gold are corroded and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You heaped up treasure in the last days. Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.
Deuteronomy 24:14-15 You shall not oppress a hired servant who is poor and needy, whether one of your brethren or one of the aliens who is in your land within your gates, And not let the sun go down on it, for he is poor and has set his heart on it; lest he cry out against you to the Lord, and it be sin to you.
I was told by one who worked for a company when I asked about the empty shelves that there was plenty of stock but they would not put it out until they could raise the prices. Also we have seen that many places have replaced people with do it yourself checkout. How much profit is truly needed? When we die it is not going with us.
Proverbs 22:1 A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold.
Proverbs 28:6 Better is the poor who walk in his integrity than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
There are many more poor than rich. Often we find the poorer more willing to share.
James 2:6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into courts?
It is not riches that are bad; it is the heart. The heart we are told to guard.
Proverbs 4:23 Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.
God made much provision in His word for the poor.
Leviticus 23:22 When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the corners of your field when you reap, nor shall you gather any gleanings from your harvest. You shall leave them for the poor and for the stranger: I am the Lord your God.
Isaiah 58:6-7 Is this not the fast I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; when you see the naked, that you cover him, and not hide yourself from your own flesh?
Psalm 41:1-3 Blessed is he who considers the poor; the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. The Lord will preserve him and keep him alive, and he will be blessed on the earth; You will not deliver him to his enemies. The Lord will strengthen him on his bed of illness; You will sustain him on his sickbed.
Yes we all need God our Creator of all things great and small.
John 14:15 If you love Me keep My commandments.
