This morning we deal with two rather difficult subjects, poverty and slavery. It may be less visible here in the country, but in the cities, it’s common to see a panhandler with a sign, begging for money. How does that strike you? Are you moved by compassion? Do you toss a couple of bucks his way and feel rosy inside, a good deed done for the day? Or are you moved by skepticism? Hey, that’s why I pay taxes, so we can have a welfare program and he doesn’t have to beg (and I don’t have to think much about it, I might add). He probably just wants money for alcohol or drugs. What does the Bible say about poverty? Are we supposed to give away all our wealth so that others will have more and get out of poverty? What about slavery? How are we to think about that? Well slavery is bad and that’s that. But are we thinking anachronistically? Are we taking our constitution, our amended constitution which outlaws slavery, and taking this principle and applying it to the Scriptures? There is much judgment and criticism taking place now in society, casting anachronistic judgment on the founding fathers, and other historical figures, and much the same has happened to those historical figures in the Bible. Does the Bible condone slavery as some nonbelievers charge? What does the Bible say about slavery and which, if any, principles might we be able to apply in our times? Let me remind you why God’s word is so important and why we place such high emphasis on it in our worship: “Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.” (Prov. 30:5) To approach God’s word is to confront the truth. His word is the standard. And it is authoritative for our lives. “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” (Is. 40:8) God doesn’t change his mind. His word is solid and trustworthy. We can rely on his word. And as Christians, as God’s adopted children, we are expected to not only hear God’s word, in our own private readings and gathered worship, but in hearing we are then expected to obey it! Jesus said, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.” (Luke 8:21) When we encounter the word of God we must then respond. Be doers of the word, not hearers only. So we can approach these challenging subjects, poverty and slavery, and we can be sure that whatever God says, his word is true, authoritative and we are to keep it.