Quote of Note #237/Prayer Note #71: Right Use of our Surplus

"Grant that all who have a surplus of this bread may know by this very fact that they are appointed as servants, as dispensers of thy grace, that they are in thy service and in the service of others." K. Barth (click link below for full quote)

Quote of Note #223: The Human Destructive Inclination toward the Stranger

"We know what our race does to strangers. Man destroys or enslaves every species he can. Civilized man murders, enslaves, cheats, and corrupts savage man. Even inanimate nature he turns into dust bowls and slag-heaps." C. S. Lewis (click link to read full quote)

Quote of Note #222: Ethical Capitalism & the Danger of Wealth

"Why is wealth such a threat...? First, wealth allows the rich to separate themselves from others--to become independent of others and isolated from the needs of others." L. Sweet

Quote of Note #200: Caring for the Weak & Vulnerable

"We do justice and God smiles."

Bible Note #59: Zacchaeus #3–Tax Collecting in Roman Palestine

Right up front, Luke tells us two key pieces of information about Zacchaeus.  He was a chief tax collector, and he was rich.  These two facts were not unrelated.  Zacchaeus was rich because he was the chief tax collector of the region. Let’s review some of what it meant for Zacchaeus to be a tax … Continue reading Bible Note #59: Zacchaeus #3–Tax Collecting in Roman Palestine