This Sunday as Pastor David answers the question: How do we live in a world that is unfair? Join us in-person or online beginning at 10:30!
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FIVE EXAMPLES OF HOW LIFE IS UNFAIR
1. Abusive________________ (4:1-3)
…And it came about when Samuel was old that he appointed his sons judges over Israel…His sons, however, did not walk in His ways, but turned aside after dishonest gain and took bribes and perverted justice.
(I Samuel 8:1, 3)
2. _____________________ Exploitation
If you see a poor person being oppressed by the powerful and justice being miscarried throughout the land, don’t be surprised! For every official is under orders from higher up, and matters of justice only get lost in red tape and bureaucracy. Even the king milks the land for his own profit. (Ecc.5:8,9)
3. Personal ___________________
There is another evil I have seen under the sun. Kings and rulers make a grave mistake when they give great authority to foolish people and low positions to people of proven worth. I have even seen servants riding horseback like princes—and princes walking like servants! (Ecc.10:5-7)
4. Undeserved _________________ (7:15; 8:14. Ps.73)
5. ________________________ Circumstances
(7:14; 9:1,11-12; 10:8-9)
Jacob also went on his way, and the angels of God met him. (Genesis 32:1)
Q: HOW SHOULD WE LIVE IN AN UNFAIR WORLD?
1. _____ what the ____________ enables you to do
Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but those who help the poor honour Him.” (Prov.14:31)
If you are really eager to give, it isn’t important how much you are able to give. God wants you to give what you have, not what you don’t have. Of course, I don’t mean you should give so much that you suffer from having too little. I only mean that there should be some equality. Right now you have plenty and can help them. Then at some other time they can share with you when you need it. In this way everyone’s needs will be met. (II Corinthians 8:12-14) (NLT)
2. Trust the Lord to _____________ the scales (3:16-17, Ps.103)
Digging Deeper
Q1: Describe a time in your life when you felt like you were treated unfairly. How did you respond at the time? How do you view those situations now?
Q2: The Bible talks about oppression in two ways: 1) active oppression- when you take what is not yours to take 2) passive oppression- when you keep what is yours to share. Can you think of examples of each in our world? How about in your own life?
Q3: Of the 5 examples of unfairness identified, which one upsets you the most? Why?
Q4: Read Isaiah 10:5-15. How are the most powerful nations in the world described in these verses? What point is the Lord trying to make?
Q5: Read Psalm 73. What helped the psalmist handled the ungodly unfairness of life?
Q6: Read Ecclesiastes 8:11-13. What do these verses teach us regarding fairness?
Q7: In what ways has the Lord been “unfair” in His treatment towards us in a positive sense? In other words, what have we received that we do not deserve?