Isaiah 55
An Invitation to Abundant Life
Slavery is a word that causes a strong response in the emotions of most people today. Yet, there is a type of slavery that we do not consider, that is “wage slave.” These are individuals that are bound to a system of surviving only paycheck to paycheck; facing extended debt, and owning no property or means of building wealth. Unfortunately, this is the condition of too many people, especially young people in our society. This type of life, bound by an economic system designed to keep them in debt and no hope for the future. This is why that many are postponing marriage, family, or just giving in and putting their next Uber Eats order on a payment plan.
In one of his last interviews, the free speech advocate, Charlie Kirk was talking about how the economic system, where the super-rich are getting richer and the bottom half of the population are stagnated or even falling behind. In his conversations with multiple college students, he realized that hopeless is what most of them feel about the future. They are disillusioned with the American Dream that their lives will be better than their parents. Too bad this voice for the future of young adults has been silenced.
Isaiah 55 is speaking to former slaves, to those that did not have a hope for their future. He calls them to the abundant life found in the gifts of God. This is not a call for “government giveaways,” but a presentation of the full life that comes to those that call upon the Lord while he is near (v. 6), and seek out his way for living V 7-10). To stop wasting your money on that which does not satisfy. Just a Jesus warned the disciples, “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.” The junk food of this world, the junk food of those that want you to remain subservient to them, the junk food that keeps us in a delusion is countered by the freely given abundant life of God.
The answer to wage-slavery is dignity in work. Yes, there are unpleasant jobs, but those in them need to have the satisfaction that what they are doing is providing a home and hope for their children. A dignified life that allows you to enjoy the fruit of your labor is the life envisioned for all in Scripture:
But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree,
and no one shall make them afraid,
for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken. (Micah 4:4).
We are not calling for the end of private property because some abuse it. We are proclaiming the biblical vision of each person enjoying the fruits of their labor and them being an active participate in the economic system.
Pastor Greg
