Across the Pastor’s Desk

By the Rev. Don Rose, United and Mansfield Lutheran Churches

Once again the members of the state legislature are working down to the constitutional deadline for adjournment as they try to establish a balanced budget for the next biennium. There is no question about this being a challenging task when projected income will not meet anticipated expenses. Unfortunately it appears that there is more emphasis being placed on politics than on the people of the state. There is no doubt that very difficult decisions will need to be made, however, those difficult decisions need to affect everyone. There should be no group that is exempt from doing its part to make life in the state as good as it possibly can be for all of its citizens.

This having been said, it is also true that the tenets of most religions call upon their adherents to have special care and concern for those who are without. Those to be singled out for particular attention are the ones whom the world considers to be unimportant because they have neither status nor economic clout. Faith allows people to see the world differently, to see people as God sees them and to know that all are valuable not because of human status but because of God’s love.

As sinful people in a sinful world, it can become all too easy to allow the ways of the world to overshadow the wisdom of God. The world likes terms such as the “bottom line,” “efficient,” “cost-effective,” and so on. In and of themselves the terms are not a problem. However, often these terms are used to justify decisions that disproportionately affect the most vulnerable people in society. It is then they are terms that no longer serve the purposes of God. Pandering to special interest groups and the influential by whatever measure is not the path to which believers are directed.

It is a puzzle that religious beliefs may be referenced in votes regarding funding for Planned Parenthood clinics throughout the state but not when it come to votes regarding education, social services and the elderly to name a few. In challenging times people cannot afford to be so selective about the influence of their faith in the midst of daily life. The scriptures suggest that of those who have received much, much will be expected. We should do no less as the people of God.