Confucius said, “In a country well governed, poverty is something to be ashamed of. In a country badly governed, wealth is something to be ashamed of.”

As we gather to celebrate Thanksgiving this week in the USA we should not forget that our “well governed” nation has reason to be ashamed of our tolerance of poverty.

Our tradition tells us that Moses described the promised land as:
Deuteronomy 8:7-14, 17 7For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land with flowing streams, with springs and underground waters welling up in valleys and hills, 8a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey, 9a land where you may eat bread without scarcity, where you will lack nothing, a land whose stones are iron and from whose hills you may mine copper. 10You shall eat your fill and bless the Lord your God for the good land that he has given you.

Surely the United States has been a land rich in resources but sick in soul. We can change that whenever we are ready to.

These progressive sermons are available as podcasts at: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/progressive-faith-sermons/id419225485

Order a copy of Progressive Faith and Practice by Roger L. Ray at: http://www.amazon.com/Progressive-Faith-Practice-Shalt-Stand/dp/1625648464/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409522061&sr=8-1&keywords=roger+l+ray