The other evening, I went to view the new movie Wall Street, written up in the newspapers as the #1 movie in America, a great movie, thrilling, smart, entertaining, great fun to watch, and its main character was masterfully played by Michael Douglas. It was more than I had bargained for.
It made me think of a chapter in the Bible written by King David in the 10th century BC:
Listen everyone! High and low, rich and poor, all around the world—listen to my words, for they are wise and filled with insight. I will tell in song accompanied by harps the answer to one of life’s most perplexing problems. There is no need to fear when times of trouble come, even though surrounded by enemies! They trust in their wealth and boast about how rich they are, yet not one of them, though rich as kings, can ransom his own brother from the penalty of sin! For God’s forgiveness does not come that way. For a soul is far too precious to be ransomed by mere earthly wealth. There is not enough of it in all the earth to buy eternal life for just one soul to keep it out of hell. Rich man! Proud man! Wise man! You must die like all the rest! You have no greater lease on life than foolish, stupid men. You must leave your wealth to others. You name your estates after yourselves as though your lands could be forever yours, and you could live on them eternally. But man with all his pomp must die like any animal. Such is the folly of these men though after they die they will be quoted as having great wisdom. Death is the shepherd of all mankind. And in the morning, those who are evil will be slaves of those who are good. For the power of their wealth is gone when they die; they cannot take it with them. But as for me, God will redeem my soul from the power of death, for he will receive me. So, do not be dismayed when evil men grow rich and build their lively homes. For when they die they carry nothing with them! Their honors will not follow them. Though a man calls himself happy all through his life—and the world loudly applauds success—yet in the end he dies like everyone else and enters eternal darkness. For man with all his pomp must die like any animal (Psalms 49:1-20).
King Solomon also wrote:
A fortune can be made from cheating, but there is a curse that goes with it. The Lord loathes all cheating. When you help the poor you are lending to the Lord and he pays wonderful interest on your loan” (Proverbs 20:21).
Leaving the theater, I reflected on how widespread poverty is throughout the world and how only a few men control the destiny of those who are not in power. As we approach another election, remember that your vote can make a difference in electing those who are sensitive to the needs of our citizens.
This idea is crystallized in my poem “US”:
US
God looked down on
US
Creating a nation just for
US
Red, white, black, yellow and brown are
US
Therefore, we all live in that
Trust
Without us, can’t be
US
God bless
U.S.