In December 2012, a lone gunman walked into a school at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, and killed 20 children and 6 adults. He had already killed his mother before leaving home, and he took his own life before he quit shooting. Here was but another example of how evil manifests itself in our world. Long ago God expressed His disgust at the way the powerful ripped off the less fortunate. We read in Amos chapter 5: “You trample the poor, stealing their grain through taxes and unfair rent. Therefore, though you build beautiful stone houses, you will never live in them. Though you plant lush vineyards, you will never drink wine from them. You oppress good people by taking bribes and deprive the poor of justice in the courts. So those who are smart keep their mouths shut, for it is an evil time. Do what is good and run from evil so that you may live! Then the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies will be your helper, just as you have claimed. Hate evil and love what is good, turn your courts into the halls of justice. Perhaps even yet the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies will have mercy on the remnant of his people.” God is displeased when we hurt others—especially the less fortunate—children, elderly, handicapped, or poor.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr. is the founder and chairman of UMI (Urban Ministries, Inc.). Under his direction, UMI has grown to be a leading publisher of Christian education resources for churches in the African American community. Read More
