Fair Food, Fair Wages Are Kingdom Ethics; 1 Kings 5:1-5

 

Rev. George Miller

Oct 31, 2021

1 Kings 5:1-5

 

81 miles southwest of us is a place called Immokalee, where the soil is rich, and the people identify as Haitian, Hispanic, and Native American.

 

Immokalee’s adamah, which is Hebrew for soil, is so good that beans, peppers, cucumbers come from there.

 

But perhaps they are most known for their tomatoes.  Juicy, ripe tomatoes grown in the Florida soil, which is God’s nahalah, or inheritance.

 

It is not easy work that our Haitian, Latino, White and Native American sisters and brothers endure, spending long hours in the fields, sometimes without proper shade or water.

 

Verbal abuse and sexual harassment can be common, as well as workers not being paid for the hours they work. 

 

In some places, modern day slavery exists, just a 90-minute drive away.

 

BUT, fortunately, there is a national movement that has been going on for over a decade, a movement that the UCC is a major player in.

 

It is called the Fair Food Program.  With offices in Sarasota and Immokalee, the Fair Food Program is one in which local farmers, farmworkers and national retail companies come together to ensure that those who are picking our food are getting paid a humane wage.

 

The Fair Food Program has created a 24-hour hotline in which employees can report abuse and injustice.

 

This program has reduced the number of women being raped in the field, the folk being verbally assaulted.

 

In 10 years they’ve addressed 24,000 worker complaints, got $273,000 in back wages paid, and…they have put $30 million dollars of earned income into the hands of the farm workers.

 

Over 12 national corporations have made a legally binding pledge to only purchase produce that falls under the Fair Food Program.

 

Companies like Walmart, McDonalds, Taco Bell, Burger King, Whole Foods.

 

Guess what the cost is to ensure that modern-day human beings working in the fields just 81 miles can live an abuse and poverty free life?

 

1 extra penny a pound.

 

1 penny.

 

1 penny to ensure that fathers can feed their families, mothers don’t have to worry about being inappropriately touched, and our Haitian, Hispanic, White, Asian, and Native American sisters and brothers can know they will have enough shade, water, and rest.

 

There are 2 holdouts to being part of the Fair Food Program.  2 corporations that say is not their responsibility to tell their suppliers how to pay their employees.

 

Those 2 corporations refusing to pay an extra penny a pound are Wendy’s and Publix.

 

May we pray that eventually their hearts will be changed.

 

So instead of Publix and Wendy’s purchasing produce that is literally right down the highway from us, they buy overseas and other countries…and then we act surprised when foods like onions can’t be eaten because of a salmonella outbreak.

 

What is justice, what is kindness, what is humility if it is not paying people fair wages and empowering folk to live their best possible lives?

 

We share this today, because it ties into today’s reading.

 

Much time has passed since Hannah stood before God in the Temple. Her son Samuel grew to a great leader.

 

He appointed Saul and David as Kings.

 

And now David’s son Solomon has taken over the monarchy.

 

Solomon doesn’t waste a moment.  He gets rid of anyone who was a traitor to his dad, he executes all who rebelled.

 

After tightening loose ends, he marries the Pharoah’s daughter, ensuring that Israel and Egypt get along.

 

And although Israel, like Immokalee, was agriculturally based, it controlled the trading routes that linked Europe, Asia, and Africa.

 

…Interesting…

 

So, with no traitors, no rebels, no threat of war, and a steady supply of cargo coming through, the nation gets to rest and just be…

 

That’s when Solomon decides it is time to finally build a Temple for God. 

 

Not just any Temple, a Temple to end all Temples, and to do so, he’s going to need a lot of supplies and an abundance of workers.

 

But Israel isn’t known for their lumber.

 

So, King Solomon reaches out to the King of Tyre, an emerging leader of the ancient world, and he strikes a deal.

 

“Listen,” Solomon says to the King, “My pops was too busy fighting wars to build a temple.  But now all is chill.  I’m going to build the Lord a home, and everyone knows that Lebanon has the best lumber.”

 

“So, let’s make a deal.  What if your citizens and my citizens come together and cut down the cedars?  I will pay your people a fair wage, and I’ll give whatever you ask, because everyone knows that no one can cut wood like your people.”

 

Do you hear what’s going on?

 

Solomon is tying his nation’s economy to the economy of another.  He’s buttering the King up with compliments. 

 

The King of Tyre is overwhelmed with joy.  “My servants will ship you the supplies you need, and you will supply our needs by making sure my people have food to eat and a fair wage to live a good life.”

 

To which King Solomon agrees and as a sign of good-will, gives the King of Tyre 7 and half million pounds of wheat and 115,000 gallons of fine oil.

 

It’s interesting what is going on here.  The King of Israel has entered into a time of peace and prosperity.

 

And what does he do?

 

He builds a House for the Lord.

 

He strikes an agreement with a neighboring nation.

 

He offers to pay everyone a fair wage, even though they are foreigners.

 

He guarantees that the workers can feed their families and take care of their homes.

 

And did you notice the gifts?  Not only did he give an abundance of wheat and oil, did you hear what kind of oil it is?

 

Fine oil.

 

King Solomon didn’t just give the King of Tyre 115,000 gallons of Wesson or store brand oil.

 

He gave them fine oil.  The Colavita.  The Montebello.  The E-La-Won.

 

He gave them the olive oil that only the best of the best could afford. 

 

In fact, in the original Hebrew, what he gives them is “beaten” oil. 

 

Regular olive oil was processed on stone presses.  But beaten oil- that was done via a process in which olives were beaten in a mortar with a handheld pestle.

 

Which meant that instead of giving the King of Tyre the kind of olive oil that is self-serve, it’s the kind that required paid labor to do.

 

Can we hear what is going on here?

 

The construction of the Temple is not just a worship-based event, but it is also one that’s creating jobs, creating alliances, and blessing the economies of 2 nations.

 

It is amazing to see, and so different than what we experience in modern times.

 

This is not King Solomon saying he won’t pay an extra penny. 

 

This is not two leaders trying to exploit their citizens to get the fastest, cheapest labor.

 

This is an example of how nations, economies, citizens can all benefit by following the teaching of the commandments and embracing what it means to do justice, love kindness, and to walk ethically with the Lord.

 

Is King Solomon completely perfect?  No.  Are his actions completely ego-free?  Probably not.

 

Does he forgo bearing arms and engaging in scandalous relationships?  Heck no.

 

But here, for a moment in time, we witness what happens to a nation, a people, and a work force when it is about the glory of God and the opportunity to praise.

 

So, if King Solomon could give the people of Tyre a fair wage and the finest oil, what’s the chances that places like Publix and Wendy’s can pay an extra penny?

 

Would you be willing to pay an extra penny if it meant you knew your sisters and brothers were being treated fairly?

 

This is something for all of us to think about.                            Amen and amen.

From Oct 24; What You Do DOES Make a Difference; Sermon on 1 Samuel 16:1-13

 

Rev. George Miller

Oct 24, 2021

1 Samuel 16:1-13

 

Ever have one of those days where you wonder “Why?” “Where’s the purpose?” “Does what I do matter?”

 

If so, we have three stories to share with you.  Here’s the first story.

 

Once upon a time, in the frozen land of Maine, lived a couple named Charles and Rebecca.  They lived a good life. 

 

As they got older, they decided to create a scholarship.  They gave generously to this scholarship year in and year out, but they rarely heard back from those who had received.

 

“Why bother?” they wondered, deciding this would be the last year they would give of their well-earned gifts.

 

Little did they know that on that year, their gifts would go to a rather bratty, out-spoken, Long Islander who had finally decided to stop running from the Lord.

 

During that 1^st semester, thanks to the prompting of the school, he wrote a barely legible “thank you” to this couple named Charles and Rebecca, and their response was nothing but pure love, gratitude, and joy that what they did had made a difference.

 

For three years their generosity allowed him to attend Seminary, do field-ed and serve 2 unique churches.

 

It’s fair to say that what Charles and Rebecca did back in 2001 mattered.  It mattered to me.  I pray it has mattered to you, and to our community.

 

How different life would’ve been if it were not for the sacrifice of these 2 people I didn’t know.

 

Do they truly know the difference they have made?

 

Are they aware that in some way, their actions began a path that would wind from Grand Rapids to Highlands County, which would include a food pantry, a vacation bible school, a benefit for Haiti, and now a church that may become Open and Affirming?

 

…Ever have one of those days where you wonder “Why?” “Where’s the purpose?” “Does what I do matter?”

 

If so, here’s a second story.

 

Once upon a time, 3,000 years ago in the arid land of Israel, lived a couple named Elkanah and Hannah.

 

Hannah was a woman of faith who had the audacity to call upon the Lord and ask for the one thing she wanted.

 

A son she promised that she would dedicate back to God.

 

9 months later she gave birth to a boy named Samuel; 3 years later she gave her boy to God, in the Temple.

 

This story has a lot of things about it that can make us feel uncomfortable.

 

What does it mean that Hannah got to have a son when we know so many women and so many men who do everything they can, and never have a child, no matter how hard they pray?

 

How do we feel that her husband was Ok with giving their son up?

 

Is the Bible saying we are supposed to be like Hannah, that we should give up our precious babies to God?

 

These are all vital, uncomfortable questions to ask, and it’ll be good to revisit these questions when Advent comes along and we see Mary get a message from an angel about Jesus.

 

So, what became of Hannah’s son?  Did her unconventional choice make a difference?

 

Scripture tells us that after Hannah sung her song of praise, she went home, only seeing her son once a year.

 

Samuel grew under the guidance of Eli, the chief priest.  He began to minister before the Lord.  One day, God calls upon him.  “Samuel, Samuel!”  To which Samuel says “Speak, your servant is listening.”

 

God says to him “I am about to do something new that’s gonna make folks’ ears tingle!”

 

Samuel grows.  God is right with him, revealing all new things to him, and Samuel became God’s press secretary.

 

A war breaks out.  Eli dies, the Ark of the Covenant is captured.  Samuel is the people’s last hope.  He steps up to the challenge, gathers the people, gives instruction, leads them in powerful prayer. 

 

With every citizen deeply scared, they call upon Samuel to cry out to God, and the Lord hears him, the Lord answers, and the enemy is defeated.

 

Samuel led the people for decades, known for administering justice.

 

Under God’s guidance, Samuel anoints Israel’s first king- Saul.  But Saul is not all he could be, so God has Samuel anoint Israel’s second king.

 

That’s the scripture we encounter today.  Hannah’s son, Samuel, goes to Bethlehem, a small backwater town, and anoints an unknown shepherd named David to be the future king.

 

This David- he would go onto to become known as the nation’s greatest King, a warrior, and the great, great ancestor of Jesus’ father, Joseph.

 

Does what Hannah did decades before when she wailed before God and dedicated her son, make a whit of a difference?

 

Scripture would tell us that what Hannah did made all the difference.

 

Even if we struggle with her choices.  Even if we wonder “Why her and not everyone else?” 

 

Here is an every-day woman who was sick and tired of being sick and tired, who marched into the Temple, made a demand upon God, and no one’s life would ever be the same again.

 

Even if Hannah never got to see it.  Even if she never knew it.  Even if she has no idea that 3,000 years later a bratty, out-spoke, Long Islander would be speaking about her.

 

…Ever have one of those days where you wonder “Why?” “Where’s the purpose?” “Does what I do matter?”

 

Of course it does.  Most likely you’ll never know it, never see it, you’ll never get a thank-you or a sermon about you. 

 

But what you do matters.  What you choose to do, or not do, each and everyday matters.  It has an effect.  It makes a difference.

 

It may not make front page.  The result may not manifest in your lifetime. 

 

But what we do matters.

 

That’s what has made the past few months at Emmanuel UCC so exciting.

 

We are getting to personally experience and see the difference 1 person, 1 dollar can make.

 

The 14 people who came together last month to bag the groceries for Monday’s Pantry- we got to see the difference that made.

 

The collecting of coins for Back Bay and wearing of the stars for Cuba, quickly raising the funds needed to clean the entire outside of this building.

 

Last week when we raised $470, $1,150, $1,230 for Haiti, being able to send 24 students to school.

 

Students we don’t know, students we’ll most likely never meet, who may never write to us and know where their education came.

 

But think of the possibilities, think of think of the futures being shaped by saying 24 youth on a shimmering island in the sea are going to school, because of us.

 

Could one of them be the next Hannah, the next Samuel or David?

 

…Ever have one of those days where you wonder “Why?” “Where’s the purpose?” “Does what I do matter?”

 

If so, here’s the third and final story.

 

Once upon a time, in the Pearl of the Antilles, was a little dark-skinned girl with a big voice who was adopted by a man named Amos Eugene.

 

Rev. Eugene and his wife loved this little girl and installed in her a deep faith in the Lord.  He invested so much in her, preached sermons that forever changed her life, gifted her with music.

 

He died a few days ago, but his legacy lives on in his beautiful daughter Carnide, who has blessed us so.

 

If it were not for Rev. Eugene, there may not have been a Carnide at Emmanuel UCC, and without a Carnide, where would we be?

 

Would money have been raised for those 24 children to go to school?

 

Would our worship be as it is today?

 

What we do does make a difference.  Especially when what we do is shaped by God, for God, with God.

 

We may never know the long term affect we make; we may never see the benefits or hear the “thank yous.”

 

But know this- what we do for God, what we do for God’s kingdom, for God’s people, will always make a difference, will always leave a mark.

 

In that way we are all Hannahs, we are all Samuels, and we are all Davids.

 

We are embodied with the ability to be a blessing, especially when what we do, we do for the Lord. 

Amen and amen.

From Oct 17- The Acts of Hannah; sermon on 1 Samuel 2:1-10

 

Rev. George Miller

Oct 17, 2021

1 Samuel 2:1-10

 

Question for today- “What is the bigger miracle?”

 

Here you are, attending worship with a pastor who is a believer in miracles, believing that miracles happen every day.

 

But not just I.  Ari and Carnide can testify and tell of the miracles they have experienced.

 

Water into wine; multitudes fed; manna from heaven; resurrection.

 

The question for today is “What is the bigger miracle?”  But first, a story.

 

Once upon a time, 3,000 years ago, in the land of Israel, there was a woman named Hannah. 

 

She had a husband named Elkanah who loved her very much. 

 

But he had a second wife, we’ll call her Penny, who had many children.

 

Hannah had none, so Penny would tease her.

 

Every year Elkanah would go to the Temple to worship and praise the Lord.  On those trips, Penny would bully Hannah more and more.

 

Hannah would weep and refuse to eat.  Her husband said “Why are you so sad?  I love you so very, very much, just the way you are.  Am I not worth more than 10 sons to you?”

 

One year, after having a meal, Hannah rose up and marched to the Temple. 

 

Eli, the head Priest was sitting at the front door.  Hannah paid him no mind, walked right past him, and presented herself to the Lord.

 

She was distressed.  She was upset.  She wept with bitterness.  “Oh Lord,” she cried, “Look at me; remember me!

 

Jog your memory!  I know who I am; I know what I want.  Give me a son and I will give him to you.”

 

The audacity!  The tears! 

 

Hannah continued praying right there, not giving a fig what anyone thought.  She was moving her mouth so fast that Eli assumed she was drunk.

 

“Put away your wine!” he said, “You’re making a fool of yourself.”  Hannah faced the chief priest. 

 

“No, I am not drunk. I am a woman deeply troubled, pouring out my heart and soul to God.  I am anxious, I am vexed, I am doing something about it.”

 

Eli says “May God give you what you want.  Go in peace.”

 

“Yes,” she replies, “May I find favor in God’s sight.”

 

With that, she’s no longer sad.  She dines with her husband, wakes up the next day, worships God, goes home, and they make sweet, sweet love.

 

9 months later she has a son, Samuel. 

 

The next year as her husband plans to go to the Temple, Hannah opts not to.

 

She says to him “After I have finished breast feeding our son, I will bring him to the Temple so that he can be presented to the Lord, and he will stay there forever.”

 

Elkanah honors her wishes. 

 

3 years pass.  Hannah takes her son to the Temple, along with an offering.

 

She says to the priest “Remember that woman who you thought was drunk but was actually praying to the Lord? Here I am, standing right before you. 

 

Here is the child I prayed for; the miracle God has granted me.  Now I am fulfilling my promise, giving him to God.”

 

Then Hannah prays today’s prayer-

 

“My heart exults in the Lord; my strength is exalted in God.  There is no one like the Lord, my Rock.

 

The Lord is a God of knowledge.  The feeble find courage.  The hungry are fed.  The empty bring forth life.

 

God guides the feet of the faithful, and exalts the anointed.”

 

Hannah goes home.  She visits her son each year, bringing him a robe. 

 

God takes note of Hannah.  She who once cried out because she was empty is now filled with rich life.

 

A story of miracles.  But what is the miracle?  Is it that Hannah who once was barren has a baby?

 

Or is the miracle that she, a woman, was heard by God?

 

Perhaps the miracle is that she had a husband who actually listened to her at a time when wives were considered property and props.

 

Or is the miracle one that is based on action? 

 

Perhaps the miracle is that Hannah did not sit around waiting for something to happen and for God to act, but she made the decision to participate and co-create her own story.

 

Think about- Today’s story is one in which Hannah, on her own, with no promise, no assurance, no angelic visits or late-night visions, decides to rally up God and get the Lord to steppin’.

 

In doing so, a miracle takes place.

 

Miracles happen every day, little miracles, big miracles.  But miracles do not mean we are puppets.  Nor do miracles mean that we are passive. 

 

Or that we are completely helpless bystanders, non-actors in our narratives.

 

Most miracles, especially those we experience in the Bible, involve both God and the people of God to make them happen.

 

Last week’s story of the manna from heaven.  God could have sent the people as much bread as Panera could possibly bake, but it would not make a whit of difference if the people did not go out each day to gather it.

 

The Red Sea.  Didn’t matter if God parted the waters and had them stand skyscraper tall if no one was willing to take that first step across the dry land.

 

Hagar had to look around to see what God had placed before her.  Sarai and Abram had to get up and go to receive their blessings.

 

Judith and her maid could have prayed all they wanted but eventually it came down to what they were willing to do.

 

Jesus Christ- The Man on Miracles: water into wine, feeding the 5,000.

 

Oh, we love to tell and hear those stories.  But have you ever wondered what the true miracle is?

 

Jesus is at a wedding when the Winking Owl runs out, so he replenishes it with a better vintage.

 

That sounds like a miracle, but none of it would have happened if the servants were not willing to follow his instructions, gather the necessary elements, take a sip, and pass out what had been created.

 

What’s the bigger miracle?  For Jesus to say it shall be done, or for everyday humans to make it so?

 

The feeding of the 5,000.

 

Can you imagine being on that mountaintop with Jesus and a multitude of people with you and nothing but a few fish and a bits of bread, and being told to pass it out to everyone present?

 

Is the miracle that God prepared a picnic before the people, or is it that the people were willing to be served, and the disciples were willing to do the serving knowing that logic said there wouldn’t be enough?

 

What’s the biggest miracle?

 

That God did what God did, or that the people were willing to believe, act and behave as if it was true?

 

Miracles happen every day, big miracles, small miracles, creation, resurrection, abundance, assurance.

 

But it does not mean we are inactive.  It does not mean we are to be passive. 

 

It means we get to play a part.  We get to do our thang, regardless if we cry or we pray, we sit or we hand out.

 

Miracles happen every day, but it takes more than Jesus to feed the masses or God to part the sea, it requires us to step up, to step out, to extend a hand, to stick out a foot.

 

Miracles happen every day, like Judith and her maid it may require severe action.

 

Like Hagar and the Israelites, it may take us crying out.

 

Like Hannah it make take us not caring what others think, and saying to the Lord “Remember me?”

 

Miracles happen.  Lord knows they do.  What role are we willing to play; what are the things we can do?

 

As Citizens of Heaven, how do we continue to co-create with our Lord, our Rock?

 

Amen and amen.