Nothing lends to a dysfunctional and lopsided society more than a caste system mentality – the idea that one group is more privileged than another for whatever reason, and the idea that some must labor so that others can enjoy a life of luxury. Nothing causes more mayhem, moral decline, and societal inequalities than the refusal to reward positive effort with just reward.
A few years ago, I posted a quote on my Facebook Page:
If someone works for you, pay them and pay them well. Do not seek free labor. Free labor comes with a curse.
At that time, I was reflecting on many stories of past slavery and personal observations of the world around me. Slavery is a reflection of a cruel and selfish human mind. It is evil in its fullest form. But there are many forms of slavery existing in our world today, and there are cases where even paid labor is a cleverly masked form of slavery.
And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.
Malachi 3:5
Although there were cases in the Torah where God approved slavery, the verses above make it clear that even underpaying workers is displeasing in God’s eyes, and evokes the wrath of God.
The story of Pharaoh enslaving God’s people is another good example of how free labor brings a curse. Pharaoh hardened his heart and refused to let God’s people go from bondage, bringing about the ten plagues, the death of his firstborn, and the destruction of Egypt and the Egyptian people.
In the United States, Africans were enslaved by Caucasians for hundreds of years, and while initially there was some benefit from it, the losses by far outweighed whatever benefit was reaped by enslaving Africans in the United States. Europeans carried out a similar practice for centuries before slavery ended, but there is little evidence that wealth accumulated through these despicable practices amounts to anything. And even if it did, the drawbacks and “curses” that come with it would outweigh whatever gain there might have been from it.
Money gained in the wrong way disappears.
proverbs 13;11
But money gathered little by little grows.
Nowadays, as has been the case since the beginning of human evolution, people are seeking free labor more and more. Business owners are looking for ways to maximize profits while minimizing costs. This often leads to human rights abuses and the exploitation of workers. But people who put profits above humanity are nearsighted: they cannot see farther than their noses. They lack a spiritual eye.
In his book, “The Science of Getting Rich,” Wallace D Wattles writes, “what I want for myself, I want for everyone.” In his book, the legendary American pioneer and author teaches us the importance of retaining our humanity and abiding by Godly principles when setting up to improve our lives through financial riches. Jesus also teaches us the same thing, “do unto others as you wish to be done unto you.”
Imagine how rich all humans would be if the whole world understood and operated by these morals and principles!
