From Greed to Grace: Making Responsible Choices

Author

 Elder Jim Fairchild

God grants humans the autonomy to make their own choices, including those regarding whom or what they will serve or devote their lives to. This ability to choose is often seen as a gift that comes with great responsibility.
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Our world is often shaped by the shadows of human choice. When we look at the systemic issues of inequality, poverty, and discrimination, we aren't just looking at "unfortunate circumstances", we are looking at the tangible results of greed, prejudice, and indifference.

“These are portentous times. The lives of many are being sacrificed unnecessarily to the gods of war, greed, and avarice. The land is being desecrated by the thoughtless waste of vital resources. You must obey my commandments and be in the forefront of those who would mediate this needless destruction while there is yet day.”  D&C 150:7

However, the story doesn't have to end there. By shifting our focus toward equality, fairness, and compassion, we can participate in a collective redemption of our social fabric, by making and promoting “Responsible Choices”.

The Root of the Problem: Greed and Indifference

Social injustice often begins in the heart. When we prioritize personal gain over the well-being of our neighbors, we create a world of "haves" and "have-nots." The Bible offers a stern warning to those who build wealth at the expense of fairness:

"Listen! The wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts." James 5:4 NRSV

​Furthermore, when we turn a blind eye to the suffering of others, our indifference becomes a form of injustice itself. We are reminded that we cannot claim to love God while ignoring the physical needs of our community:

"How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help?" 1 John 3:17 NRSV

​We are free to choose responsibly or not. We have liberty, yet God holds us accountable for how we use it in all aspects of life.

The Path to Fairness: Seeking Equality

Redemption requires a conscious choice to dismantle prejudice. Discrimination fails to recognize that every human being is created with equal dignity. To foster a just society, we must embrace the biblical truth that social and ethnic divisions have no place in a compassionate world.
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When advocating for justice and peace, it's important to recognize that systemic issues often underlie individual instances of injustice. This means that we need to work to address root causes of problems like poverty, racism, and oppression, rather than simply treating the symptoms.

The Call to Action: Practicing Compassion

Compassionate ministries are not just about converting others to our faith or providing temporary relief to those in need. Rather, they are opportunities to build relationships with people and demonstrate the love and compassion that Christ modeled for us.
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A society that values fairness doesn't just happen by accident; it is built through intentional, compassionate action. We are called to be advocates for those whom society has marginalized or forgotten.
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"Speak out for those who cannot speak, for the rights of all the destitute. Speak out, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy."  Proverbs 31:8–9 NRSV

The path for a redeemed society, Christ’s Peaceable Kingdom, is simple yet profound. It requires us to move beyond our own interests and act with a heart of justice:

"He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"  Micah 6:8 NRSV

Some people experience conditions that diminish their ability to make choices.  By recognizing how our choices contribute to the world's pain, we gain the power to choose a different path, one paved with mercy, equity, Justice and love.
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Community of Christ’s Enduring Principle, Responsible Choices, reminds us of the importance of making ethical and thoughtful decisions.
Are you making Responsible Choices?