But let Justice roll on like a river,
Righteousness like a never-failing stream!

Social Justice is vital if a country claims to be morally as well as economically developed.  The measure of a country is how the government and the people of that country treat the disadvantaged members of society. The Bible criticises those who exploit their workers, ignore the poor or do not look after the immigrant or the homeless. Sharing our resources is fundamental to the ideal of social justice.

In this article I am writing from a United Kingdom perspective, but the principles are true for all countries whether developed or developing. People are materially poor because of one or more of the following factors:

• Physical or mental disability which effects the possibility of employment
• Marriage breakdown causing a split into two households.
• Single parents struggling to balance a job and child care.
• Insufficient jobs with a meaningful salary.
• A major employer or industry closing down causing a disruption in the local economy.
• Choosing not to work and deliberately living off benefits. (I am NOT suggesting that more than a tiny minority could be classified as “scroungers” or “benefit cheats”  but obviously there are a few who fit into this category.)
• Addiction to alcohol, drugs, gambling etc,
• Debt.
• Crime.
• Prejudice based on racism or class.
• Inadequate education, or failing educational achievement. [Read more...]