7.4 Conflict between Capitol and Labor                                              

 

1. What is a reason why the last days would be perilous?
2 Timothy 3:1-4
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

 

2. When would people, according to prophecy, hoard great wealth?
James 5:1-3
1 Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.
2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.
3 Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.

 

3. Why did Christ rebuke the man in the parable who had buried his talent?
Matthew 25:26-27
26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.

 

4. What did Christ say to the rich young man that he should do?
Matthew 19:21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow Me.

 

5. What did God say in the parable to the rich man, who was thinking of building larger barns to store his goods?
Lukas 12:20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

 

6. How does James say the rich have lived?
James 5:5 Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.

 

7. Who gives men the power to acquire wealth?
Deuteronomy 8:18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is He that giveth thee power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.

 

8. How does James say the rich have treated the righteous?
James 5:6 Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you.

 

9. How have the rich defrauded the laborers?
James 5:4 Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.

 

10. What do many laborers do, seeking to obtain a reasonable wage?
They form labor unions, hold strikes, boycotts, etc.

 

11. Does Scripture indicate that violence will be shown in this conflict?
Habakkuk 2:6-7
6 Shall not all these take up a parable against him, and a taunting proverb against him, and say, Woe to him that increaseth that which is not his! how long? and to him that ladeth himself with thick clay!
7 Shall they not rise up suddenly that shall bite thee, and awake that shall vex thee, and thou shalt be for booties unto them?

 

12. Does God want His people to unite in these combinations?
Isaiah 8:12 Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.

 

13. Whom shall we fear, and of whom be dreaded?
Isaiah 8:13 Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread.

 

14. What is God's people told to do in that time?
James 5:7-8
7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

 

15. What commands obeyed would bring about a peaceful solution to this wide-spread and growing conflict?
Matthew 22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Philippians 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Matthew 7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.