40|50 Project: 40 Days To Heal A Nation’s Racial DivideSample

Week 5: One Family in God

Day 30: Pick One

“You cannot serve God and wealth.” Matthew 6:24

Why is wealth part of this Bible study on overcoming racism? Because the creation of wealth is the central, foundational reason chattel slavery existed in our country, and systemic racism in every sphere of culture in our country can be traced back to that chattel slavery. 

All of the inequalities in this country that still exist today in the church, family, education, healthcare, business, government, media, arts and entertainment, all of them can be traced back to chattel slavery and the need to make money. Thus, when our country bows the knee to the pursuit of wealth over the pursuit of God, racism is able to thrive.    

People of African descent were written into the U.S. Constitution as 3/5 human, as property. When every human life is not given the dignity of life, when some lives are valued more than others, inevitably life can be taken without remorse. This has happened repeatedly to men and women of color so that others could create, enjoy and pass down generational wealth without those who literally built the country being compensated for their labor.

ACTION: How can the family of God right these wrongs? Search your heart. Is there any way within you that bows the knee to the pursuit of wealth over God and over valuing the lives that God has made? Pick one today: God or wealth. Who will you serve? 

PRAYER

Father, please forgive us as a nation for bowing our knees in worship of Mammon (wealth) over You. We repent and turn back to You. Please lead and guide us in this touchy subject to discover Your heart. Please protect us and our families, in Jesus’s Name, Amen.