Meditation: On Preachers of the Social Gospel

By saving the chaff
And discarding the kernel,
You’ve thrown away
Those things that are eternal.

Your kingdom consists
Of bread and honey.
When you reach those pearly gates,
What will you do with all your money?

You would rob the rich
To enrich the poor;
Then you would knock
At the peasant’s door.

Now the music plays;
Later it will stop.
The rich and the poor,
Their seats will swap.

While you drive your Lincoln
With the push button doors,
You reflect on the wealthy
And their glittering stores.

The Gospel to you
Is only a book;
You talk of salvation
While you bait your hook.

You call yourself a sheep,
And you know the Shepherd’s name,
But you have overlooked
The sick and the lame.

You blame it all on money
(or the lack of it);
You refuse to acknowledge
That sin is from the pit.

You laugh at the devil,
Or calmly ignore him.
You imply that being wealthy
Is life’s greatest sin.

You spend your nights
With pen in hand,
Signing deeds and loans
For houses and land.

Your sermons are simple:
More food, more gold.
No mention of Christ;
You say He’s sick and old.

When you endorsed God’s mortgage note,
Did you see that bottom line?
Or did you close your eyes
And carelessly sign?

Allow me to read it to you:
“Sin’s great price
Was paid by the Lender’s Son;
Nothing else would suffice.”

Before you attempt to sell
Another costly house,
Remember to introduce
The bridegroom to His spouse.

Copyright ©1985 Joseph G. Merrell III