When Life Isn’t Fair

This children’s sermon was written to accompany a sermon September 1, 2019, based on Amos 8:4-7. The whole children’s sermon idea (and art choice) comes from Carolyn Brown’s post on her wonderful site, Worshiping with Children. Thank you, Carolyn!

Good morning, girls and boys. I brought something to show you today. It’s a painting by a Flemish painter a long long time ago. I wonder what you see when you look at it.

What differences do you see between the two men?

Look at their faces. I wonder what they’re thinking.

I wonder if you’ve ever felt anger over things not being fair.

I wonder if it’s okay to be angry. Yes, I think so. Anger when things are unfair makes us want to do something about it.

You’re not the only person that feels angry when things aren’t fair. Listen again to today’s scripture.

The Lord said:

4 You people crush those in need

    and wipe out the poor.

5 You say to yourselves,

“How much longer before the end

    of the New Moon Festival?

When will the Sabbath[b] be over?

Our wheat is ready,

    and we want to sell it now.

We can’t wait to cheat

and charge high prices

    for the grain we sell.

We will use dishonest scales

6     and mix dust in the grain.

Those who are needy and poor

    don’t have any money.

We will make them our slaves

for the price

    of a pair of sandals.”

7 I, the Lord, won’t forget

    any of this,

though you take great pride

    in your ancestor Jacob.[c]

It sounds like God is angry too. It sounds to me like God is asking us to do something about it.

Let’s pray.

Dear God, when people are not treated fairly by others, help us remember that we are the people you call to work to make things right. Help us figure out ways, little ways and big ways to bring justice to your world. We love you, God. Amen.