Proverbs 22:2 Rich and poor have this in common: The Lord is the Maker of them all.

There are differences between the Japanese and the English in the first half of this verse, but the second half is in complete agreement. The point is that there are many differences among people; no two are identical. However, the universal point of commonality is that we are all created beings, accountable to God. The wealthy are not exempted by their wealth, and the poor are not excused because of their poverty. After all, differences among people, when compared to the infinity of God, are the perfect example of an old Japanese expression: “acorns comparing height.” There are indeed differences from one acorn to another, but from the human perspective they are totally insignificant. None of us have anything to boast of before God, and it is only because of His loving grace that He cares about each of us so intensely. (John 3:16, Luke 12:7) We are surrounded with people who divide, who emphasize “equity” over equality, who feel they are superior and need to tell others what to do. They have forgotten that we are all equally created beings, and that our value depends on our Creator and nothing else. It is very telling that Karl Marx said that his goal was to “dethrone God.” By that we know who motivated him and, by extension, all who follow him today. I have recently been moved by two movies: Agenda and Agenda 2. They are currently available on YouTube, but I wonder when they will be taken off, because they expose so much of what is going on. Any time we forget we are accountable to God we lay ourselves open to the devil and his schemes.

As a photographer I delight in the created world, but I must never forget that I am a part of it. God does differentiate between humans and other things in terms of value. In the Luke passage referenced above, Jesus said that one human is worth more than many sparrows. Those who place animals on an equal level with people are also denying God. I am to look at everything in humility and gratitude, remembering that each other person is created by God in His image just as much as I am, however many differences might appear on the surface. I am never to think that my “riches” (material or otherwise) or my “poverty” make me any less accountable to my Creator. As a pastor, I have the considerable task of communicating that understanding to those in my care. I will never be successful in that unless I grasp and practice it myself.

Father, thank You for this Word. I certainly need Your wisdom and anointing, because “responsibility to report” is the closest I can come in Japanese to the word, “accountability.” I pray that I would fulfill my accountability to You and so lead others to do the same, for their blessing and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!