Usually when we hear about Sodom we think and hear about sexual sin.

Genesis 13:13 says, “Now the men of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the LORD.” (ESV)

Most American Christians today have a “I’m not like the people of Sodom” attitude. We are secure in our “good” lives.

Ezekiel 16:49 broadens our understanding of  Sodom’s women, “Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy.” A commentator interpreted these words as “arrogant, overfed, and unconcerned.”

Those words hit home. I want for nothing in life, not food, clothing, or warmth. Many people in this world, in this nation, even in my own county, cannot say that.

What am I doing about it?  Not enough.

Have we become complacent? We have let our elected officials convince us that taking care of the poor and needy is government work: welfare, housing, food stamps, and medical insurance. We just don’t need to be worried about the poor folks without these things. “Uncle Sam” has it covered.

What does God say? He called Sodom wicked – partly because they failed to help the poor and needy.  Genesis 19:24, “Then the LORD rained on Sodom and Gomorrah sulfur and fire from the LORD out of heaven (ESV).” God apparently takes helping the poor and needy pretty seriously (not that they didn’t have many other sins, too).

In Paul’s letters he talked about giving to the poor, and his joy over the giving.  He said the giving would overflow in Thanksgiving (2 Corinthians 9:11-12 (ESV)), an acknowledgment of God’s hand behind the ability to give.

There is no overflow of thanksgiving at God’s provision when taxpayers foot the bill. There is no joy in the “offering” when it is a form of forced taxation. We certainly have no opportunity to point to the Source of the giving, the Lord himself (Acts 17:25).

Unless we go looking for it from our suburban bliss, we rarely encounter real poverty. We know it exists, but have little opportunity to share the “plenty” God has given us in our lives with someone we can see and speak to.

Just to be clear.  We’re expected to provide first for our families, then for the family of God, and then to those in true need. These provisions all call for wisdom and discretion – but those are not excuses for indifference.

Even in the church, we can be complacent about our own people in need, “Go to the government,” we say.  That is a true lack of concern for our neighbors’ material needs, but it shows a bigger lack of concern for their spiritual needs.

If “Uncle Sam” pays their bills, it is harder to explain that the Lord will provide for them. And, it’s easier for them to take short-cuts to saving – like murdering a preborn child with no one to advise against it.

Arrogant. Overfed. Unconcerned. Do these words describe today’s American Christian? Me? You? Have we become complacent with the plenty the Lord has given to us?

Rise up, you women who are at ease, hear my voice; you complacent daughters, give ear to my speech. Isaiah 32:9 (ESV)