Where people are rewarded for hitting targets, they will try to ensure that the targets are met, sometimes to the detriment of the core values they are supposed to adhere to. I guess that this happens in many areas of life – a recent example being the damage done at Stafford Hospital where a few individuals decided to put statistics above patient care and frequently recommended doing the wrong things to make the results look good.
The unwillingness of banks to take risks with lending (shutting the door after the horse has bolted), coupled with the tightening of the family belt has fuelled the rise of "pay day loans". Such companies will lend at rates above 4000% APR (hard for many to understand), preying on those least able to calculate the maths and the consequences of being late or not paying back in full and on time.
All of the above are examples of unfair treatment of the poorest and weakest people in society. The bible makes it very clear that God hates to see the poor and the weak taken advantage of.
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. Proverbs 31:8-9 [NIV]
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed." Luke 4:18-19 [NIV] – (Jesus quoting from Isaiah 61)
Lord, help us to be guided by what is right in your eyes, and to discern the right path when the world tells us otherwise. Help us to look after the poor, the weak, the vulnerable and those without influence, as Jesus taught us. Amen
Dave MacLellan
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