Gentrification

Read Amos 5:18-25

Technology is not a bad thing. I love how things have been made easier due to advances in technology. But, do you ever really considered how much technology has changed in the past 50 years? 100 years? It is almost frightening. Truthfully, it is really amazing what we are able to do now due to technology. Folks, cars are driving themselves now and we will see more of it in the near future. They self-navigate when we request them to go certain places with a thing we still call a “phone”. What would Alexander Graham Bell think if he saw the iPhone? There are people born without legs that are walking as if they had legs, people born without the ability to hear or see that are gaining their senses, and cars that parallel park themselves. That's totally not fair. It took me a long time to learn how to parallel park. The day is coming when I say, “I remember back when we used to have to parallel park our own cars.” (Insert surly old man voice) 

Yes, if we think about it, it is a little frightening. But, it should be, especially when we don’t consider the potential result of it. Of course there is money to be made and saved with technology but there are also people to be detrimentally affected along with it. Technology has allowed us to shop, travel, import and export, communicate, and build unlike we ever have before. But what about the businesses that fail because of it? What about the people that lose their jobs because someone else wanted to save money? What about the people that have a gift, trade, or a talent that is no longer needed due to technology? What about the people that cannot afford to live in their homes because the price of living has increased? 

That is what Amos was so mad about. This narrative in Amos echoes through time and paints a stark reflection in our current situation. He was a concerned believer. He simply saw a problem and he had compassion for people. He was a hands-on servant of the Lord. Though, it is quite likely that he did not want to be. Amos was just a small town farmer. He was a shepherd and a fig farmer that lived about 6 miles outside of Jerusalem in the Judean wilderness. He never proclaimed himself as a prophet. As a matter of fact, he denied himself the title of professional prophet. He only did what he had to do because there were some extraordinary circumstances. He noticed some corruption and he stood up for what he knew was right by identifying the wrongs of the institutions. In his case, they were not just the political institutions but also the religious institutions. 

He was just a small town farm boy, living on the outskirts of the big city and he noticed an injustice that affected people. He showed compassion for these people even though he probably didn’t know them. Not only did he show compassion for the marginalized and poor people but he became angry enough to take action. 

So the question is, what mobilized him? What triggered him to become passionate enough to shout the echoing phrase, “But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream”? What injustice did he notice that triggered his voice into action? Amos lived during the reign of King Jeroboam, who was the King of Jerusalem and King Uzziah, who was the King of Judah. These two kings were political giants. Insome ways they were good for Israel. They defeated many of their enemies and they maintained peace and prosperity for their kingdoms. They were proclaimed believers in Yahweh. They were not priests or any such title but they were Israelites nonetheless. So what was the problem? These kings developed rapid social change in their kingdoms. Since they were strong rulers and political giants they brought in loads of money and trade in Israel. They controlled trade routes and created territorial expansion into Egypt and Samaria by means of force. Basically, they developed a lot of new technology. They developed new infrastructures and extravagant homes. But, what they did not do is tend to the people that were affected negatively. These politicians that developed peace and prosperity in Israel were great for the wealthy communities and even made the wealthy communities stronger but they were hurtful to the poor people in urban settings. They created a whole new community of disenfranchised people. The rich got richer and the poor got poorer. All the while, the rich and wealthy religious people of God celebrated their expansions and celebrated their city’s growth and their new large homes and urban centers. But, they ignored the people that were left homeless from it. They ignored the people that were left to die on the streets due to malnourishment. They didn’t care about the people that were forced out of their homes due to this urban expansion. 

Amos became aware of these problems. Sometimes I wonder how he became aware since he did not live in an urban setting. He could have gone into town to sell and trade and noticed it. But, logic tells me that he came to know a lot of these people. He was on a farm 6 miles south of Jerusalem in a small town called Tekoa. Many of the people that were being disenfranchised due to economic expansion were probably showing up on his farm. I like to think he became close to them. He discovered that they were God’s people like anyone else. So begins the prophecy of Amos. 

Amos publicly speaks out to the politicians and the wealthy communities of Israel that they will be punished and they are criminals because they crush the head of the poor and push the afflicted out of the way. Speaking of God, he proclaims that a Lion has roared. He calls them cows of Bashan that get drunk and ignore the weak and the needy. They turn justice into poison and throw righteousness on the ground. So yes, “Doom to those who desire the day of the Lord! Why do you want the day of the Lord? It is darkness, not light..” “Isn’t the day of the Lord darkness, not light; all dark with no brightness in it?” Amos proclaims that God has spoken these words to them, “21 I hate, I reject your festivals; I don’t enjoy your joyous assemblies. 22 If you bring me your entirely burned offerings and gifts of food—I won’t be pleased; I won’t even look at your offerings of well-fed animals. 23 Take away the noise of your songs; I won’t listen to the melody of your harps. 24 But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” Essentially, "Because, you have ignored my people, you have done everything good for yourselves and ignored the people in need." 

Does any of this sound familiar? There is a word that is often used in regard to urban and city development called “gentrification”. It is defined as redevelopment, urban renewal, or the renovation of aging neighborhoods. We see this in a lot of major cities. A gentrified neighborhood looks great. You might see some nice restaurants, houses, art centers, urban hubs, and parks. It’s basically technology making its way through hurting neighborhoods. In some cases it is a good thing. Sounds good anyway. Some examples offer better and safer environments for kids and businesses. But, on the other side of it, it creates high property value for renters and businesses forcing them to close and/or relocate. We see this example in Nashville right now. The property value is skyrocketing and people are being forced out of their homes. Many are being forced to relocate. Some families are being split up because parents cannot afford to provide for their kids. A lot of these people receive a couple of warm burritos every Monday night before they sleep on their concrete bed. (for an explanation see UBFM.org) 

Imagine that. Someone knocks on your door and says the only way you can stay in your home is if you can pay an additional 20, 30, or 40 percent property tax. Or, if you stay here your rent will increase that much. This is exactly what Amos was angry, passionate, and vocal about. 

There is a problem and a major injustice when people are more focused on what they can get out of something with no regard to how it might affect other people. I am reminded of a movie that came out in the 80’s and maybe you have heard of it but you probably haven't. It's called Breakin. It was movie based on some break dancers. The sequel of the movie was about this group that had converted an old dilapidated building into a urban community center called Miracles. They made it a place for kids to play sports, dance, create art, and so on. But, this corporation came along and purchased the land to develop a shopping mall. The only way that the community could keep the community center was to raise twenty thousand dollars. I won’t spoil it for you. My sister and I used to love that movie. 

The bottom line is this, always be aware of how something good impacts your neighbor. Loving your neighbor as you would love yourself does include looking out for them and their well being. I get so frustrated at the attitude that says, “If it doesn’t affect me; why should I care?” 1) It most likely does affect you indirectly. 2) That is a complete contrast to a Christ-centric approach. The sin of the world did not affect God. Why should God care? What if God just gave up and moved on? But, God so loved the world that God gave the only begotten son. God also expects us to love our neighbor in the same way--whether we want to or not. 

I think a good plan of action for looking out for our neighbors is to know who and what we are supporting when we cast our votes. Do these politicians have concern for our neighbors or do they want to help themselves and an elite few. If they are going to gentrify a neighborhood do they have a plan to support the people that it affects negatively? 

The second greatest commandment that God clearly gave humanity is to love each other. Sometimes that get difficult and sometimes it requires detailed effort. But that is part of serving God. That is part of blessing God as God has blessed us.