In what ways can we avoid the sins mentioned in Joel 3:6 today? Seeing the Sin in Joel 3:6 “ ‘You sold the people of Judah and Jerusalem to the Greeks, so that you could send them far from their homeland.’ ” The specific offense is the heartless selling of God’s covenant people as merchandise—treating human beings as property for profit or advantage. Tracing the Root Issues • Greed that values gain above people (1 Timothy 6:10) • Disregard for the imago Dei in every person (Genesis 1:27) • Willful oppression of the vulnerable (Proverbs 22:22–23) • Complicity with unjust systems for personal benefit (Isaiah 10:1–2) Modern Expressions We Must Reject • Human trafficking, forced labor, sexual exploitation • Predatory business practices that trap workers in debt or unsafe conditions • Racism, tribalism, or nationalism that demeans whole groups (Acts 17:26) • Consumer habits that ignore the supply chain’s abuses • Using influence to silence or sideline the weak (James 5:4–5) Guarding Our Hearts and Habits • Remember redemption: “You were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God in your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:20) • Cultivate contentment to resist greed (Hebrews 13:5) • Pray for eyes to see people, not profit (Matthew 9:36) • Practice regular self-examination before God (Psalm 139:23–24) Practical Steps to Avoid These Sins Today 1. Stay informed – Research where products come from; favor fair labor certification. 2. Spend redemptively – Support businesses committed to ethical supply chains; avoid companies implicated in exploitation. 3. Advocate and intervene – Report suspected trafficking; volunteer with or donate to ministries rescuing victims (Proverbs 31:8). 4. Employ righteously – If you hire others, pay fair wages, provide safe conditions, and show genuine care (Colossians 4:1). 5. Build inclusive fellowship – Welcome believers of every ethnicity into full participation in church life (Ephesians 2:14–16). 6. Teach the next generation – Model respect for every person and train children to oppose dehumanization (Deuteronomy 6:6–7). 7. Give generously – Redirect resources from self-indulgence to relief and restoration efforts (2 Corinthians 9:8–9). Living the Contrast By honoring each person as God’s image-bearer, stewarding resources justly, and actively opposing exploitation, we walk the opposite path of those condemned in Joel 3:6—and bear witness to the Redeemer who liberates, not enslaves (Luke 4:18). |
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