The Early Worm

"I think we consider too much to good luck of the early bird and not enough the bad luck of the early worm."



Franklin D. Roosevelt


It is sad that in this world in order for someone to be successful there is a high chance that it is necessary for someone else to fail.  In a capitalist economy it is all about competition and who is able to rise to the top.  When someone makes it to the top we rejoice with them and hold them up as heroes of the capitalist system.  We seldom think of those who lost because they were not able to keep up with the competition.  The language of win-win is seldom heard in this context.  Yet win-win is what is required if we are to speak of justice.  We need to discover ways that make it possible for all to benefit from the rich resources that God has placed on the earth.  Yet we know that since the beginning of time there have been have and have not groups of people.  In your drive to the top how often have you stepped on someone else?

Hear the words of the prophets: "This is what the Lord Almighty says: 'Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.  Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor.  In your hearts do not think evil of each other.'" (Zechariah 7:9-10)

I am not advocating the demise of the capitalist system as I know of no other that accomplishes what it does.  I am saying: "If you have been blessed - pay it forward.  You will never regret it."