Unions

U

nited Auto Workers want a 40% raise. Who doesn’t? The UAW strike now joins the “writers” strike (obviously this writer is not on strike).  These strikes are part of America’s never-ending Second Civil War: Capital vs. Labor. It began when Capital expected Labor to work Sixteen hours a day in the Pullman Palace Car Company (in 1894). The Government sent in troops to break that strike and break a few heads as well. George Pullman, born in 1831, skipped the first Civil War by paying a surrogate to fight in his place. Ah, the good old days. (Not!) Pullman Porters (former slaves) were happy to find work. Making up the berths in sleeping cars and shining shoes, with a smile was better than being a slave, but they worked 400 hours a month.  They unionized as the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters and increased their pay by a few cents and reduced their work to 240 hours, which made more sense.

The Lord Jesus spoke about Capital and Labor in the New Testament when He said it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man (CEO, Senator, and Rich Young Lawyers?) to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Some say it is “love” that makes the world go ‘round, others insist it’s ‘money.’ The Bible says, “The love of money is the root of all evil.” Some think Unions are the answer. Some want to break the Union.  No doubt about it, in this world money is power and so is union.

Unions, whether classical, or ecclesiastical, political, or societal, are tribal, limited and libel to end in war. Democracy is a godless tug-a-war that never ends. We hardly notice it until it’s 49 to 51 and then only do we see how ugly is the heart of man.  So I offer my two cents. Bring your needy, greedy, sinful and conflicted self to the cross of Christ. Forget about negotiating or collective bargaining. Forget about wheeling, dealing and dickering. Form an unbreakable union with God by confessing your sins and trusting in the Savior of Souls, and the Father of Lights. Let Christ be your advocate, your answer, and only hope.  By faith form a Union of two, follow Jesus, and watch what God can do. -id