Ethics, social

The benefits of social ethics

Proverbs 14:34 NKJV

Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people.

See also 2 Sa 23:3–4; Ps 2:10–12; Pr 11:11; Pr 16:12; Pr 25:5; Pr 28:2; Pr 29:4; Is 54:14

Believers are to behave ethically in society

Praying for rulers

1 Timothy 2:1–2 NKJV

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.

See also Ezr 6:10; Ps 20:9; Ps 72:1

Submitting to the authorities

Ro 13:1; Tt 3:1; 1 Pe 2:13–14

See also Ex 22:28; Dt 17:12; 1 Sa 24:6; 1 Ki 21:10; Pr 24:21; Ec 8:2; Ac 23:5; Ro 13:5; 1 Pe 2:17

Paying taxes

Matthew 22:21 NKJV

They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

See also Le 27:30; Dt 14:28; Ne 10:32; Mt 17:27; Ro 13:6–7

Specific areas of social concern

Promoting justice

Dt 16:19–20; Mic 6:8

See also Ex 23:8; Le 19:15; Dt 27:19; Pr 21:3; Is 1:17; Is 10:1; Is 56:1; 1 Ti 5:21

Helping the poor

Deuteronomy 15:7–9 NKJV

“If there is among you a poor man of your brethren, within any of the gates in your land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother, but you shall open your hand wide to him and willingly lend him sufficient for his need, whatever he needs. Beware lest there be a wicked thought in your heart, saying, ‘The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand,’ and your eye be evil against your poor brother and you give him nothing, and he cry out to the Lord against you, and it become sin among you.

See also Le 25:35; Le 25:39; Dt 24:12; Pr 19:17; Mt 19:21; Lk 11:41; Lk 12:33; Ro 12:13; Ga 2:10; Jas 2:3–4

Feeding the hungry

Deuteronomy 26:12 NKJV

“When you have finished laying aside all the tithe of your increase in the third year—the year of tithing—and have given it to the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, so that they may eat within your gates and be filled,

See also Ex 23:11; Le 19:9–10; Le 23:22; Is 58:10; Mt 15:32; Lk 3:11; Ro 12:20; Pr 25:21

Protecting the vulnerable

Ps 82:3–4; Jas 1:27

See also Ex 22:22; Ex 23:9; Le 25:25; Dt 24:17; Ps 41:1; Pr 23:10; Is 58:7; Je 22:3; Je 22:16; Ac 20:35

Peacemaking

Matthew 5:9 NKJV

Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.

See also Pr 12:20; Ro 12:18; Ro 14:19; Heb 12:14; Jas 3:17

Showing concern for the environment

Genesis 2:15 NKJV

Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it.

See also Ge 1:26–28; Le 25:2–5; Ne 10:31; Ps 115:16