Peasant Mentality

(Pro 29:19 KJV) A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer.

One of the observations of the Founding Fathers was along the line that a country cannot thrive economically based on slavery.  The areas that had slavery in our country were very class oriented and stratified.  It was not just a division between slave and free.  It was a division between the very wealthy plantation owners, the very poor free population and the slaves.  Because of slavery the South never developed a thriving middle class or a significant level of tradesmen such as black smiths and carpenters. 

People who live in bondage, whether it is official slavery or just a class system, have no reason to work any harder than is necessary to avoid the lash.  They develop ways of looking busy when they are not.  They have a radar that tells when the boss is coming.  There is no reason to do more than avoid punishment.

The same is true in the church.  If you look at it as a game of legalistic requirements it is a natural tendency to try to gimmick the system to get the most for the least.  The reality that never seems to sink into those with the minds of spiritual peasants is that God knows not only their production and its quality but the desire of their hearts.

So?  This can be a heart breaker or an encouragement.  It depends on you and your attitude.  I find it encouraging that God can know my heart.