Chuck Bentley of Money Life and Crown Financial Ministries recently rendered an opinion on the Occupy Wall Street movement that sparked a few months ago in New York City.

He proposed that the demonstrators were misguided in their actions due to possible envy of corporate success and their desire for government to somehow rein in corporate excess. He stated that he arrived at his findings through the lens of Scripture. After listening carefully and after more than 60 years of observing human nature, I thought there had to be more to this story than a 3-minute sound bite.

In addition, since man is an imperfect creature, any action, thought or opinion he ventures is imperfect. Neither side has the complete truth because, as has been said, even a broken clock is right two times a day.

As stated below, if a man is capable of robbing God, where do you think his fellow man will stand? You need look no further than the debacle at Penn State to discover the depravity of an ungoverned man, left to his own devices.

The following is my response to Bentley.

I recently listened to your statements.

It is true that our primary responsibility is to minister to the hearts of men.

It is true that lasting, meaningful change can only occur when the hearts of men are transformed by God.

It is true that you cannot legislate morality.

Nevertheless, when you elect a government of the people, by the people and for the people, it is not unreasonable to expect said government to do something to address the inequities of society.

For example, exploitation of weaker members of society with unfair wages, pollution, sexual slavery, child labor, spousal abuse or discrimination by age, sex, race or ethnicity.

Corporations do not intentionally engage in unethical, unfair or dangerous practices to the detriment of the general public. They are looking out for themselves. That's the backbone of capitalism, anyway.

The government is here to ensure that all individuals and businesses are performing on a level playing field with each obtaining the maximum legal amount of profit to which he/she or it is entitled and capable of earning.

For a government to do nothing or less would render that government corrupt or irresponsible.

It is true that government can become and probably is cumbersome, bloated and an impediment to progress.

However, let me draw your attention to my point through the lens of Scripture. These were the reasons for government - civil or religious.

In those days, there was no king in Israel and every man did that which was right in his own eyes. -- Judges 21: 25

And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him. But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you and thou shalt love him as thyself for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. I am the Lord your God. Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgement, in meteyard, in weight or measure. Just balances, just weights, a just ephah and a just hin shall ye have, I am the Lord your God which brought you out of the land of Egypt. - Leviticus 19:33-37.

And judgement is turned away backward, justice standeth afar off, for truth is fallen in the streets and equity cannot enter. - Isaiah 59:14

Will a man rob God. Yet ye have robbed me - Malachi 3:8

Since man is a fallen creature with a natural tendency to selfish corrupt behavior.

Since he is not normally regarded as an altruistic individual full of generous impulses.

Since, in his fervor to get over and obtain worldly gain, he is inclined to lose sight of what is moral, ethical or just.

Since he cannot be trusted to do the right thing.

Therefore, for better or worse you need institutions, certain actions and counter measures to bring matters to his attention and remembrance.

I remind you that it's always those who are well off and comfortable who complain about the over reach of government.

The poor man who's uninsured, been jobless for two years with expired unemployment benefits, and disconnected utilities is presently bemoaning the woefully inadequate response and effect of government.

The truth is and always will be the simple but difficult to attain word called "balance."