In this study Mr. Smith completes his study of the book of Amos. Instead of trying to cover the book in detail, he shows us God's main complaint against the leaders of the nation. Instead of showing love to their fellow Israelites, their focus was on increasing there wealth at the expense of the poor of the land. Verses in chapter 8 clearly show this. Verse 4 says "O you that swallow up the needy, even to make the poor of the land to fail." Verse 5 shows they wished the Sabbath did not exist so that they could pursue gaining wealth every day of the week. God said he would punish but not destroy the nation for their ways. This is important today because we see these same attitudes increasing among those that rule our country and therefore know that God will also bring our nation into judgment.

Gary Smith

United Church of God Pastor

Gary Smith was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, but spent most of his youth in the Pasadena, California area. He graduated from Ambassador College in 1976 and he and his wife, Liz, moved to Peoria, Illinois. For the next six years he worked as a nursing home administrator in Illinois, Ohio, and Texas.
In 1982, he and Liz began to serve in the full-time ministry. Since that time, they have served in a number of congregations in the Midwest.
Gary and Liz now pastor in Houston, Texas near their two children and grandson.