"I am irritated by paycheck lenders." 

They are symbolic of a society that worships greed and overlooks the oppression of the poor.

Does the Bible say anything about folks who charge excessively high interest or usury? Yes! Take a look at Ezekiel 18; Psalm 15; and Nehemiah 5. There are plenty of other references to God's anger at those who take 'usury' and excessive interest in Exodus, Leviticus and Deuteronomy. 

Ezekiel 22 even compares it to extortion. That is serious stuff! Having read and reread all the verses I could find in the Bible on this subject of excessive charges I wonder what God is going to do to exact justice from oil companies in light of their record-breaking 'windfall' profits - quarter after quarter, year after year? 

For some hard-working poor folks, the incredibly high cost of gasoline just to get them back and forth to work leaves tough choices between medicine and food, or basic clothing for the kids and utilities.

When someone profits from the suffering and oppression of others, God takes notice. The Bible says, "God is not mocked, whatsoever a man sows - that shall he also reap." If they sow to the suffering of others, they will reap that whirlwind.

Whether it is a little storefront lending shop taking advantage of impoverished folks - or an oil company (and its political protectors) taking the same advantage over poor working folks who have to have basic transportation, God is watching.

We, as His children, must cry out against such practices. We must not look the other way. We must not blame those who are victimized with our pious condemnation. It does NOT matter why someone is poor, we must stand against those who would take advantage.

I don't see politicians doing much to change these situations. We need to change politicians minds or change politicians!

If we want God's blessings, we better start blessing those whom God watches over...the poor, orphans, widows, aliens among us, those suffering (the Bible terms as 'the sick, the lame and the blind'), those oppressed and afflicted (mentally ill), and the 'downcast and downtrodden.'