I am delighted to serve as a clergy spokesperson for the Wake Up Wal-Mart Christmas media campaign, and honored to be invited. I have long felt that ministers had a moral obligation before God to speak out for issues of justice and fairness for all people. The Wake Up Wal-Mart initiative gives us a good opportunity to hold this corporate monolith accountable to more progressive and equitable policies for its thousands of employees.

Wal-Mart has become an integral part of the American cultural landscape. They have amassed untold wealth in this great nation of ours, and they should do much better in providing not only decent hourly wages, but also affordable health care coverage for their workers. As the Bible says, "To those whom much is given, much is required."

Furthermore, Wal-Mart overwhelmingly utilizes foreign manufacturers, principly in China, who routinely violate principles of basic human rights for its laborers.

It is very much in Wal-Mart's long-term interest to improve the compensation and benefits of its employees. Fairer policies would boost loyalty and morale, and cultivate a workplace environment marked by positive values of commitment and dedication. This would in turn be translated into productivity and profits for the corporation, a win-win solution for everyone.

The Scriptures are clear about God's intention that provision be extended to all of God's children. The very word "economy" comes from a Greek concept meaning "household," the idea that everyone in the household of God be cared for adequately and fairly. God is displeased when wealth and abundance, which always comes from God, is not widely and fairly distributed.

Opportunity for personal advancement and initiative is a basic American principle, and a living wage is essential for this self-determination. Wal-Mart, of all American companies, knows this. Let them act on it.