When New York City faced a mass exodus of businesses in the 1970s, religious leaders struggled to balance social justice with economic stability. Drawing from a 1976 symposium on moral issues facing New York's business community, this analysis applies biblical principles and prophetic tradition to examine how religious institutions navigate between advocating for disadvantaged populations and sustaining the economic foundation of urban communities. Through scriptural exegesis and analysis of religious mandates regarding justice and righteousness, the research reveals that well-intentioned municipal policies and social activism often undermined city stability through excessive regulation, weak property rights protection, and tolerance of lawlessness. Religious engagement, to be authentic and effective, must promote balanced justice that serves both vulnerable populations and the business community essential for urban vitality. Rather than enabling destructive behavior through misguided compassion, religious institutions should advocate for consistent moral principles across all social strata. These findings demonstrate that sustainable urban prosperity emerges from the integration of biblical justice concepts with practical governance supporting both social equity and economic health.