Justice (20) - Equality and Mercy

The only place where equality of income is explicitly mentioned in New Testament is in 2 Corinthians 8:13-15:

Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, as it is written: "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little.

The context is not justice, but giving. God does care about inequality of incomes. He hates seeing some people living in plenty and others starving. However, the cause is often not his solution is not government backed redistribution programmes, but generous giving.

Inequality has a variety of causes. Injustice can cause of inequality of incomes. Where injustice is the problem, Christians should be passionate about restoring justice. However, perfect justice will not produce equality of income. Most inequality has other causes. It is not the result on injustice.

The normal workings of life result in equality. Some people choose to work harder than others. They gather far more than they need. Others are more talented. Some people have extremely innovative ideas that earn them large incomes. Other people prosper because they inherited wealth from thrifty parents. Sometimes good people make bad economic decisions that lead to poverty. Some do not gather enough. This is life. No injustice is involved.

Life produces inequality, but it does not have to stay that way. As the kingdom of God advances, poverty should disappear. God expects those who have plenty to be generous towards those who have less. While life pushes in the direction inequality, love and generosity should be pushing society back towards equality.

Christians can also increase equality by helping all people to become productive to their full potential. A key responsibility of deacons is to teach people how to manage their income and how to use their time more productively.

The full series is here.