Jesus & Economic Life (18) Equality

God’s goal is equality. Joshua divided the land equally between families.

Joshua cast lots for them in Shiloh in the presence of the LORD, and he distributed the land to the Israelites according to their tribal divisions (Joshua 18:10).

Leviticus provided a method for ensuring that it remained equally distributed. When the Israelites gathered manna, some gathered more than others, but each one got what they needed.

The Israelites did as they were told; some gathered much, some little. And when they measured it by the omer, the one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little. Everyone had gathered just as much as they needed (Ex 16:17-18).

Everyone one got what they needed. Paul continued this pattern of equality continues into his New Testament letters.

Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality (2 Cor 8:13).

This is a radical vision. Paul encouraged serious giving and sharing according to the instructions for economic life would produce equality. We are a long way from Paul’s vision, because we have not understood that sharing wealth is a normal response to Jesus death on the cross.

Jesus confirmed the importance of equality in his parable of the workers in the vineyard.

The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon each received a denarius. So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. These who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day’ (Matt 20:1-16).

This employer had promised to pay “whatever is right”. The parable actions to increase equality are right/just (dikaios).

Jesus gave a solution to the problems caused by inequality of capital.

Sell your possessions and give to the poor (Luke 12;33).

Generous giving and sharing should be normal for Christians, particularly sharing of capital. Those who have plenty of capital should give to those who don’t have much. The outcome will be greater 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 (2 Cor 8:14).

When helping people give away unrighteous wealth, deacons should channel capital to poor people who have the capability to use it responsibly to be more productive. They will need training in conserving capital and using it wisely. Transferring capital to the poor by giving and sharing will move the world closer to equality.

People like equality, but few know how it can be achieved. Robin Hood tried to achieve it, by robbing the rich and giving to the poor. Modern governments use compulsory taxation to transfer income and wealth from the rich to the poor. This makes the rich angry and leaves the poor still poor. God also wants equality, but his way is by giving, sharing and giving away of unrighteous wealth.

God’s objective is equality, but his solution is unique as it does not require force or coercion. His solution to inequality is love, compassion and repentance that puts things right. God’s requires people with plenty to give generously to those who are hard pressed. He expects people who have prospered to demonstrate compassion for those who have not done so well. Compassion and sharing can create equality.

This full series of posts can be found at Jesus and Economic Life.