Markets and Wages (5) Righteous Wage

Allowing the free market to determine wage rates works for many people. However, when employing people at the bottom of the heap, employers are required to pay a righteous wage. This will be sufficient for them to live on. Employers cannot hide behind the market if they have chosen to live righteous lives. God warns that those who ignore the requirement to pay a righteous wage will lose his blessing.

Otherwise they may cry to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty of sin (Deut 24:15).

The righteous rate is not a particular dollar amount. It will vary depending on the circumstances of the person being paid. The righteous rate will be less for a single person with no dependents and a higher for a person who provides for a family. Deciding the righteous rate is an issue between the employer and God. No one else can tell the employer what the righteous rate will be in a particular situation. God knows the employer’s heart and he also knows what is right.