Equality Revisited; 2 Corinthians 8-10

May the mumbling commence!

We are to be reconcilers.  What is a key ingredient to reconciliation?  Today we look at equality.  Read from Second Corinthians chapter eight:

I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others.  For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. 

And here is my advice about what is best for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so.  Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means.  For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have. 

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." (Verses 8-15)

Many people in the United States think about equality and think that we must surrender to mediocrity.  These people believe in the healthiness of the American dream.  Why should someone who has worked hard to get ahead need to share with those who have refused to work hard?

Here is a news flash from Jesus:  We are not in a competition.  We are supposed to build relationships.  How are we to build relationships if we thrive at the expense of others?

We have bought into the deception of limited resources.  We have begun to rely too much on our ability to compete and survive.  We need to daily relearn the principle that God sought to teach the Israelites in the desert.  Gather only enough for what your family needs that day.  Depend on God as the Great Provider.

What did hoarding lead to in the desert?  It led to spoiled manna.  Nothing like maggots in the morning!  It is the road to death.

Will our quality of life drop?  Yes – but not as much as one might think.  Remember:  we cannot out give God.

Do you and I have more than we need?  Within the context of the world, most of us can answer that question, “YES!”  If we share our bounty, it will be a step in the right direction.  The way to reconciliation will be opened – both between us and creation and between us and God.

Then we can begin the long road to living in peace.  And living in peace is so much more than the absence of war.  Living in the peace of Christ means caring for and serving the needs of everyone.  That is the kind of equality that will exponentially boost our quality of eternal living.  And remember: eternity is both about quality and duration.  There is no better place to be.

Let us begin that journey today.  It will only happen if we join together with the Holy Spirit of God.

Enough mumbling for now…

Peace Out