Today I will talk about God’s fairness. I can interpret the fairness of God as equality and equity in English. Equality has been known as one of the top political and social issues for centuries. Nowadays, people talk about equitable treatment more than equal treatment when discussing justice in society.

I will share the definitions of these two words with you. The first word is equality. Equality means providing the same level of support and opportunity equally for everyone. Equity means providing various levels of support and treatment depending on specific needs. Please don’t get me wrong; I will not talk about politics, but I want you to know the biblical concepts of the fairness of God in these words.

The Concept of Fairness in Numbers

In Numbers 7:10-17, God spoke to Moses about offering regulations when Moses finished setting up the tabernacle. There were three offerings that tribal leaders brought to the Lord. The offering included one silver plate that weighed 3.26 pounds, one silver bowl weighing 1.75 pounds, one golden dish that was 4 ounces. These were required for every tribe. It didn’t matter how large or small the number of members they had and was regardless of their economic status.

Also, there were three sacrificial offerings.

The purpose of the burnt offering was for the expression of devotion to God. The sin offering was for unintentional sin. For example, carelessly swearing to someone or God. People made a sin offering to remove their mistake and to purify their hearts and minds. The fellowship offering was a free-will offering to praise God for God’s greatness and to express thanksgiving. Every group of people was equally responsible for serving God. In these passages, equality meant equal responsibility.

The Concept of Fairness in Leviticus

However, in Leviticus 5:6-7, Moses provides people unequal responsibility with resources that fit one’s own circumstances. In verses 6-7, “As a penalty for the sin they have committed, they must bring to the Lord a female lamb or goat from the flock as a sin offering; Anyone who cannot afford a lamb is to bring two doves or two young pigeons to the Lord as a penalty for their sin.”

Equitable treatment is not only political and socio-economic language but also biblical. It was mentioned several times in the Old Testament. For example, in Psalm 9:8, “He rules the world in righteousness and judges the peoples with equity.” Thus, the Bible addresses both equal and equitable treatment as aspects of the true justice of God.

Biblical viewpoints

However, I want to share the differences between political and biblical points of view. Even though the modern definitions of equity and equality are similar in the biblical sense, the biblical perspective is totally different than political views.

The first difference is interpretation. People always believe that equality is receiving opportunity for all resources and support from others. Yet, the Bible talks about equality as not only receiving opportunities but also giving opportunities and responsibilities. Number 7:10-17 explained that Christian equality means equal contribution and taking an equal commitment to serve God and people.

If you always focus on receiving, it sounds like consumer Christianity. A consumer Christian continually focuses on his or her preferences when receiving resources, guidance, and encouragement from God. If they aren’t satisfied with what they get, they easily say, “I will not trust God.” The typical question that consumer Christians have is “What can I get from God today?” instead of “How can I serve God?”

It is time to think that every Christian is called to be the servant of God—not a consumer Christian.

The second point

God’s fairness is not presented at the beginning of our Christian journey but at the end. The principle of God’s justice and fairness will be completed at the finish line. Everyone believes that Jesus Christ will come again with his all glory to judge the living and the dead. God’s absolute fairness will be presented to all of us when Jesus Christ comes again as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

I will explain the details of biblical fairness, which is translated as equality and equity in English. Equality is applied to all people when they begin their spiritual journey in Christ. In Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Everyone is treated equally as children of God in Christ.

However, God’s complete fairness, which is translated as equity in English, will be presented and applied on earth when Jesus comes again. The apostle Paul used a metaphor to describe the life of Christian as a race. Paul said in 2 Timothy 4:7-8, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day-and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”  If you believe Jesus Christ as your savior, you are experiencing God’s fairness.

I have an example to share with you. When you run the Boston marathon, everyone must stay behind the starting line. Everyone is equally treated when they start the race. It is fair for everyone. But what about the finish line? Everyone can’t cross the finish line at the same time together. They will come to the finish line according to how they run. Whoever comes in first is given first prize. Everyone receives their own marathon ranking. It is a fair deal for everyone who is participating in the marathon.

The biblical meaning of fairness is the same. God’s fairness is not shown at the beginning but at the end. God’s justice is fulfilled at the finish line. This is the reason why Christian justice is different than society believes.

I will use a parable to explain how Jesus explained fairness in the Christian life. It is the story of talents told in Matthew 25:14-30. In the story, a master of a household went on a journey, entrusting his servants with his possessions in his absence. The master entrusted “his servants with a measure of his wealth, proportionate to each of their abilities” (christianity.com). The master gave every one of his servants the same opportunity to have talents according to their abilities, and when he returned, he asked to settle accounts with them. This parable tells us two things. The first one is: God’s fairness involves receiving and giving opportunities. The other is: There was equal opportunity at the beginning and time for settling accounts at the end. In the same way, Jesus Christ will ask us this question: “I gave my life for you, so what did you do for me in the end?” This is biblical equality and equity.

People believe that equity and equality are for receiving, but the Bible says it is also for giving or your amount of contribution in God’s sight. And it is also the final value. We all know that God is fair, but God’s fairness is not present at the beginning but at the end. The principle of God’s justice and fairness is complete at the finish line.

The church is the place to learn the kingdom’s values and its justice and to share it with all of you.

2021.08.22. Pastor Cloud Poy

@ Photo on Flickr