Distribution of Wealth

No doubt about it, these are difficult times. Record unemployment. Bonuses for executives in bailed out companies. Lay offs. And a taxing burden on unemployment funds. Underlying much of the reporting is the undertone that rich people should provide for the poor.

We're confusing two separate issues: inequality and injustice.

You and me, we're all the same

The Bible assumes an unequal distribution of wealth. It's not a bad thing. Put down those pitch forks. Hear me out for a minute.

Genesis 47 tells about a famine in Egypt. The Egyptians sold their land and animals to Pharaoh for food. The Israelites, on the other hand, acquired property and prospered. Sounds a bit unequal.

In the book of Joshua (around chapter 13), God divides the land among the twelve tribes - in different amounts. Deuteronomy 21:15-17 recognizes the practice of the firstborn inheriting a double portion after the father's death. Is this equality?

God blessed Abraham with wealth. God blessed Israel in Egypt with wealth. God blessed Solomon with wealth. God distributes wealth.

Thieves, embezzlers, and villains

Injustice also occurs. People lie, steal, and cheat. They defraud investors. Embezzle from pension funds. Loan money with outrageous interest to people they know cannot pay. Yes, there are businesses that oppress the poor.

Likewise, there are businesses who provide a safe, clean working environment. They pay fair wages for a day's work. And they offer opportunities for bettering yourself.

Walk through your neighborhood. Guess what, some of your neighbors steal. So do you hate all of your neighbors? Crooks exist. Some crooks are rich. Some are poor. Money does not determine injustice. Injustice reflects who these people are - not what they have.

The Bible clearly speaks out against injustice. Proverbs 14:31 says the oppressor shows contempt for God. Proverbs 22:16 reveals the end of the oppressor - he comes to poverty. God decries injustice.

Redistributing wealth

Redistributing wealth fixes inequality, not injustice. Inequality isn't a problem. Injustice is the problem. So why do we rush to redistribute wealth?

We're selfish. That's our sin nature. Why should that guy have plenty of money when I'm struggling to make ends meet? I'm afraid. And in that fear, I take something that does not belong to me. I created even more injustice. I made the problem worse.

The Year of Jubilee

In the Year of Jubliee, land in Israel reverted back to its original owner. All debts were forgiven. Sounds great, right? Run up as much debt as you want and poof - it goes away. I hate to say it, Jubilee helps the creditor more than the borrower.

Proverbs 22:7 says the borrower is servant to the lender. Imagine eating lunch with a friend. Can they pay you back later for the meal? This was a nice lunch, so it ran about $20. You agree. Three weeks later and no money. You ask once. They say sure, just a few more days. They start avoiding you. Depending on how much you need the $20, you start avoiding them. The relationship changed.

Now imagine loaning $50,000 to a neighbor. This is exactly what your bank does with a mortgage. When the borrower pays, everything works well. When payment is late, the relationship goes south. Enough bad relationships, and you get a bad reputation. Can you afford to lose $50,000?

Step back to your lunch again. Instead of just agreeing to pay later, you tell your friend yes. And if you don't get the money in 30 days then it's a gift. How does that affect you? You already let go of the $20. That money is as good as gone. You don't need to ask about it. There is no sense of dread when looking at that person. You gave them the money, and that is that.

Jubilee created that mind set on a large scale. The creditor was smart. He stood to lose all of his money. And he entered the contract knowing that would happen. You could help a neighbor financially without the risk of life long alienation. Jubilee did not re-distribute wealth. It changed the creditor's behavior.

Do as I do

And there lies the key. Finances is not about money. It's about behavior. Because what we do reflects who we are.

Taking money from one person and throwing it at another does nothing for their behavior - giver or receiver. And so it solves nothing. This is why charitable giving always does more good than government. Because the giver changed their behavior. It can also inspire the receiver to change theirs.

Yes, God calls us to give. Yes, we should reach out with monetary gifts to those in need. And we do that because we love them. Change your behavior, not your tax structure.