Fairness and justice (Hebrew - mishpat)
God has been teaching and convicting me over the last six months on this subject - my actions in sharing whatever I have with those in need. Tim Keller's book Generous Justice has been helpful particularly in defining God's emphasis on justice, in the Hebrew "mishpat". I'm no scholar but the Spirit has laid it on my heart as needing my attention.
In 2 Cor 8 Paul speaks to the example Jesus sets for us. He was infinitely rich yet for our sakes became poor, even infinitely poor. Our desires and actions should reflect the same - giving from what God has given me to those with need that they may have, that there would be fairness but even more compelling, justice. This is a foreign concept in America where what's mine is mine and charity is a personal decision. Charity is part of the fairness here but that makes it optional. Justice, that is being God's agent for administering justice, makes sharing what I have mandatory. It becomes a matter of obedience.
V15 has an interesting way of putting it. When I work are my wages mine? Or are they and my ability to earn them His provision and therefore His over which I am merely a steward. If the latter, then I am compelled to consider Jesus teaching in Matt 25:14-29. I want to be seen by my Master as a good and faithful servant using what he entrusts to me to accomplish His goals.
Created 12 months ago
