Generosity And Equality

The “Prosperity Gospel” is no gospel at all. It’s an American aberration. Does God want to prosper his people? Yes. Does prosperity mean everyone’s a millionaire? No. Prosperity simply means having more than you need. But, not so you can horde it or invest it; it’s so that you can give it away.  The goal of God’s blessing is not prosperity; it’s equality.

“Our desire is not that other 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’” (2 Cor. 8:13-15).

Basil the Great said, “The bread you store up belongs to the hungry; the cloak that lies in your chest belongs to the naked; the gold you have hidden in the ground belongs to the poor.”

“All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need” (Acts 2:45).

The Gospels reveal that righteousness and justice go hand-in-hand. The same Greek word is used for both. The New Testament church clearly demonstrated that righteousness should produce justice. But the justice shown in the scriptures looks more like generosity and equality more than some judicial act or decree.

John the Baptist said, “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” Those who came to him asked, “What should we do then?” His responses were things like, “Share your extras with those who have none”; “Don’t extort and be content with your pay” (Luke 3:7-14) – all of his answers involved actions toward those disadvantaged and less fortunate. According to John the Baptist, the fruit of repentance/righteousness would be generosity and equality, caring for those in need.

Does the gospel we proclaim produce generosity, equality, care for each other and for the poor? Does the righteousness that we claim bring about justice? Or does the gospel we possess and its “righteousness” only produce self-centeredness and self-seeking  desire for personal wealth and asset accumulation?  Is the gospel we share the same gospel that Jesus shared? If not, it’s not good news and it will only further injustice.