Equality

I was reading a passage from Paul where he is encouraging the Christians in Corinth to 'step up to the plate' in their giving of an offering for the poor in Jerusalem. Paul spent a lot of his time traveling around collecting money for the church.

He says to the Corinthians: "not that others should have relief while you are burdened, but that as a matter of equality your surplus at the present time should supply their needs [the churches of Macedonia], so that their surplus may also supply your needs, that there may be equality. " (2 Cor. 8.13-14, NAB).

The NRSV uses different terminology: "I do not mean that there should be relief for others and pressure on you, but it is a question of a fair balance between your present abundance and their need, so that their abundance may be for your need, in order that there may be a fair balance."

The Greek word for 'equality' (isotes) is the one used in Philippians two where Paul says that Jesus gave up equality with God when he came to earth. It's also the word used in Acts 11.17 where Peter says that God has given the non-Jews the "same gift" [equal gift] that God gave to the Jewish Christians. So, soteriologically speaking, the races are equal. We could say the 'gift' is eternal life. Which is correct. But the next verse (Acts 11.18) designates the 'gift' as the gift of repentance. "God has granted repentance unto life" even to non-Jews. We in the Reformed theological tradition have always believed that 'repentance' -- the ability to turn to God and be saved -- is a 'gift,' not a human accomplishment. It is a 'grant.'

Back to where I began: this week is Pledge Sunday in our church. Paul advises "balance, fairness, equality" when it comes to giving to the church. (2 Corinthians, chapter 8). This equality has to do with one's ability to give -- with one's present circumstances. Some are more able to give than others -- or able to give more than others. Paul urges them to "give according to what you have" (2 Cor. 8.11). He goes on to say, "It doesn't mater how much you have. What matters is how much you are willing to give from what you have." (v. 12) We all have a 'will.' The questions is: Will we be willing to use our will for God's cause?

My salary is going up, and I'm planning to increase my pledge to our congregation.

Perhaps our prayer ought to be not so much, 'Lord, give me more'; but, 'Lord, give my more willingness to give.'


[photo taken by me: Xenia Courthouse]