Income inequality – wwjd?

Most of you reading this on your computers probably don’t consider yourself rich like “the 1%.” Yet the reality is, we are all likely richer than most living on this planet with us. Some may say, “Well I work for it and so I have a right to my riches.” I don’t disagree. But consider the testimony of the first century church; one of immense generosity out of poverty, living and giving to benefit others in Jesus’ name. Today, most of us live in relative abundance, not lacking for any real needs. I wonder if we are even able to hear Christ asking us to love and serve him by feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and visiting those in prison…

Jay Parini, author of “Jesus: The Human Face of God,” has some provoking thoughts for us:

“Ridding the world of poverty is, of course, a fantasy. Jesus knew this: “You will always have the poor among you,” he said (Matthew 26:11). He also said, “God blesses you who are poor, for the kingdom of God is yours.” (Luke 6:20). He cries (echoing the Old Testament): “The spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring the good news to the poor.” (Luke 4:18). Jesus also noted that it is easier “for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 19:23-24).

“Jesus discouraged the accumulation of wealth , worried about its effects on those who had it, and took special pleasure in helping the poor, dedicating his efforts to them.

“Everyone knows that the wealth gap in the U.S. has increased dramatically. Even those formerly known as the middle class struggle to make ends meet. Do people on the other end of this inequality equation really fare better? Does wealth make you happy? Jesus certainly didn’t think so.

“Neuroscientists have suggested that being rich actually makes you less happy and, even worse, unable to sympathize with the poor. They find that the rich and powerful among us show less brain activity in that region of the brain where human sympathy is excited. Conversely, those who feel poor and marginalized in society show a great deal of sympathetic activity. The ability to sympathize with those around us seems crucial to our survival, and it’s connected to the mirroring functions of the brain.

Is it any wonder that when a rich young man came to Jesus asking for spiritual guidance, Jesus said: “If you wish to feel complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.” (Matthew 19:21). The young man “went away grieving,” as he had so much property and didn’t want to let go of anything. But letting go is essential to our own happiness as well as the world’s economic equilibrium. It’s a hard teaching, but it’s important.”

BT: You nor I have all the answers to this issue. But I believe God would love for us to talk with Him about it and then let Him speak to us individually about what Jesus-in-us would do.

Don't be shellfish...