economy

(The context is 1 Samuel 30 & connecting that with Matthew 20)

We are often concerned with what is fair. This is because, fairness makes sense to us. It seems reasonable, true—how things should be.

This becomes clear in culture, when a group of people experience the inverse of what they consider to be fair. Because, after all, fairness is subjective.

When a side perceives the actions of the other as being ‘wrong’, fairness is rashly thrown into the conversation.

For better or worse we humans tend to be very quick and outspoken about our perceptions on this matter.

But who is to say what is fair to me, is fair to you?

Can fairness be universally true?

What if my definition of the word is determined by my own desires of what I want that—that is the world—to look like?

Fairness to me is to face no toil…

to be seen by all…

to receive the benefit of that which I have not sown.

Could we ever agree on such a description?

Point being, we think we understand fairness, but might our gauge be encumbered by the messy filter of that which we call humanity?

If I toil, it is only fair that I receive compensation… indeed compensation can come in various forms;

applause

finances

time

pleasure

etc.

Compensation shall be my reward, and Lord knows that my reward must be fair to the proportion of output I excepted during my process of toiling.

but is this how we observe reward in nature?

what goes in my body comes out in proportion to what has been consumed?

that which gives, gives, gives and get’s nothing back?

For if this were hard-stop TRUTH, the rivers would not longer flow, the sun would cease to shine and the earth itself would no longer decompose that which is dead and produce new life from ashes.

As it is with God.

Grace flows like a river,

Mercies shine anew each morning,

New life is raised from what was once perishing.

Ceaselessly.

And yet we boldly lament to him about what we consider fair.

Appropriating our own experiences and understanding of life based on such experiences unto God.

whom we must be reminded is the maker of all things.

Because I have experienced—in this vapor of my life—a barrage of justice and its counterpart injustice, I believe myself to be wise enough to interpret what is fair—what is true.

All the while neglecting the injustices I have committed unto others, unto God, unto creation over the course of my short life without even being aware of them.

Yet, I have discerned what fairness is to look like. In my own image.

The great stoic wrote:

Existence flows past us like a river

Therefore, it is foolish to assume to know what is fair in light of the eternal existence of God, and what he is to say is fair.

He who has seen all, knows all and holds all in contrast with our feeble selves:

who see nothing….

know little….

and cannot even hold ourselves together.

An understanding of fairness or justice from the limited perspective of human economy is not something I wish to subscribe to.

Indeed, this has many implications, which will require further study, but surmise to say:

I will bear witness to what God has considered to be fair—even if I will never fully understand why.

In fact, I mean not to. (LOTR Reference for the wise)

That’s to say — I never will.

And I’m really okay with that.

At the end of the day I really do not have the capacity or time to judge what is fair or not fair. (By this I mean I lack the ability to be the judge of the living and the dead—this role is already claimed and I have no aim to attempt to make it my own).

It’s impossible for me to see the full picture. Or to know the deep motivations or best intentions of my brother or sister who may have caused what I perceive as injustice in my life.

Again the Philosopher king writes:

So other people hurt me? That’s their problem. Their character and actions are not mine.

I could spend the remainder of my short days here on earth, plotting and conceiving ways against them and their wrong doing. So that they might receive proper compensation for their actions…

Or I could turn from them, the other side of my face to slap…

and wether they do or do not strike again…. move on.

get back to living my life.

And in so doing, express the love of Christ toward them.

Which is easier to do?

Which is more beneficial to my soul? To the kingdom?

Building storehouses of anger, envy, resentment…. Or diving head first into the deep and eternal well of Grace that flows from the River of God’s heart?