Seriously, though, what is “fair” if not a relative concept? It’s nothing. Without a relative norm there’s no baseline for judgement. Therein lies the answer to the question. The issue isn’t whether something is relatively fair; rather, the issue is one level deeper than that. A person makes a judgement call regarding fairness based on their own scale of values.
The reason people’s sense of fairness varies so widely is that their scale of values also varies widely.
So, if we’re going to answer the question, “What’s fair?” then we need to start with our scale of values. We Christians have a common set of values provided to us through Holy Scripture. For example:
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
- Philippians 4:8
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
- Romans 12:2
But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
- 1 Timothy 6:6-10
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
- Colossians 3:1-2
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
- Matthew 6:19-21
We are supremely fortunate that God has given us His Word to answer tough questions like, “What’s fair?” Think back to when you were less well-versed in Holy Scripture and consider how you used to complain about life not being fair, that you were sick and tired of seeing other people get ahead, and so on. Think about when you used to privately stew, jealously, over what others had that you didn’t (ref: Jealousy Is a Waste of Time). What was the fundamental issue back then? Was it not that your scale of values wasn’t yet aligned with Christ’s? Indeed.
One of the greatest blessings we’re given as children of God is a change in our scale of values. As that happens through God’s sanctifying Word (ala John 17:17) our sense of fairness changes, freeing us from the bondage of the question that plagues the rest of humanity.
If people stopped perseverating on what was fair (aka stop dwelling on how they compare to others) there’d be a lot more peace in this world. Gee, I wonder if that’s why one of the Ten Commandments is:
“You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's.”
- Exodus 20:17
Why in the world would you ever covet “anything that is your neighbor’s” if your scale of values were aligned with Christ’s? You wouldn’t. Through that lens, it seems ridiculous (hint: it is). Don’t you want to be free from all that awfulness? I do. And you know what? Christ wants you to be free from it, also!
So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
- John 8:31-32
I’ll leave you with one radical, but very true and freeing, thought…
The great advantage you have as a believer is the ability to give with Christ’s heart. Grace is the baseline for God’s scale of values. It’s not what others have that you don’t, it’s what you can give that others can’t (Acts 20:35). If anyone has cause to be jealous in this world it ought to be those who have no idea about what I just wrote.
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
- Galatians 5:13
Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.
For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.
For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.
- 1 Peter 2:16-21
Love in Christ,
Ed Collins
