reposted by request

I have spent some time observing people and am convinced most people do not know the difference between the definitions of fair and equal.  In case you did not know, they do not mean the same thing.  Yet as I watch all that goes on around me, it becomes apparent  that many are quite ignorant of this fact.

fair ¹ |fer|

adjective

1 in accordance with the rules or standards; legitimate

• just or appropriate in the circumstances

equal |ˈēkwəl|

adjective

1 being the same in quantity, size, degree, or value

• uniform in application or effect; without discrimination on any grounds

Look into the political arena and see masses of people who will decide to vote for a particular candidate, just because he or she tells them that it is not fair that their income level is not equal to that of the “rich”.  Forget that fact that the “rich” have probably worked harder, spent more wisely, actually saved some of their money, educated themselves, risked something, tried something, dared to fail and, at last, succeeded in making themselves wealthy.  Forget the fact that for the most part, the ones without are probably the same ones buying twenty dollars worth of lottery tickets while I have to wait behind them in line to pay for the gas I’m putting in the car that takes me to my job.  Forget the fact that for the most part, those without are not ambitious, they are lazy, and they expect the government to take money out of my pocket and put it in theirs.  Forget the fact that these “poor” people probably have cell phones, satellite TV, thousands of dollars in credit card debt, and multiple televisions sets they watch for hours and days at a time.  Forget the fact that most of these “poor” people probably spend a huge percentage of their income on cigarettes and alcohol and “other” substances.  Forget the fact that most of these have not educated themselves, don’t like to work, don’t save any money, never take any risks, never get off their butts and do anything but yet they are convinced that the only way life can be fair is if all things are equal…….. This crowd does not get it.  And, by the way, these “poor” people have no idea how wealthy they are compared to those in real poverty.

I look into the business world and see the same thing.  There is a reason why the guy who has talent, who comes to work earlier, stays later, who is more productive, more efficient, respects authority, takes his job seriously, and cares about his company probably makes more money than the guy who is incompetent, comes in late, dresses like a slob, hates his boss, hates his job, goofs off at work, disrespects authority, and spends most of his time standing around the office complaining about how unfair it is that his pay is not equal to the others……. This guy is an idiot.

I see it in the way many children are raised.  Heaven help us if someone gets to “win” a t-ball game.  We can’t have anyone feeling like a loser now, can we?  So, you’re telling me the kid that practices his skills can never be allowed to be rewarded at a greater level than the kid who sits in the outfield and eats bugs?  That may be equal but it is certainly not fair.  Teachers dumb down tests so that the grades are more “equal”.  What about the kid that really studies and knows his stuff?  In the name of equality, he is punished so the under-disciplined, over-medicated brats can feel like they are equal.    Then we are shocked when children turn into some of the losers described in the above paragraphs…..These people have no idea how they are abusing their children.

Here is the hard one.  I see it in the church, too. I have seen pastors exhibit jealousy, and even hatred, toward my pastor just because he is “more successful.”  They write letters to the editor that criticize his methods and/or theology.   They complain about irrelevant issues.  Of course, they forget to mention that while my pastor is spending every waking minute taking care of the ministry God gave him, they are not.  These guys don’t bother to acknowledge that just maybe they have not really paid the price required for greatness.  I know a pastor of a very small church that is exactly where God wants him to be. And guess what?  He is a great pastor!  His reward will be great because he has been a good steward.  Hey, jealous pastor!  Read the parable of the talents.  There is nothing equal in that story except for the fact that we are all equally responsible to be a good steward of what God has given us, which by the way, is different for EVERYBODY.  And guess what?  It’s fair, but it’s not equal. If that happened today, the man who buried his talent in the ground and disappointed his boss would have sued the boss on the basis his reward was not equal to the others and with the whack job judges we have on our courts today, he would have won!  There are people in the clergy today who might as well be wearing diapers and sucking on a pacifier.

In other areas of the church, I see those who want all the privileges that come with ministry, but don’t want to pay the price physically or spiritually to earn those privileges.  I almost see it more often in the church, because unlike politics, business, or education, it seems to be taboo to point out the fact that one person might be more qualified or prepared for certain tasks than another person.  We don’t want to make anyone feel bad, or we don’t want things to appear “unequal.”  Often times we hesitate to admit that some have worked harder than others, or God forbid, might even be more qualified than another.  All under the right motive of not wanting to offend.   Well, the fact of the matter is you can always be fair, you can almost never be equal.  I love to sing.  In fact, while I am writing this, I am listening to a guy sing who is exponentially better than I am.  Is that equal?  No.  Is it fair? Yes.   And guess what?  If I listen long enough, someone will come along who is better than that guy, too.  So, should I demand to be treated as if I’m as qualified as one who is better, or should I decide to be a good steward of the gifts I have?

Paul wrote that even though we are one body, we all function as different parts.  If you take a look at your body, I am sure there are some parts that take priority over others at any given time.  Is every part of my body important to me?  You bet!  But what if my feet got mad every time I used my hands to play the piano?  I guess many people today would say, “go ahead feet, you play the piano this time, after all, we have to keep things equal.”  Ridiculous, isn’t it?  But I see it every day in every facet of life.

So what has all this “equality” gotten us?  We get government officials with no backbone, no integrity, and no core values.   We get a general public that expects more and more handouts and less and less responsibility.  We get a workforce that is lazy, unambitious, and shocked that they don’t get paid six-figure incomes for doing nothing.  We get high school graduates who can’t read, or solve a mathematical problem, can’t use proper grammar, and won’t respect authority.  But, at least they have had “positive affirmation” from their teachers.  At least they have never lost a  t-ball game, and they know the proper dosages of Ritalin and their favorite anti-depressants.  At least they can feel good about themselves because they were treated “equally.”  We get ministers and laypeople who spend more time spreading jealous discord than they do spreading the Gospel of Christ.

So, what am I trying to say?  Don’t fall into Satan’s lie that all things have to be equal.    Don’t let a political candidate convince you that you are a victim of inequality.  Don’t rob yourself of the benefits of working hard.  Don’t raise your kids to be wimps.  Don’t suck the joy out of your ministry by living in envy.

Thank God we are not all exactly the same.  It would be so boring.  I hope I always strive to be fair.  But as for equal?  I hope I can do better than that.