What is Greater Than Fairness?

Our pastor has encouraged us to read the gospels these last two months. It's been good to reflect on Jesus' words. Just when I think I have a passage figured out, along comes another thought that expands the text or gives a new perspective to another one. Here's an example that I'm currently working on.

This Isn't Fair!

I know a friend who is very frustrated with his work place. The complaint hasn't changed over the long years he's worked there. The boss hates confrontation, so the bad workers get away with their poor habits and the good workers are rarely praised. It doesn't feel good or fair to see so many who are slackers, liars, and take advantage of the company, treated without discipline and given what they don't deserve. The boss will sooner overlook poor performance than confront the worker.

My friend has put in long hours, worked hard and loyally at his job, but feels overlooked when it comes to appreciation from the boss, bonuses and better benefits. He can appreciate that the owner wants to be kind and show mercy, but if the workers who can be counted on are never acknowledged, it becomes hard to keep a good attitude. The disparity not only creates differences in treatment, but the slackers take advantage of the fact that they will never be held accountable for their actions, while the good guys have to work harder to cover for their mistakes.

The Prodigal Brother

Like the irritation of someone arguing against your feelings of injustice and offering no sympathy for your situation, Jesus' parable of the prodigal son brings an unwanted opportunity for self examination. We often focus on the Father's generous forgiveness for the younger son, which is amazing! But the scene with the Father begging the older son to join in the celebration was my rather-not-go-there realization. 

Older brother had watched his sibling dis his father (in that day and culture asking for your inheritance early was like wishing your father was dead), squander his inheritance on wanton living and dare to come crawling back for mercy. The Father responds to the older son's anger, not with sympathy, but acknowledges his constant relationship with the son who has never left him and that all the Father has belongs to this son. It wasn't enough for the older son. His self-righteousness and following all the rules had been more important than the relationship he could have had with his generous father. He had worked hard to do the right thing, and now his low-life brother was getting the attention and fanfare. For what?  The runaway deserved punishment, not a party! 

Modern day version- Faithful works overtime diligently for the boss and company while watching foolish co-workers disregard company policies and make poor excuses to the boss for missed days of work. The boss forgives their mistakes and shiftlessness, again and again and again. When raises gets passed out to all, regardless of performance, Faithful feels slighted. 

What Would You Do?

There are more questions than answers as I try to understand this. Discipline and order are necessary for a good working environment. Any boss who doesn't play fair will never have a company culture of peace and good will. The modern day version analogy with Jesus' story breaks down because the boss isn't Faithful's father and there is no repentance happening with his co-workers and their behaviors. How should Faithful deal with this? 

Does He Alone Satisfy Me?

As Christians, our heavenly father is generous and loves sinners. He doesn't deal everyone the same hand of circumstances or talents. Yet he loves us equally and what he desires more than anything is for his kids to be in love with him and to be with him. His resources available to  them are limitless. ("My son," the father said, "you are always with me, and everything I have is yours." Luke 15:31.) Is this enough for me, even when it feels like others are being favored?

John Piper said, "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him." Is this true of me?

I want to explore this theme more in some future post. I keep seeing other things Jesus said that are challenging my idea of fairness and where my focus should be.