Even a child feels the need to be fair. They say things like:
“Tell him to share the toys with me.”
“You had your turn. Now, it’s my turn to play.”
That does not change when we grow up to be adults. We say:
“All the work is dumped on me. No one else seems to be working. It’s not fair!”
“For all the hard work I did, I deserve better than that.”
“I want an equal share of it.”
He felt that need. Just like you and me. He wanted to be treated fairly. He did what we would think is the best. He took his problem to Jesus. He asked Jesus to tell his brother to divide the inheritance with him (Luke 12:13). Now, that request sounds quite reasonable. And what was Jesus’ reply to this man? He replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” This is no time to be fair. Only when we get to heaven, everything is going to be fair!
We are never promised that life would be fair. On the contrary! Jesus taught, “If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.” (Luke 6:29,30) But, that’s not fair! And it wasn’t fair when Jesus was cruelly put to death on a cross.
So what do we do? Do good anyway! It’s easier said than done. But that’s what Jesus did, when He accepted death on the cross. That’s what He teaches us to do. “But I tell you, do not resist an evil person.” (Matthew 5:39) Humanly, that’s impossible to do. But, with God, all things are possible. May He help us to do good even when we are treated unfairly.
“Tell him to share the toys with me.”
“You had your turn. Now, it’s my turn to play.”
That does not change when we grow up to be adults. We say:
“All the work is dumped on me. No one else seems to be working. It’s not fair!”
“For all the hard work I did, I deserve better than that.”
“I want an equal share of it.”
He felt that need. Just like you and me. He wanted to be treated fairly. He did what we would think is the best. He took his problem to Jesus. He asked Jesus to tell his brother to divide the inheritance with him (Luke 12:13). Now, that request sounds quite reasonable. And what was Jesus’ reply to this man? He replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” This is no time to be fair. Only when we get to heaven, everything is going to be fair!
We are never promised that life would be fair. On the contrary! Jesus taught, “If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.” (Luke 6:29,30) But, that’s not fair! And it wasn’t fair when Jesus was cruelly put to death on a cross.
So what do we do? Do good anyway! It’s easier said than done. But that’s what Jesus did, when He accepted death on the cross. That’s what He teaches us to do. “But I tell you, do not resist an evil person.” (Matthew 5:39) Humanly, that’s impossible to do. But, with God, all things are possible. May He help us to do good even when we are treated unfairly.
