Equal and/or Equitable

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April 27, 2016

Scripture Reading: Psalm 67

Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you judge the peoples with equity
   and guide the nations upon earth.
Let the peoples praise you, O God;
   let all the peoples praise you. –Psalm 67:4-5

The United States was founded on a principle of equality for all and I support that and think it is a good thing. God seems to take it a step further. The Psalmist, quoted above, talks about our being judged with equity. Equity is defined as:

a free and reasonable conformity to accepted standards of natural right, law, and justice without prejudice, favoritism, or fraud and without rigor entailing undue hardship; justice according to natural law or right; a free and reasonable conformity to accepted standards of natural right, law, and justice without prejudice, favoritism, or fraud and without rigor entailing undue hardship : justice according to natural law or right*

Jesus addresses this in Luke 12:48b when he says, From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded.

Our tax system is based on both of these principles. Sells taxes are charged equally to all who purchase. Our income tax system is based on equity. The challenge for our leaders now is discern the fairest way to raise enough revenue to prudently meet the common good. It is a very complex and difficult task. I invite all of us to spend time in prayer for our leaders who must make the final decisions of what needs to be equal and what needs to be equitable.

Prayer: Lord, be with each of our elected representatives. Write on their hearts the best ways not only to identify what is necessary for the common good but also to raise the revenue necessary to provide for the common good in equal and/or equitable ways that also reflect the common good. Amen.

*http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/unabridged/Equity

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized 
Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council 
of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights 
reserved.