Sitting at the Table of Equality

It can be said that at the heart of any type of reconciliation is justice, and at the heart of poverty is injustice. When we talk of justice, we talk about the rightness of a thing. Is a certain thing ethical? Is it fair? Is it equitable?

Many times it is a person's preconceived notions that shapes their sense of rightness or justice. Our personal notions or prejudices about the poor and poverty in America have been shaped by what we have experienced or not experienced. So it is our family, friends, education (or lack thereof), vocation, and everything in between that has formed our eye or lens for poverty and the poor.

A wider range of experiences with poverty equals a wider lens. Coupled with experiences of wealth, and the justice lens is wider still.

One way to broaden and balance our corporate rich:poor lens is to expose people of both groups to one another. Many Americans see programs like this one on ABC's 20/20 and feel compassion and deep sadness.

There is a desire to act, to end the situation. What should we do? What can we do? The non-poor are left feeling helpless. The poor are left feeling hopeless. But what would the just response be? What is fair? What is ethical?

My mind goes to the scripture in 2 Corinthians (v 8:13). “Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality.” (NIV)

Where is the place of equality in the struggle to end poverty? As indicated in the scripture there must first be a desire for others on the part of 'the-haves' toward the 'have-nots'. Unfortunately, the desire is not there for many Christians in America. Could it be that their lens is skewed or not wide enough?

I've found myself gathered around the dinner table with some very wealthy people. The experience, though, was made much more powerful when there were also people there who lives paycheck to paycheck. Given the chance to share their story, their struggles and triumphs, every single one of them became real and influential. Each bringing their problems and their solutions.

That is the strength of biblical racial reconciliation. It's not just talk. It's intentional. It goes for the real issues, not just the platitudes around the edges. It's action. It's love the way Christ intended.

In the 2 Corinthians passage, verse 14 goes on to say 'your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality.' This kind of equality is a two way street. Just like the lens of a telescope.