BOOK SUMMARY: BUSINESS FOR THE GLORY OF GOD - CHAPTER 7 - INEQUALITY OF POSSESSIONS

Some inequality of possessions is fundamentally good and provides many opportunities to glorify God.  But it comes with temptations as well.  Some extreme inequalities are wrong in themselves.  

There are various kinds of stewardship that God entrusts to people.  The parable of the talents and minas shows this.  Luke 19:17-19 also shows us this when we stand before God and are rewarded in the age to come.  This must then be good.  

In the year of jubilee (Leviticus 25), land returned to its previous owner and debts were canceled.  But there was not equalizing of cattle, jewels or other personal possessions. Houses inside walled cities did not go back to the original owner.

The Bible does not teach communism just because believers had all things in common (Acts 2:44-46, Acts 4:32-25).  The giving was voluntary and not compelled by the government. It was their worshipful response to God's graciousness in saving them.  In the account of Ananias and Saphira, Peter told them that the sale of the property they lied about was their own property. Peter affirmed the notion of possession of private property, not communism.  

Not all inequalities of possessions is wrong. We can use this inequality to glorify God.  Why else would God call us to help the poor?  We can be generous (1 Timothy 6:17-19).   Sometimes God uses inequality to help us be content in Him (James 2:5).  

Temptations that come with inequality of possessions include being greedy, thinking too highly of oneself and not trusting in God.  Inequality of possessions also tempts others to be jealous and covetous.

Poverty is an effect of the fall.  We will always have the poor in this age. Thus inequality is a part of this present age. We thus have opportunity to show the heart of God by caring for the needy as God entrusts more to us. If we are poor then we have the opportunity to receive blessing from others and thus thank the Lord.  See 1 John 3:17, Galatians 2:10, Matthew 25:39-40, Romans 12:13, Ephesians 4:28)

We are to help poor Christians (2 Corinthians 8-9). We are also to help unbelievers (see the parable of the good Samaritan).  

Poverty will vary from society to society.  There is not "Robin Hood" principle in Scripture were we can rob the rich to give to the poor.  James 5:1-5 remind us of the judgment that befalls those who are rich and sinful and self-indulgent.  They aren't required to give everything away, but they are to use it for good.  Neglect of others is the problem.