In a world filled with apparent inequalities and injustices, it’s easy to feel that life is unfair. People are born into different circumstances, with varying physical attributes, mental capacities, and opportunities. Some are born into wealth and privilege, while others struggle in poverty and hardship.
It’s natural to question why these disparities exist and to wonder how a loving and just God can allow such unfairness to persist. However, as Christians, we are called to view fairness from God’s perspective rather than our own limited human understanding.
God’s Fairness in the Parable of the Workers
The parable of the workers in the vineyard, found in Matthew 20:1-16, provides a powerful illustration of God’s fairness. In this story, a landowner hires workers at different times throughout the day, yet pays them all the same wage at the end of the day. Those who labored from early morning received the same pay as those who started working in the late afternoon.
From our human viewpoint, this may seem unjust. We often equate fairness with equal treatment based on merit or effort. However, the parable demonstrates God’s grace and generosity, which transcend our human notions of fairness.
God’s fairness is rooted in His sovereign will and His abundant love for all people. He extends His grace and mercy to everyone, regardless of their background, abilities, or past mistakes.
As the landowner in the parable states, “I am allowed to do what I want with my own money. Are you jealous because I am kind to others?” (Matthew 20:15). God’s grace is a gift freely given, not something we can earn or deserve.
Rising Above Unfairness: Personal Responsibility
In our fallen world, we often use unfairness as an excuse for our own shortcomings, laziness, or difficult circumstances. We may blame our upbringing, lack of opportunities, or the actions of others for our failures or unhappiness.
However, God calls us to take responsibility for our lives and to trust in His plan and provision. He will judge us based on how we handle the situations we face, not on whether we perceive them as fair or unfair.
The story of Joseph in the Old Testament (Genesis 37-50) provides a powerful example of facing adversity with faith and integrity. Despite being sold into slavery by his own brothers and later wrongfully imprisoned, Joseph consistently did what was right and honored God in his actions.
He refused to give in to bitterness, self-pity, or the temptation to sin. Instead, he trusted in God’s sovereignty and goodness, even in the midst of great hardship and injustice. As a result, God rewarded Joseph abundantly, elevating him to a position of great authority and using him to save many lives.
On the other hand, the parable of the three servants (Matthew 25:14-30) warns against the dangers of blaming others or making excuses for our own inaction. In this story, a master entrusts his servants with different amounts of money before going on a journey.
Two of the servants invest their master’s money wisely and double their value, but the third servant buries the money in the ground out of fear and laziness. When the master returns, he praises the first two servants for their faithfulness but condemns the third servant for his wickedness and sloth.
The third servant tries to justify himself by accusing the master of being a hard man, but his excuses only expose his own poor attitude and lack of effort.
Moreover, as children of God, we have direct access to the Holy Spirit, who dwells within us and empowers us to live righteously. The bible declares:
“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children.
Now we call him, ‘Abba, Father.’ For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.” Romans 8:14-17
Our identity in Christ gives us the courage and resilience to face any challenge, knowing that our ultimate hope lies in our eternal inheritance.
The Power of Attitude: Adopting Christ’s Mindset
Our attitude plays a crucial role in determining whether we will be remembered as overcomers or as those who succumbed to bitterness and despair.
When we choose to trust in God’s goodness and sovereignty, even in the face of apparent unfairness, we open ourselves to His transformative power. We can find joy, peace, and purpose in the midst of trials, knowing that God is using them to shape us into the image of His Son.
Jesus Christ, our ultimate example, faced the most unfair treatment imaginable. Despite being perfectly sinless and blameless, He was falsely accused, mocked, beaten, and crucified for our sake.
2 Corinthians 5:21 states, “For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” Jesus willingly endured the cross and shame, because He trusted in His Father’s plan and love. His obedience and sacrifice saved humanity from eternal damnation and secured our reconciliation with God.
In Philippians 2:5-11, Paul urges us to adopt the same mindset as Christ, who humbly submitted to the Father’s will and was exalted as a result:
“You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.“
When we face unfairness, injustice, or hardship in our own lives, let us remember the Lord’s example and depend on God’s strength to overcome. Our challenges and sufferings pale in comparison to what Christ endured on our behalf. By fixing our eyes on Him and trusting in His love and wisdom, we can find the courage to persevere and the grace to forgive those who wrong us.
Unfairness Fades in Light of Eternity
Ultimately, the question of fairness in this life must be viewed in light of eternity. Our present sufferings and inequalities are temporary, but our hope in Christ is eternal. Romans 8:18 reminds us, “Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.“
When we put our faith in the Lord Jesus and follow Him, we are assured of a future where every wrong will be made right, every tear will be wiped away, and we will dwell in the presence of our loving God forever.
In conclusion, while the world may often seem unfair and unjust, we are called as Christians to view fairness through the lens of God’s grace, wisdom, and sovereign plan. By trusting in His goodness, relying on His strength, and following the example of Christ, we can overcome any adversity and find hope and purpose in the midst of life’s challenges.
May we fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, and run with endurance the race set before us, knowing that our ultimate reward is secure in Him.