Does "equality" even matter to Jesus?

2PhiloVoid · Thursday at 7:43 PM

bèlla said:
This is going to be an interesting concept in the near future. I’m witnessing a different phenomenon on social media in relation to financial inequality. It’s becoming increasingly acceptable to have differences and the well heeled are being celebrated. We see this with the emergence of richtok which is a sub forum within the platform devoted to content by wealthy creators. A new slogan has arisen as a result which the users deem as ”rich done right”.

We’re not talking about the luxuries we saw back in the day. Those pale in comparison. We’re seeing high jewelry on display which even surprised yours truly. That’s usually the domain for red carpets and black tie events and often requires security to wear in public. Not to be outdone by this we’re taken along to private events sponsored by heritage brands that demand a comparable spending level for invitation. Usually seven figures or more.

I saw us heading in this direction during the pandemic and always felt the quiet luxury trend “wealth whispers” was a precursor for what we are. You’ll be hard pressed to be on any platform without encountering a reference to old money. Are we breeding pseudo elitists or apologists for rulership or a bit of both? You be the judge. ;-)

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7499630350679805227
~bella

I wasn't familiar with this trend or with "richtok," but now that you've informed me about it, I can't say I'm surprised. If anything, it fits with what I expect from our world... according to His Word.

zippy2006 · Thursday at 8:17 PM

joechristianwarrior said:
What do you guys think?

I think the video is based in non sequitur reasoning. For example:

joechristianwarrior said:
I felt the video was more or less saying to serve others with basics like food and clothes when we see those around us in need.

Okay, but what does that have to do with the modern notion of equality? Giving others "basics like food and clothes" does not create equality in the modern sense of the word. No one advocating for equality would be satisfied if everyone were given food and clothing.

The video claims that Jesus treated everyone equally, yet this is factually incorrect. He did not treat the Canaanite woman the same way he treated Hebrew women. He did not treat the Pharisees the same way he treated the Apostles. He did not treat those who had faith the same way he treated those who did not have faith.

The video tries to claim that references to Isaiah 40 are somehow about financial equality, which is quite the stretch. At the same time it conveniently ignores verses like the parable of the talents in Matthew 25, a parable which is grounded in an explicitly financial context, "For to every one who has will more be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away."

So I don't think it works. More generally, political agendas and Jesus' agenda don't usually go hand in hand.

timothyu · Saturday at 12:04 PM

Aaron112 said:
social justice".

Meaning love all as self, over self interest.

com7fy8 · Saturday at 12:46 PM

2PhiloVoid said:
I'm not a fan of Marxism or of any form of Communism, and I don't think either Jesus or the apostle Paul would have been either.

I would say that no system can work right if it is done by worldly people. Look, for example, at how American democracy is going. There is even a political civil war in progress, I would say. Humans, then, are the problem. I mean selfish and controlling humans.

The Law of Moses was perfect for the Jews > God's own making. However . . . look how well it worked, with such disobedient people.

In case a person considers equality to be that everyone gets the same goods >

that is material stuff, not what equality is really made of. However, we do have instances of material equality > of course, while there was the early church and they had all things common. Also, after David and his men defeated the Amalekites, in 1 Samuel 30, he had the noncombatants get plunder, along with the ones who did the fighting.

But in case someone gets goods and just wastes them, now the person is not equal!! Others have more.

In John 17 we see how Jesus prayed for our Father to love us as He loves Jesus. If we are loved as God loves His own Son Jesus . . . being equally loved is a form of equality.

But God might entrust more materials to a more capable person . . . right?

So - - trust God to do what He wants.

Robban · Saturday at 2:17 PM

joechristianwarrior said:
I am curious to hear you guys' thoughts on the issue of "equality", and whether it even matters to Jesus. I've heard many on the political left argue that it does, though I've heard many others (usually on the political right!) say it doesn't matter, that it's all just "woke" and "Marxism"; and that the only justice important to Christians is that we'll see when Jesus returns.

What do you guys think? I'd encourage everyone to check out this 4-minute video before you reply, as I think it sets good context for some of the dilemma I'm trying to get at with my question. And then let me know what you think, thanks:

We are all needed as with the body, does the hand say to the foot, "I don`t need you?"

Does the ear say to the eyes, "I don`need you?"

And so on and so on.

Harmony and balance usually results in peace.

Beware of extremes,

"No leaven, nor any honey, shall be offered by fire to G-d."
(Leviticus 2:11)

Ultra-sweet honey and ultra-sour leaven, are opposite extremes;

G-d does not like extremes.

(Chassidic Master Rabbi Mendel of Kotzk.)

Robban · Saturday at 2:38 PM

Envy not the prosperity of the wicked, lest you fall into their ways.

ViaCrucis · Saturday at 4:00 PM

Aaron112 said:
I think I remember seeing from Scripture: "Jesus says not to tackle social issues" ; i.e. not only not to be bothered with them, but not to intervene in social issues - it is not part of God's Kingdom/ Purpose/ Will.

I can only assume that this is an attempt at a joke?

-CryptoLutheran

ViaCrucis · 2025-09-14T00:31:52-0500

Aaron112 said:
too bad....... truth has been replaced so much, for so l0ng, with a social gospel (a false gospel), that truth is not even valued anymore in most places, nor even recognised...

I think I remember seeing from Scripture: "Jesus says not to tackle social issues"

You saw that in Scripture? Was it in 3 Thessalonians? Perhaps 2 Hesitations?

-CryptoLutheran

ralliann · 2025-09-14T11:17:31-0500

childeye 2 said:
' Equality' needs to be clarified, objectively speaking. But for me, the sentiment of Love your neighbor as yourself would infer equality. Another thought that comes to mind is that Jesus said to sell all your possessions and give to the poor and you will have riches in heaven.

This was in context of wrath coming and the destruction of the temple and Exile from the land. It does not speak to secular Government.

childeye 2 · 2025-09-14T13:05:30-0500

ralliann said:
This was in context of wrath coming and the destruction of the temple and Exile from the land. It does not speak to secular Government.

Is this statement meant to be speaking about the intent of Jesus? To me he's describing what one must do to be the perfect servant, or in other words, perfectly selfless.

ralliann · 2025-09-14T16:27:22-0500

childeye 2 said:
Is this statement meant to be speaking about the intent of Jesus? To me he's describing what one must do to be the perfect servant, or in other words, perfectly selfless.

Context.....
Is it about all believers and all life situations how they are to walk?
Are we all called to this?
They were going to lose all. Including their very lives. Were they willing? Yes.
Ps 116:15 Precious in the sight of the LORD [is] the death of his saints.
Ac 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
Ro 11:3 Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.
Ro 16:4 Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.

childeye 2 · 2025-09-14T16:52:25-0500

ralliann said:
Context.....
Is it about all believers and all life situations how they are to walk?
Are we all called to this?
They were going to lose all. Including their very lives. Were they willing? Yes.
Ps 116:15 Precious in the sight of the LORD [is] the death of his saints.
Ac 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
Ro 11:3 Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.
Ro 16:4 Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.

I'm sure that we're all called to be charitable, to care for the needs of others.

I'm using it in this context:

Luke 18:21-23

King James Version

21 And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up.

22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
23 And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.

childeye 2 said:
To me he's describing what one must do to be the perfect servant, or in other words, perfectly selfless.

ralliann · 2025-09-14T16:59:40-0500

childeye 2 said:
I'm sure that we're all called to be charitable, to care for the needs of others.

I'm using it in this context:

Luke 18:21-23

King James Version

21 And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up.
22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
23 And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.

childeye 2 said:
To me he's describing what one must do to be the perfect servant, or in other words, perfectly selfless.

I never said we are not to be charitable. I am asking if every Christian is supposed to give up all as were those called to be his witnesses? There may come a time that we will be persecuted and this is upon us to do. Many people are being persecuted and being killed today in some places.
But again, in every instance are all supposed to not have any earthly goods?

childeye 2 · 2025-09-14T19:35:00-0500

ralliann said:
I never said we are not to be charitable. I am asking if every Christian is supposed to give up all as were those called to be his witnesses? There may come a time that we will be persecuted and this is upon us to do. Many people are being persecuted and being killed today in some places.
But again, in every instance are all supposed to not have any earthly goods?

In every instance? Who can say? It's like asking who will be first and who will be last in the kingdom of God. I know I haven't sold my house and given the money to the poor.

When the apostles heard Jesus talk about how hard it is for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven, they said, "Then who can be saved?" To that Jesus answered for men it's impossible, but for God anything is possible.

Matthew 19:
21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.

24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?

26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

Meowzltov · 2025-09-14T20:54:24-0500

joechristianwarrior said:
I am curious to hear you guys' thoughts on the issue of "equality", and whether it even matters to Jesus. I've heard many on the political left argue that it does, though I've heard many others (usually on the political right!) say it doesn't matter, that it's all just "woke" and "Marxism"; and that the only justice important to Christians is that we'll see when Jesus returns.

What do you guys think? I'd encourage everyone to check out this 4-minute video before you reply, as I think it sets good context for some of the dilemma I'm trying to get at with my question. And then let me know what you think, thanks:

There is a REASON that the concept of human rights developed in a Judeo-Christian culture. And no, it doesn't come from the enlightenment--there is nothing about science or logic that leads to belief in equality.

Some ideas just have to simmer on the stove a long, long time before the soup is finally ready. The concept of equality and human rights spring from two ideas that you find in the Torah.

The first is Genesis 1:27, where all humans are created b’tzelem Elohim (“in the image of God”). That means every person shares equal worth and dignity, since the same God stamped His image on everyone. This is one of the strongest theological roots of human equality.

The second is more roundabout. If there is only one Creator, then all people ultimately come from that same God. No group can claim to have been created by a higher or different deity. This undermines religious or tribal hierarchies based on having a "better" god. Similarly, if one God rules over all, then His moral law applies universally. There aren’t separate sets of laws or standards for different peoples in His eyes. This idea eventually develops into the principle that justice and righteousness are universal, not privileges of a certain class, race, or nation.

A single God is not just a local or tribal deity but the God of heaven and earth. That means His concern extends to everyone, not just to one chosen group. Even in the Hebrew Bible, while Israel has a covenant role, God is also depicted as caring for all nations and holding them accountable to moral standards.

It has taken thousands of years for the ramifications of monotheism to reach this level. Who knows where it may take us in the millennia to come?

Meowzltov · 2025-09-14T20:55:22-0500

ralliann said:
I never said we are not to be charitable. I am asking if every Christian is supposed to give up all as were those called to be his witnesses? There may come a time that we will be persecuted and this is upon us to do. Many people are being persecuted and being killed today in some places.
But again, in every instance are all supposed to not have any earthly goods?

Doesn't everything belong to God? Has he not merely entrusted it to us? And is not a portion entrusted to us on behalf of the poor?

Aaron112 · 2025-09-15T05:55:21-0500

Righteousness is required, not charity nor charitableness which are flesh constructs and deceptive and increasing pridefulness every day.

ralliann · 2025-09-15T07:25:10-0500

Meowzltov said:
Doesn't everything belong to God? Has he not merely entrusted it to us? And is not a portion entrusted to us on behalf of the poor?

God decides who he will bless. Envy, and covetousness of what he entrusts to another is a problem with the we here.

Does "equality" even matter to Jesus?

Feel'n the Burn of Philosophy!

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Luke 18:21-23​

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King James Version​

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21 And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up.​

christian

Luke 18:21-23​

​

King James Version​

​

21 And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up.​

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Freylekher Yid

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Similar threads

Luke 18:21-23

King James Version

21 And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up.

Luke 18:21-23

King James Version

21 And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up.