Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.” 2 Corinthians 8:13-15
“A recent study found that higher income people were only less generous under real or perceived conditions of high economic inequality. In this study, higher income people from states with high inequality were less generous in a lab experiment than lower income people, but the opposite was seen in people from states with low inequality. Another part of this study found that people did not need to actually have lived in a state with high inequality to experience this effect; when higher income people were told they lived in a state with high income inequality, they gave less, even when the inequality was a fabrication. The researchers posit that this effect might be because inequality leads people to feel a greater sense of entitlement and deservingness that can lead to stinginess.”
Summer Allen in “The Science of Generosity” White Paper produced by the Greater Good Science Center.
I have arrived safely in Cayman Islands (pictured above). It was gorgeous when I landed. The cruise ship in the blue water below provides a glimpse into the dynamics that impact generosity in this cultural setting.
Locals regularly interact with wealthy tourists (think: inequality). As a result, they are suspect of many outsiders. John informed me that coming here was important to build relationships.
And I find it interesting how the research links to the situation where God has me. Let me explain. Because national workers often lack training needed for roles (think: inequality), if foreigners come in they can only stay a maximum of 9 years and then they need to leave.
This policy exists for many reasons. One relates to the fact that a feeling of inequality exists. This timeframe gives locals an opportunity to learn missing skills and not depend on outsiders long-term. Sadly, the inequality fosters “entitlement and deservingness that can lead to stinginess.” Inequality stifles generosity.
Notice that Paul focuses on equality. In echoing the account of collecting manna, everything was shared so everyone had enough. Now neither Paul nor I am calling for forced sharing, like communism or socialism, or saying that a person cannot take a vacation to a tropic island.
But I am saying that God’s people must value people over possessions by choosing aiming at generosity that brings equality. Our giving should help build up local workers with an aim at equality to dispel the inequality mindset, otherwise “entitlement and deservingness that can lead to stinginess” will overtake the setting.
Let us remember, Jesus set aside the riches of heaven and made Himself nothing so that we could have a share in life everlasting! Pray for fruitful meetings today in Cayman Islands with some of the most influential Christian workers in the country. Thanks.