Fairness V

"Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise."

 - From Luke 3

John the Baptist was conducting a ministry of repentance. He called on people, basically, not to be so full of themselves. 

Crowds of people, not unlike a modern #metoo or #resist movement, followed him. They loved hearing him condemn the wealthy and privileged, but then were shocked as he pronounced them (the crowd) a "den of vipers." 

John knew that people that join a crowd are more joiners than they are courageous, or particularly principled. People like being part of something big. But this counts for nothing when it comes to the most serious matter: eternal life or death. He gave them what few modern crowds ever get: the truth.

The crowds were moved, and asked John "What then, should we do?"

John the Baptist replied:

"Join a political movement. Get the government to raise taxes to help the poor. Put lots of bumper stickers on your chariots. Shout down anyone that disagrees with you, and call them anti-Samaritans. Unfriend anyone that questions or challenges you. And then lets get the right people elected to the government in Rome. Forget about the Judean government - that's not where the action is."

No, actually, John's message to them was summarized in the Scripture sample, above.

Share with the people that have less food, and less clothing, than you do.

When the problem is a lack of fairness, the solution is for you to even the playing field for others, in a sacrificial way. 

You do something about it. You. 

Your political solution just gets people mad at each other, and encouraged people to do their good works in private. 

Votes, and advocating for higher taxes helps no needy person. But it might make you look good to half the population (while making you completely unpersuasive to the other half).

The world is not fair. We want it to be fair. And the only person over whom you have any control, that can do anything about it, is you.

You.