Fairness

Fairness (or equality) is a pretty important topic of conversation these days. This is especially in light of recent findings through AI and machine learning about how our views on fairness and equality are really biased and unfair. The sad thing is that it took computer programming to teach us how broken and inhuman we truly are.

As a leader and a Christ follower then, we need to be more transparent and take extra steps in being fair. Look at what God tells Moses and the Israelites as they are sojourning toward their new found nation:

For the assembly, there shall be one statute for you and for the stranger who sojourns with you, a statute forever throughout your generations. You and the sojourner shall be alike before the Lord.

Numbers 15:15 ESV

In other words, under God, all people are equal and should be treated as equals and have the same rules and guidelines to follow. But how many of us look for an extra favor in our dealings? Rather, how many people come to us looking for an extra dose of favor from us to disadvantage others?

Once a guy at a big church told me that the rules for one person can be different than the rules for another based on the relationship the person had with a certain manager even if the roles and levels of the two people are the same. When I confronted the manager about this, it caused the person to rethink the approach taken in dealing with the two individuals.

That type of treatment is clearly unfair, isn’t it? This story really begs the question: Is that how we lead our office or home? Negotiating relationships without recognizing the unsaid biases that define fairness in our mind? I have two questions that you need to answer as your wrestle with the idea of fairness in your life and work on loving your neighbor like Jesus loves you.

Question 1: Are your actions inline with your values?

Most of us will intrinsically say, “yes, our actions are inline with our values.” But take a closer look at your actions. We say we treat people the same, but remember the last time somebody choked on their saliva while wearing the mask at the supermarket ten feet from you and you gave him a dirty look and started backing away slowly? Now, imagine if that person wore a tattered shirt or jeans too skinny, you’d look at the person with a different type of contempt.

The example is silly, but probably all too real because you made judgments about the way people are and even though your values (faith in God) tell us to love and forgive, you really haven’t forgotten and you don’t really love. Rather, you bury the feelings and you are cordial. Remember that the next time you exit the car really slow to avoid your neighbors.

Question 2: Are there different standards based on known or unknown criteria?

This passage in Numbers is about making pleasing sacrifices to God. What God clearly says to the Israelites is this: there is one way to making pleasing sacrifices to me. It doesn’t matter if the sacrifice was made by an Israelite or a foreigner. There is just one set of rules that all people must follow when making an animal sacrifice. It’s so simple. How complicated are our rules and parameters and treatment of people based on certain criteria? Isn’t that why 2020 became so polarizing with protests decrying unfairness in societal practices?

In conclusion, we need to critically examine our actions and language toward all people and do our very best to correct any unfairness toward them from our hearts. It’s guaranteed that we won’t get it right. But as a follower of Jesus, we need to live, the best that we can, like there is one law and one rule for all people, regardless.