Sider Economic Equality

In a chapter from Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger, Ronald Sider discusses economic relationships for Christians. Sider believes that Christians should have “transformed” economic relationships. God calls his people to be fair and just, however, there are many economic inequalities people experience. Through Biblical models, Sider emphasizes the importance of healthy economic relationships among God’s people. To support his view on economic practices, Sider turns to the Bible to get scriptural examples of ways to achieve economic equality. First, Sider gives examples from the Old Testament. The first model he mentions is the Jubilee Principle. Leviticus 25 describes this principle that will encourage justice and equality. Following the Jubilee Principle would mean that land would be returned to the original owners every 50 years. This allows people who no longer had their land to receive it back and be able to use their land to grow crops and make money. So, people were able to become self-sufficient once again. However, there is no proof that Israelites actually practiced the Jubilee Principle. A model that Israelites practiced occasionally is the Sabbatical Year. Under this order

I especially like that Sider calls for healthy economic relationships, because Christians are one body of Christ, it’s important to see that all people have economic equity. I think this is an effective idea, because economic equality affects more than just finances. Also, I liked that Sider gave Biblical examples that show changing economic habits can lessen economic inequalities. By doing this, Sider employs the Biblical material well. He is able to use specific examples, even if they may not be realistically applicable to today, but if not he makes sure to clarify this. Sider presents his argument in a logical approach that Christians can make sense