Generosity: The Generous Creator's Abundant World Намуна

Ruling Generously

What images do you associate with royalty? Many of us think of crowns sparkling with precious stones, ornate palaces and gilded thrones — things far removed from how most of us live. But God created all people in his image so that they would all serve as kings and queens ruling over his creation in a way that reflects his justice and generosity. Unfortunately, people quickly turn away from God, choosing to rule according to their own wisdom. So instead of a world full of justice and generosity, we see greed and oppression.

After God frees the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, he gives instruction about how they should rule in the land he will give them. One instruction tells landowners that they should never glean all of the produce from their fields but should leave a sizeable portion (minimum of 10%) of the crops unharvested. By doing that, the poor will have something to eat, but they aren’t treated as lessers. This instruction from God also ensures that the poor receive the gift of human dignity by working for food along with the rest of the community. (The story of Ruth in the Old Testament has much to do with this gleaning law as she and Naomi arrive with desperate need and are given freedom to glean in Boaz’s fields.)

God tells the Israelites to follow this gleaning instruction because they remember what it was like to be vulnerable and desperate in Egypt, suffering under the death-dealing rule of Pharaoh. He knows that they could use their newfound freedom to become new pharaohs who now oppress one another. So he gives clear instructions about how to rule in a way that rejects injustice and leads to life, dignity and flourishing for all.

Reflection:

How does it affect the way you view your life if you see yourself as a king or queen created to rule over God’s good creation? And how does it change the way you see others to realize that every human being bears God’s divine image and is deeply loved by God?

What are some ways that you can reflect God’s just and generous rule in your sphere of influence?