Biblical Perspective on Income Inequality
Description
This seminar will explore the topic of income inequality as it is commonly understood by young people in contemporary American culture and then evaluate those concerns through a biblical lens. Students will examine when economic inequality is the result of injustice and oppression, and when inequality can arise from morally legitimate factors such as differing labor, responsibility, productivity, and stewardship. Drawing from both Old and New Testament passages, the seminar will present a biblical framework that affirms compassion for the poor, personal responsibility, the dignity of work, and God’s role in enabling wealth creation—without assuming that wealth is a zero-sum resource.
Course Objectives
By the end of this seminar, students will be able to:
* Articulate common moral and cultural concerns surrounding income inequality in the United States today.
* Distinguish biblically between unjust inequality (rooted in oppression, fraud, favoritism, or violence) and just inequality (arising from differences in labor, skill, responsibility, and stewardship).
* Explain how Scripture affirms both care for the poor and the moral obligation to work and provide for one’s household (e.g., 1 Tim 5:8; 2 Thess 3:10).
* Evaluate claims that wealth is inherently exploitative or zero-sum in light of passages such as Deuteronomy 8:18.
* Develop a Christian approach to economic questions that resists envy, favoritism, and coercion while promoting justice, generosity, and human flourishing.
* Encourage students to read key biblical passages on work, wealth, poverty, and justice prior to the seminar (see recommended Scripture below).
Required Texts and Materials
- Recommended Scripture readings:
- Exodus 23:1–9
- Deuteronomy 8:17–18; 15:7–11
- Proverbs 12:11; 13:4; 22:2
- Genesis 2:15
- Romans 13:1–4
- 1 Timothy 5:8
- 2 Thessalonians 3:6–12
- Recommended books:
- Craig L. Blomberg, Neither Poverty nor Riches
- Thomas Sowell, Applied Economics
- Online resources:
Course Evaluation
NA
Language
English
Course Schedule
Please be aware of time zone differences!
Select your Time Zone
-
Week 1 - Mar 07
09:00 AMTopicBiblical Perspective on Income Inequality
NotesOutline of the Workshop
1. Introduction: Why Income Inequality Matters to This Generation
2. How Scripture Defines Justice (Not Equality)
* Exodus 23:3 and the danger of favoritism—even toward the poor
* Justice vs. outcomes (equity)
* Parable of the harvest workers (Mt 20:1–16)
3. Work, Responsibility, and Human Flourishing
* Genesis 2:15: work before the Fall
* Proverbs 12:11; 2 Thessalonians 3:10
* The dignity of productive labor
4. Poverty, Compassion, and Moral Obligation
* Deuteronomy 15:11: the poor will always be present
* 1 Timothy 5:8: provision as a moral duty
* Charity vs. entitlement
* How best to help the poor
5. Wealth Creation and God’s Sovereignty
* Deuteronomy 8:18 and the myth of zero-sum wealth
* The parable of the talents (Matthew 25)
* Romans 13:3–4 and the role of government
6. When Inequality Is Sinful
* Coercion (Exod 1)
* Corrupt laws or courts (Isa 10; Amos 5)
* Labor exploitation (James 5)
* Land seizure or monopolization (Isa 5)
* Predatory debt (Neh 5)
* Indifference to suffering (Ezek 16; Luke 16)
7. Q&A and Guided Discussion (20 minutes)
* Student questions
* Practical application for Christian living and civic engagement
Instructor
Shepherd Ben West
Applied / Capacity