Building Equity

(Proverbs 1:3 KJV)  To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;

I have already commented on the first three targets of spiritual growth.  Now I want to look at the last, “equity” (4339).

We can be instructed in “equity” (4339) {end}.  It would seem to me that this might be a bit redundant, after all, we have already mentioned righteousness and justice.  Why is this added?  I think this is the word that acts as an overview.

This is the word that interests me.  It comes from a root meaning straight.  It says that things are done on a level.  At first a reader might think the word is equality, but it isn’t.  If I were doing a paraphrase I might choose the word “balance.”  This means that we keep on an even keel.  We take the big picture.  Sometimes it is necessary to step back, take a deep breath, maybe mumble a verse of scripture, and try to get things in perspective. 

About 5 years ago I was talked into picking up a golf club.  I had laughed at the “sport” for years.  After a few trips to a driving range and a round of par 3, I was hooked.  I will never be very good at it but I know how to play and keep up with people who are.  Part of playing golf is a sense of “equity.”  When the first three players hit their ball 230 yards and mine goes into the trees 50 yards away the worst thing you can do it get up tight.  There is something that happens in golf when you get frustrated.  You get worse when you thought you were already at the bottom.  If you relax and accept it is only a game you can frequently hit a good shot on your next swing.

Part of what God is trying to teach us is to step back and look at the big picture.  Is the country falling apart?  Is your church luke-warm?  Are  your kids listening to “music”?  Did you eat too much at Thanksgiving?  Relax.  Look up.  Get in touch with the painter of the Big Picture.  And then step up and take another swing.

Remember, we are people of the Book.  We have read the Book, and we know who wins.  We have also seen in the Book that the winning team often gets thrown for a loss.  (Football, not golf).  Trust in the Author of Salvation.