Equality vs Equity

Equality vs Equity

Lately I have been noticing that the word "equity" is replacing the word "equality" - I have noticed this on commercials, articles and even in politics.  The meanings of these words are very different, so I decided to dedicate a post to studying these differences.  We will also be studying what the Bible says about "equality".

Equality - to be identical in value;  of the same measure, quantity, amount or number as another.

Equity- quality of being fair or impartial;  a body of legal doctrines and rules developed to enlarge, supplement or override a narrow rigid system of law.

Since the meaning of "equity" is based on "fairness" I thought it would be a good idea to define "fair" also:

Fair - sufficient but not ample;  not very good or very bad;  of average or acceptable quality.

Let's take a look at the picture of sunflowers above and try to use that as an analogy of "equality vs equity."

The two sunflowers on the left are not identical (one has a larger middle and the other has a deeper plum color) but they are equal in value.

The sunflower on the right however is "fair" - it's not that great but it still passes as a sunflower which means that it's not that bad either.  It has acceptable quality because you can still tell that it is a sunflower with most of the petals and part of a middle.  

What a difference in meaning!!

Now let's take a look at what the Bible says about "equality".

Firstly, is there anyone equal to our Heavenly Father?

“To whom will you compare me?  Who is my equal?” asks the Holy One.”
Isaiah 40:25 

Look what happened to Lucifer when he tried to be God's equal:

"How you are fallen from heaven,O Lucifer, son of the morning!

How you are cut down to the ground,

You who weakened the nations!

For you have said in your heart:

‘I will ascend into heaven,

I will exalt my throne above the stars of God;

I will also sit on the mount of the congregation

On the farthest sides of the north;

I will ascend above the heights of the clouds,

I will be like the Most High.’

Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol,

To the lowest depths of the Pit."

Isaiah 14:12-15

Then what about us?  Should we treat each other equally?

The verse below is so wonderful - this is exactly how we should treat each other (notice the use of the word "abundance" - that is what God meant for all of our lives - to live in abundance and in harmony/equal to each other): 

The above Scripture is similar to the passage detailing how the church family should act towards each other (see verse below):

“so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.”

1 Corinthians 12:25

Finally, we need to look at the Divinely inspired "U.S. Declaration of Independence":

We are ALL created equal by our Creator!!  With rights that can NEVER be taken away

(Unalienable means - impossible to take away or give up)

 

Let's praise our Heavenly Father that we were NOT created "equitably" but rather EQUALLY!

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