By Archie England, Professor of Old Testament and Hebrew at NOBTS
Question: In what way does, A little with righteousness is better than a lot of gain without justice (Proverbs 16:8), impact our contemporary assessment of capitalism or socialism?
Archie England responds: Proverbs 16:8 focuses on the individual’s responsibility in the arena of social justice. The “haves” must recognize and address the needs (not wants) of the “have-nots.” This verse informs us that a little is better than a lot when the little is maintained by a righteous lifestyle. It also presses the metaphor that having an abundance (a lot of gain) is not worth the trouble when it is associated with injustice. Doing what’s right always trumps having more.
In other words, social justice demands citizens recognize, respond, and take care of the needs of those less fortunate. Socialists typically equate this with welfare, which then functions as a necessary, and fair, (re)distribution of wealth. Some further press Acts 2:44-45 as a New Testament affirmation of this, as well. This derives from the idea that wealth is intended to be generously shared.
Proverbs 16, however, doesn’t affirm the distribution or sharing of wealth. Rather, it urges the responsible stewardship of the harvest. In the Mosaic Law (Leviticus 19:9; 23:22), God gave Israel directions on how to effect welfare for aliens, orphans, and widows: leave the corners of each field and don’t pick the crops clean (grains), especially anything that has fallen to the ground (think fruits).
Those who “had” provided the means for those who “had-not;” provisions were readily available for any willing to gather for themselves.
What perverts this biblical system of social justice is greed: “having a lot of gain.” Such greed is often depicted as capitalism, the right to profit from work. Why should a landowner not harvest everything, as thoroughly as possible? The answer is simple: God’s word directs us not to do so. Harvesting an abundance is not condemned; it’s harvesting everything exhaustively. Having – by breaking God’s law – is a far worse problem than having less. Righteousness cannot be equated with materialistic abundance. In fact, abundance quite possibly leads to injustice.
Proverbs 16:8 confronts us: Can we rest comfortably – well clothed, fed, and satisfied – while our neighbors have so much less, or nothing at all, when what they lack is the result of our clean picking of every piece of the harvest?
In the end, neither socialism nor capitalism reflects the biblical ideal! Social justice manifests itself via the compassion and love of God’s people. To love God is to love whom and what God loves: God loves the world so much so that HE sent His Son Jesus to die on the Cross. Do you love the world? Enough to have a little with righteousness rather than a lot with injustice?
Archie England Ph.D. is director of the NOBTS Baptist College Partnership and professor of Old Testament and Hebrew, occupying the J. Wash Watts Chair of Old Testament and Hebrew at NOBTS.