We are all all too comfortable affirming we are due what we are in fact not due. We are prone to confusing wants and rights. Some argue that every employee is owed a “living wage.” Whence came, however, such an obligation on an employer to pay such a wage? Does God require it? If not, who are we to do so? If so, would you please show me where?
The only biblical conversation I am aware of over the justness of a given wage is found in Matthew 20, the parable of the workers in the vineyard. You remember the story. The owner hires a crew in the morning at an agreed upon wage. Three hours later he hired more men. Three more and again, three more again, and finally, hires the last crew with only one hour left in the workday. He then proceeds to pay the first group what was agreed upon. Then pays each other group the same amount. The first group objects. The owner explains that no one got less than they agreed to, and thus no one was done wrong.
Of course this is a parable about God’s grace. Which does nothing to undo the soundness of the principle. We are all owed what we agree to. If we agree to it, we haven’t been cheated, exploited, shortchanged or robbed. We are not owed more. Nor do we owe more to anyone we hire than what we agree to.
The economic value of a given person’s labor is measured not by the training that preceded it, not by the effort inherent in it, but in the value placed on it by the consumer of that labor. Which means no one is owed a living wage. This is not cruel indifference toward anyone. It is instead protective of everyone’s freedom. No one should be forced to pay more than they are willing.
This applies also to those who earn more. Because the value of one person’s labor is what someone is willing to pay, no one is overpaid in a free market. When some sports star signs a big contract he is only receiving what the ones signing him are willing to pay. When a person enters the marketplace and finds eager buyers for his goods or services, he earns every penny he makes, even if it’s billions. He need feel no guilt. Nor ought any of us feel covetous toward those whose goods and services are in great demand.
Every weekday at this site I post either an article or a podcast. I offer them for free. I do, from rare time to rare time seek support for this work. Two things I have never done, however. I’ve never tried to play upon anyone’s guilt for not supporting this work. Second, I’ve never encouraged those who won’t support this work to move on. I’m in the writing/teaching “business,” not the fundraising business. If you value what you’re reading enough to invest your time in it, you need not invest your treasure in it.
Be at peace with what you earn, and with what others earn. Give thanks to the Lord for He is the one who provides and prospers.