Ronald Sider's Rich Christians In An Age Of Hunger

In his essay, taken from the book Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger, Ronald Sider argues that God’s will for the economic relationships of man is to have justice for the poor. Supporting his argument with three different examples from the Old Testament and multiple from the New Testament, Sider shows how the implementation of processes to promote economic justice evolved in the Bible, while at the same time showing how the spirit of God’s will, or the law, never changed. Sider also views the texts he pulls from the Bible through their practical application in modern times, and through the lens of retribution theology in its relation to economics. The three examples of God’s economic requirements that Sider presents from the Old Testaments are the year of jubilee, the sabbatical year, and laws on tithing and gleaning. The year of jubilee requires that every fifty years land be returned to its original owner without reimbursement. Furthermore, those selling the land must base the price on the length of time that the land is being sold …show more content…
Paul did not demand that the congregations help, but presented his request in a way that appealed to those giving money. Sider pointed to a few of Paul’s letters where Paul requests money, but also says in return those in the congregation will be provided for if they were ever in a time of need. Sider also pulls from the texts the implication that congregations and people would be sinning if they did not share and were not aware of providing for the needs of the poor. As a result of the sin, the body of the congregation would be punished. On the other hand, following the principles of economic justice and providing for those in need results in blessing and strength of the body of the people of