Recently, I got into a discussion about the difference between Equity and Equality. As it turned out, I had confused the meaning of the two words and needed a little reminder. Very simply, equality is having the same status, rights and opportunities, while equity, as it is now being defined in our society, is everyone having the same things—exactly the same things.
Practically speaking, there has been great diversity among us since the beginning of time. From the creation there have been male and female, rich and poor, intellectual and ignorant, laborers and lazy, overweight and underweight, athletic and clumsy. Some are employees while others are employers; some are healthy and others sickly. Differences abound. Some of our differences are the handiwork of God while others are the results of decisions that we have made (wise and unwise). In the past, we have celebrated our differences and enjoyed our diversity, but now there are those who would illogically infer that we are, or should be, all the same. Such nonsense would be laughable if they were not so serious.
While we are all very different one from the other, we have, for the most part, at least in my lifetime, enjoyed equality in the application of laws, opportunities to excel, etc. But still there are those who insist that they have been slighted by those of us who have accepted our station in life and press on. Perhaps you have noticed, as I have, that those who complain the most are those who have contributed the least.
Even in the spiritual realm there is diversity. There are the saved and the unsaved, the godly and the godless, the zealous and the complacent, the wise and the unwise, etc. To assume that we are all the same is equally ludicrous in this realm. Nevertheless, God has graciously extended the same opportunities to all: “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:13)” “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)”