CHRISTIAN COMMENT: Do what is fair

“We are all in this together!”

This is a phrase that I’ve heard mentioned a number of times in the past week.

The first was by the Chancellor as he outlined a range of cuts that will have an impact on almost all of homes and lives.

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It seems to me that he used the phrase as a rallying cry to rebuild the sense of togetherness at all sorts of levels in our society.

Looking out for our neighbours and colleagues will become even more crucial in the weeks and months ahead.

On Wednesday, October 20, I attended a conference for church leaders with key community representatives to explore how together we could effectively work together to support those most affected by the cuts.

It is easy to talk the talk about “Big Society” but any society is built one act of kindness at a time.

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Another time I heard the phrase was during the Worthing Musical Comedy Society’s excellent production of Beauty and the Beast.

The production embodied for me what can happen when people from different walks of life with different skills decide not simply to work for their own limelight but pool their resources and create something much better.

The Wonder of Worthing campaign too is an excellent way in which we can celebrate all that is good within this community – what a pleasure to read so many good news stories in last week’s issue.

Of course in God’s original vision for society he never intended for us to live lives detached from each other.

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Back in the beginning looking at Adam, God concludes, “It is not good for the man to be alone”. (Genesis 2: 18) and later we read of one instance where God sets out his desire for each human being: “But God has already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women”.

It’s quite simple: “Do what is fair and just to your neighbour, be compassionate and loyal in your love, and don’t take yourself too seriously – take God seriously”. (Micah 6:8, The Message).

May those around you be blessed by your care for them and may each of be blessed by good neighbours and not just in days of economic crisis.