What To Do When You’re Treated Unfairly
Money is often the issue when we interact with others, and it’s a powerful motivator to strike back when we feel we’re being mistreated. Losing money we feel we deserve to have can make us feel bitter.
But Hebrews 12:15 tells us, “See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no ‘root of bitterness’ springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled.”
We live in a fallen world filled with fallen people, and we’ll all experience mistreatment at one time or another.
It’s important to remember that you’re one of those fallen people, too. Your first instinct might be to lash out against someone who’s mistreating you, but that is not a biblical response to mistreatment. Instead, look to Christ as your model. No one suffered more injustice and mistreatment than Jesus.
In 1 Peter 2:20-22, the apostle tells us how a Christian should respond to mistreatment. It reads, “When you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.”
That’s a high bar to reach, but Peter tells us how to respond like Christ to injustice in verses 23 and 24. “When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.”
Responding Like Christ
Trusting God to work for good in all your affairs is the key to responding like Christ to injustice.
Psalm 37:4-6 says, “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.”
One of the most significant examples of a Christ-like response to injustice is found in Genesis and the story of Joseph. He was first sold into slavery by his brothers, then wrongly accused by Potiphar’s wife and thrown into prison.
Yet Joseph never reacted ungodly to injustice. He even went on to save his brothers and all of Israel when famine struck. Joseph trusted God, who eventually used Joseph’s mistreatment in a powerful way. God tests us the same way when we suffer injustice. He expects us to respond like Christ.
This doesn’t mean that we must quietly accept every injustice that comes our way. It’s not unbiblical to state your case in truth and love; the result must be left to God.
On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:
- My husband and I just sold our home, and we’re close to retirement age. My husband is almost 70 and would like to retire in July, and I’m only working part-time. What we want to know is what would be a prudent amount to reinvest in another home.
- We have about $420,000 in retirement, and my employer contributes 14% regardless, so we’ve been adding 10% extra to that for as long as we’ve been employed. We have no debt, but we owe $154,000 on our home, and I’m wondering if it would be better just to take that extra 10% every month and pay off our home.
Resources Mentioned:
- Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool
- Find a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA)
- FaithFi App
Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every workday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God’s resources.
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