What About White Privilege?

The Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But suppose the servant says to himself, ‘My master is taking a long time in coming,’ and he then begins to beat the other servants, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk. The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers. “The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows. But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.  (Luke 12:42-48 NIV)

Very much has been said and written in the last couple of years about what has come to be known as white privilege.  As a white male growing up and living in a mostly white community and culture, I took offense at this term when I first heard it.  However, over time as I read books and listened to messages about this subject, I came to a better understanding of what is meant by white privilege such that it no longer offends me.  It would be dishonest of me to not realize that by virtue of my birth, into a white middle-class family, that I received many privileges that have contributed to the quality of my life.  These include receiving a good education paid for by my family, good health care, good jobs that paid well and not being suspected as to my motives or abilities due to the color of my skin and many other such privileges.

By quality of life, I mean having never had to miss a meal because I did not have enough to pay for it, living in a comfortable crime free neighborhood, access to good health care, no fear for my safety when I see a policeman, etc.  Sadly, even if I had not made good use of these privileges, I may still have had more quality of life than many, who by virtue of their skin color alone, did not have those same privileges.

Socialism seems to be a way to equalize the distribution of privileges.  But sadly, history indicates this is not true.  Countries that have embraced socialism still have great inequity in who receives certain privileges without the hope of hard work gaining them a better quality of life.

So, what does all of this have to do with the scripture quoted above.  Jesus came from the Father full of grace and truth and from that fullness he has given us grace upon grace.  A good definition of grace is to lean towards a person with the desire to share benefits with them, to give myself to them for their benefit.  As one who has been born again, Jesus lives in me and I in him, therefore the fullness of his grace is in me.  That grace is not meant to be only for my benefit but for others as well. In other words, I am to be a good steward of the grace given to me and to use whatever privileges I have been given to help other people.  “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”  Being a recipient of white privilege means I have a great duty to seek the good for my neighbor who does not have those same privileges. 

As I honestly reflect on this, I must admit that I have not been a good steward of the privileges that I received.  I am looking for ways to help beyond giving money to various ministries that are involved directly with people.  Giving money is a good thing but it does not involve me building relationships with people.  I hope to do better in 2021.

Blessings,

Kevin