Just Compensations

It was reported in May 2008 that man is suing JetBlue airlines for $2 million in the New York State Supreme Court.  He is suing for the extreme humiliation he suffered when he was forced to give up his seat for a sick flight attendant.  The alternate seat he was given? The toilet!

The man, Gokhan Mutlu checked in for a jetBlue 5 hour flight from San Diego to New York and was told the flight was full. Mutlu was allowed to board after a jetBlue flight attendant agreed to give up her seat and travel in an airline employee "jump seat." However, 90 minutes into the flight, the pilot told Mutlu the flight attendant was feeling uncomfortable and he would have to give up his seat and "hang out" in the bathroom for the remainder of the flight, the lawsuit said.

The pilot "became angry at his reluctance to comply" and said Mutlu "should be grateful for being onboard," the lawsuit said. When Mutlu volunteered to sit in the "jump seat," he was told it was reserved for airline personnel. At one point, the airplane experienced turbulence and Mutlu sat on the toilet seat without a seat belt, causing him "tremendous fear," the lawsuit said. The lawsuit claims JetBlue negligently endangered him by not providing him with a seat with a safety belt or harness, in violation of federal law.

We live in an era where lawsuits are common and perhaps sometimes over the board.  In fact, there is a website called overlawyerd.com that compiles lawsuits to show how ridiculous some lawsuits have become.  Nevertheless, much of the concepts of compensations do derive from the Bible. It is important to understand some important principles when injuries do happen.  From it, we can also learn a lot about taking personal responsibility for our actions.

From Exodus 21:18-36 we will highlight some key principles. I must highlight that these laws were meant to help bring fairness and consistency for the Israelite community to function while they were in the desert.  These laws were given in a context of the existing social practices.  God did not intend to radically over-turn every practice hence He allowed certain practices to continue during that time.  God just modified it to improve it.

1.  TO WHAT EXTENT ARE YOU RESPONSIBLE?

• Basic principles for determining extent of responsibility

Exodus 21:26–29 (NIV) 26 “An owner who hits a male or female slave in the eye and destroys it must let the slave go free to compensate for the eye. 27 And an owner who knocks out the tooth of a male or female slave must let the slave go free to compensate for the tooth. 28 “If a bull gores a man or woman to death, the bull is to be stoned to death, and its meat must not be eaten. But the owner of the bull will not be held responsible. 29 If, however, the bull has had the habit of goring and the owner has been warned but has not kept it penned up and it kills a man or woman, the bull is to be stoned and its owner also is to be put to death.

Examples given here outline some key principles for determining the degree to which we are responsible for an injury.  We may conceptualise the extent of responsibility according to 3 broad categories.

Intentional.  In v26-27, the slave owner beats a slave and brings permanent injury.  Then the owner is held fully responsible for the injury.  For the owner clearly inflicted the injury by beating the slave.

Accidental.  In v28 gives an example of a bull that unexpectedly gores (pierce or stabs) someone to death.  In this incident there was no possible prior knowledge that the bull would behave in this way.  It was unexpected.  Hence, the owner will not be charged for causing death but the dangerous animal is to be put down. Note the bull’s meat is not to be eaten is a precaution against diseases such as rabies.

Negligence.  In v29 gives an example where the owner did know that the bull had a habit of goring people. The owner had been warned previously to keep it penned up because it can be a danger to others.  Yet the owner failed to do so.  If the bull does gore someone to death, then the owner is held fully responsible and face the death penalty.  This is the principle of negligence. 

It refers to a criminally careless or reckless act that results in injury to others.  They should have known better. It was reasonably foreseeable.  But nothing reasonable was done to prevent the possibility of injury occurring to others.

Negligence can also occur when a person, such as doctors, owe a certain duty of care but failed to reasonably deliver it.

•  Taking responsibility.

Courier Mail On Aug 2008 reported that cartwheels, handstands and somersaults by children were banned at a north Queensland school last week.  Education Minister Rod Welford admitted that fear of legal action was partly behind the decision.  Nearly 100 lawsuits were filed against the State of Queensland for injuries suffered by schoolchildren in the last financial year.

One child is asking for $280,000 plus interest after she hurt herself playing tiggy (a tag chase child game) in the Bribie Island State School in 2004 when she was six. She tripped on a metal bar "comprising part of the playground equipment" during her lunchbreak. It is alleged she suffered a shortening of her right leg, disuse osteoporosis and a deformity at the neck of the right femur as a result of the fall and then inadequate medical treatment by Queensland Health.  The girl claims that she was not supervised adequately and the playground equipment was not safe.

What has happened to taking personal responsibility?

God determines responsibility on the basis of how much we should reasonably have known about the consequences of our actions.

Throughout Scriptures we find that God determines responsibility on the basis of how much we should reasonably have known about the consequences of our actions. Job 4:8 (NIV) As I have observed, those who plow evil and those who sow trouble reap it. Also, Psalms 126:5 (NIV) Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.

God is the ultimate judge of our actions and our responsibility. Galatians 6:7 (NIV) Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.

God holds us responsible for our response to the Gospel. John 3:16 - 18 (NIV) 16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life...  18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 

If we choose to believe, God will save us.  If we choose to reject, we stand condemned already.  It is our choice because of our preference.

God gives us choice.  And He holds us responsible for our choices. 

God gives us choice.  And He holds us responsible for our choices.  We will reap what we sow! 

Unfortunately, too many people try to avoid responsibility for their actions.  “My parents made me do it.  My circumstances forced me to do it.  The Devil made me do it!  My anger, my depression, my hunger, etc.  It is everybody else but me!”  But, it was me! 

Despite our shifting the blame, God knows everything and He will judge us accordingly.  In the Garden of Eden, when God confronted Adam about his sin, Adam quickly pointed the finger to Eve and said, “It was the woman you gave me!”  And Eve quickly pointed to the serpent and said, “It was the serpent you made!”  And the serpent had no one else to blame.

We cannot escape God’s judgment, though we may escape men for a while. 

We cannot escape God’s judgment, though we may escape men for a while.  2 Corinthians 5:10 (NIV) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

If we sin, we better genuinely repent before God! Also, until and unless we take proper responsibility, we will never begin to address the problem properly.  Perhaps if we have a smoking or drug addiction, we could blame work, spouse, stress but until we take ownership, we will not address our problems.

On the other hand, there are some things we should not take full responsibility for.  Sometimes we torture ourselves by blaming ourselves for things that we are not really responsible.  For example, when driving your car, your tyre blew up because there was a small sharp object on the road.  Your car swerved uncontrollably and smashed into a pedestrian who became paralysed for life.  Should you blame yourself and feel guilty for the rest of your life?  No. It was not your fault.

We should be willing to take responsibility and know what to take responsibility for.

We should be willing to take responsibility and know what to take responsibility for.

2.  TO WHAT EXTENT WAS LOSS SUFFERED?

• Basic principles to determine loss

What is loss?  Loss is the state or feeling of grief when deprived of someone, or something of value. The Scriptural examples provide for us aspects to consider types of loss a person can suffer.

Exodus 21:18–19 (NIV) 18 “If people quarrel and one person hits another with a stone or with their fist and the victim does not die but is confined to bed, 19 the one who struck the blow will not be held liable if the other can get up and walk around outside with a staff; however, the guilty party must pay the injured person for any loss of time and see that the victim is completely healed.

Loss of productive time or income (v18-19).  The injured person suffers loss because he is not able to work. 

Exodus 21:20 (NIV)  “Anyone who beats their male or female slave with a rod must be punished if the slave dies as a direct result, 21 but they are not to be punished if the slave recovers after a day or two, since the slave is their property.

Loss of life (v20). If someone is killed, then the wrongdoer must face the consequences.  A loss of life affects the family and possibly the broader community. When an army man dies in war for his country, the Australian Government compensation is paid to his wife and family because there is great loss. 

While we can still legitimately claim our ‘right’ for compensation, we can also respond like Jesus in the matter.  When Jesus was crucified, He did not seek compensation.

While we can still legitimately claim our ‘right’ for compensation, we can also respond like Jesus in the matter.  When Jesus was crucified, He did not seek compensation.  Luke 23:34 (NIV) Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

A member from one of our centres tragically lost her parents in a car accident, due to negligent driving from a young girl. She wrote a heartfelt letter to the judge, police and girl responsible to express her forgiving the girl. Many months later the police let the young girl go free without even a fine. 

This may seem unfair, and you are right.   This is an act of grace (unmerited favour).  Was it fair that the Son of God be butchered by his own creation? The answer is clearly no, it is not fair.  Some “rights” are not worth claiming.  We can leave it to the Lord to judge.  Sometimes man’s judgements seem unfair when some seems to get away with it.  We can take comfort in Romans 12:19 (NIV) Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 

We should entrust it to God. He is able to deal with matters with grace, justice and wisdom, far better than we could ever deal with it.

Exodus 21:23-27 (NIV) 22 “If people are fighting and hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely but there is no serious injury, the offender must be fined whatever the woman’s husband demands and the court allows. 23 But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, 24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, 25 burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise. 26 “An owner who hits a male or female slave in the eye and destroys it must let the slave go free to compensate for the eye. 27 And an owner who knocks out the tooth of a male or female slave must let the slave go free to compensate for the tooth.

Loss of function of body (v22-27) When a person loses some body function, whether a limb or other part, it can have devastating effects.  Perhaps they will not be able to perform their work or live life normally.

Exodus 21:33–34 (NIV) 33 “If anyone uncovers a pit or digs one and fails to cover it and an ox or a donkey falls into it, 34 the one who opened the pit must pay the owner for the loss and take the dead animal in exchange.

Loss of resources (v33-34) such as livestock. If someone hits a taxi, not only does he ought to pay for the damage, but also for the loss of income when the taxi is off the road.

• Becoming aware of loss inflicted.

As a community we must take responsibility not just for ourselves but also how our actions affect others.

As a community we must take responsibility not just for ourselves but also how our actions affect others. Especially when it causes loss. Usually, our society is preoccupied with how other people’s actions affect us.  But as Christians let us operate God’s way. Turn the world’s way around.  Be more concerned about how our actions affect other people!  Be more considerate.

If I am mean to others, how will it affect them? If I am negligent, how does that affect people around me? If I am forgetful how does that affect people around me? What if as Christians we go beyond what the law teaches and get to the heartbeat?  Out of genuine love for people? To care for people around us?

3.  TO WHAT EXTENT SHOULD YOU COMPENSATE?

There are some crazy compensations awarded to people today by the courts. In Lancaster, Pasadena, USA, Jeffrey Klein and Brett Birdwell were 17 “when they trespassed onto railroad property and climbed atop a rail car” because they wanted to see the view from there. They were electrocuted by a 12,500-volt wire and apparently severely injured. Their attorney said the railroads (Amtrak and Norfolk Southern) should have posted signs for the benefit of trespassers warning of the overhead hazard and also should have had the electricity turned off at the time.

Did they get anything? They were awarded US$24.2 million. How severe were their injuries? Birdwell, who was awarded $6.8 million, had his injuries miraculously improve enough to join the Army in Afghanistan.

• Basic principles to determine compensation

3 basic principles in determining compensation.  Extent which a person is responsible, the extent of actual loss suffered or will be suffered and the appropriate compensation for the loss.

There are 3 basic principles in determining compensation.  Extent which a person is responsible, the extent of actual loss suffered or will be suffered and the appropriate compensation for the loss.

Exodus 21:35–36 (NIV) 35 “If anyone’s bull injures someone else’s bull and it dies, the two parties are to sell the live one and divide both the money and the dead animal equally. 36 However, if it was known that the bull had the habit of goring, yet the owner did not keep it penned up, the owner must pay, animal for animal, and take the dead animal in exchange.

In v35-36 we see these various elements being put into consideration.  In v35, we find extent of loss: a bull.  Extent of responsibility: the owner of the bull is not charged for negligence for the actions of his bull, yet is held partially responsible.  Extent of compensation?  Sell the live bull and split the money between both parties.

In v36, it makes it clear that if the bull has a known habit of goring, then the owner is held fully responsible for the loss suffered.  Because it is negligence.  So the owner is to pay fully for the loss of an animal.

Exodus 21:29–32 (NIV) 29 If, however, the bull has had the habit of goring and the owner has been warned but has not kept it penned up and it kills a man or woman, the bull is to be stoned and its owner also is to be put to death. 30 However, if payment is demanded, the owner may redeem his life by the payment of whatever is demanded. 31 This law also applies if the bull gores a son or daughter. 32 If the bull gores a male or female slave, the owner must pay thirty shekels of silver to the master of the slave, and the bull is to be stoned to death.

In v29-31, if the owner’s bull kills a person, the owner is punishable by death.  But if payment is acceptable, the owner may redeem his life by making an acceptable payment.

In the case of the slave of v32, we may ask why a price of 30 shekels was set?  The value of 30 shekels is not easy to define.  Some believe it may be worth as much as a year’s wages.  Joseph was sold for 20 shekels (Genesis 37:28).  Jesus was betrayed for a princely sum of 30 silver shekels (Matthew 26:15).   Hence it is likely that the sum was set to 30 shekels, to ensure a slave is not under-valued but in fact to ensure a reasonable minimum for compensation.

Indeed, v26-27 tells us that if an owner inflicts permanent damage upon a slave, such as knocking out a tooth – the slave must be set free.  In v20, if an owner kills a slave, then the owner must face punishment too.  This gives protection and value to the slave.  In the surrounding culture of the time, that would be radical.

• Making up for the loss suffered.

God’s principle is if we cause injury, we must compensate for the loss in some reasonable way.

God’s principle is simply this.  If we cause injury, we must compensate for the loss in some reasonable way. Every person is valuable. If we cause them injury and hamper their ability to function as they should or they go backwards in some way, let us do it God’s way.  Take responsibility to correct the situation as much as we can.

Compensation is not always in monetary terms.  Sometimes it requires a simple yet genuine apology.  Perhaps if we injured some one’s feeling’s, like our wife – bring flowers!? Perhaps it requires giving of our time and energy to correct the situation.

When one of our leaders was shooting a short film about stones, an opal shop owner kindly lent her some valuable opals.  He also explained they were of great personal value to himself.  Despite being careful with the gems, someone stole them from her bag when she was not looking.  Although the police said it was not her fault, she personally had nonetheless decided to compensate the shop owner the full costs. She prayed to the Lord almost all night and got others to pray also because she would have struggled to pay the full compensation. Thank God after much prayer for the conviction of the Holy Spirit and some police work, the thief returned the stones.

Too many people are disconnected from a sense of responsibility today.  By requiring them to be personally involved in the compensation will help them gain a deeper sense of the loss they caused.  Hence, the compensation can also serve as a deterrent to future negligence or intentional harm.  If they vandalise a building, they should do community work, cleaning up graffiti or helping to rebuild buildings.  They are to repair the damage done.

If they drive recklessly, they should do community work such as assisting injured people.  If someone did harm, they have to help bring restoration of some kind.  This is the concept of restorative justice.

Have we brought injury to anyone?  Did we injure them physically, emotionally or mentally?  Did we cause loss to what they owned?  What have we done to compensate for it?  God expects us to do the right thing.  As Christians are we motivated by God’s law to compensate people around us or by Christ to love those around us? Let us operate on the higher law of love.

CONCLUSION

For a community to function properly there must be a well-developed sense of responsibility. Especially when we have cause injury or loss to others. Let us develop a clear sense of the extent of our responsibilities and make compensations appropriate to the extent of loss caused.

Let us be a righteous people that make just compensations.  Let us be loving people and take care not to bring harm to others.

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Copyright©️2025 by Wilson Lim. All rights reserved. Materials are free to be distributed in whole or part as long as proper acknowledgement is given to the author and not sold for profit.