The Falsehood of Meritocracy When Judged Biblically

At Sunday service last weekend, as it was first Sunday, we celebrated communion service. As I looked at the table holding the sacraments, I began to think about the table of the Lord and who he included at his table.

One of the most dangerous lies of our modern world is the myth of meritocracy, the belief that success and well-being are solely the result of individual effort, intelligence, and hard work. This idea is preached in many pulpits, classrooms, workplaces and extolled as a rally point by many politicians, but it is nowhere to be found in the gospel of Jesus Christ. In fact, meritocracy is contrary to the very heart of God’s kingdom, a kingdom where the first shall be last and the last shall be first (Matthew 20:16).

Meritocracy is not just a personal or philosophical issue; it has shaped entire societies, often leading to deep inequalities and suffering to generate a better life for the few privileged. From imperial China’s civil service exams to the American Dream’s empty promises, history shows us that when a society places merit over justice and grace, the result is not equality—it is exclusion, division, and disillusionment.

To the detriment not only of those left behind but also to those who ultimately benefited from it. For a point of clarification, we are not discussing here the “chastening of the Lord” or God’s ultimate plan for our lives, it is the false gospel and belief that you must earn everything you get and if you only work hard enough it will be yours. Hard work is paramount and biblical, on this we can assuredly agree. What is not biblical is that it is the only part and parcel of the equation, specifically when the playing field is not equal.

The Invitation to the Table

Jesus tells a parable in Luke 14:16-24 about a great banquet. The host, representing God, prepares a lavish feast and invites many guests, but those who are well-off make excuses not to attend. So, the host sends his servant out to bring in “the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.” When there is still room, he commands that people be gathered from the highways and hedges—those who had no claim to high society, who had no wealth or status, who had done nothing to ‘earn’ a place at the table.

Jesus is showing us that the kingdom of God is not based on merit, wealth, or social standing. It is based on grace. Those who had nothing, those who had been excluded from society’s merit-based systems, were the very ones God chose to welcome in.

This aligns with the message in Isaiah 55:1, where God invites all to partake freely:

“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.”

God’s economy is one of abundance, not scarcity. It is based on grace, not on merit.

The False Doctrine of Meritocracy

Meritocracy tells us that we get what we deserve—good or bad. But scripture repeatedly refutes this. Consider the Book of Job: Job was a righteous man who suffered not because of any wrongdoing, but because of forces beyond his control. His friends insisted that he must have sinned to deserve his suffering, echoing the logic of meritocracy. But God rebuked them, making it clear that human worth cannot be measured by worldly success (Job 42:7-9).

Likewise, Jesus’ disciples once asked Him why a certain man was born blind:

“Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” (John 9:2)

Jesus replied,

“Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” (John 9:3)

Jesus rejected the assumption that suffering is always the result of personal failure. Yet, meritocracy perpetuates this very idea—that the poor, the sick, and the marginalized must have done something wrong to deserve their condition.

The Historical Impact of Meritocracy

Imperial China: The Civil Service Exam System

One of history’s earliest and longest-running examples of meritocracy was China’s imperial civil service exam system, which lasted for over a thousand years. It was designed to provide upward mobility based on intellectual ability rather than birthright. However, in practice, only the wealthy could afford the time, tutors, and resources needed to succeed, does this sound familiar to our current higher education system?

By the late Qing Dynasty, this system had created a ruling class that was disconnected from the common people. Those who could not afford education were locked out of power, while those who passed the exams clung to an elite status. Eventually, this led to widespread unrest, as the system’s rigidity and corruption made it impossible for China to modernize effectively.

This echoes the Pharisees of Jesus’ time—educated, privileged, and blind to the needs of the people. Jesus condemned them, saying:

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.” (Matthew 23:13)

The British Class System and the Industrial Revolution

In 19th-century Britain, the idea of meritocracy gained momentum with the rise of the Industrial Revolution. The belief that hard work and talent could elevate a person’s status seemed more possible than ever. However, as factories grew, so did the exploitation of the working class.

While some individuals managed to rise through the ranks, most remained trapped in cycles of poverty. This mirrors the oppressive economic systems condemned in Amos 5:11-12:

“You levy a straw tax on the poor and impose a tax on their grain. Therefore, though you have built stone mansions, you will not live in them… For I know how many are your offenses and how great your sins. There are those who oppress the innocent and take bribes and deprive the poor of justice in the courts.”

The Irish Struggle for Freedom

For centuries, the Irish lived under British rule, which justified its dominance through a meritocratic lens. British officials claimed that if the Irish were truly capable, they would rise within the imperial system. However, centuries of systemic discrimination kept the Irish impoverished.

During the Great Famine (1845–1852), British authorities largely blamed the Irish for their own suffering, insisting that those who worked hard would survive—even as millions perished due to starvation and forced emigration. During this time, they exported the very food that would have sustained the people to protect their own empire.

This is a stark reminder of Proverbs 22:16:

“Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth, or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.”

The French Revolution: The Revolt Against Privilege

In 18th-century France, the nobility and clergy enjoyed immense privilege while the working class suffered under economic hardship. The monarchy and ruling elite promoted a distorted version of meritocracy, suggesting that those who had wealth must have been divinely favored.

But scripture tells us that power and wealth do not determine a person’s worth:

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32)

When people finally rebelled against this dishonest system, the French Revolution (1789–1799) demonstrated that when meritocracy becomes an excuse for entrenched privilege, the oppressed will rise against it.

The American Dream: The Promise and the Reality

Perhaps the most famous modern myth of meritocracy is the American Dream—the belief that anyone, regardless of background, can achieve success through hard work and determination. While this ideal has inspired many, the reality has often been different.

From the earliest days of the United States, the American Dream was largely reserved for the privileged few. The founding documents proclaimed that “all men are created equal” (Declaration of Independence, 1776), yet those words were written by men who owned enslaved people, excluded women from full participation in society, and maintained a rigid class hierarchy. From its inception, America has operated under the illusion of meritocracy, while systemic barriers have prevented true equality of opportunity.

The Reality for Black Americans

After the Civil War, Reconstruction (1865-1877) briefly provided some opportunities for Black Americans to gain economic and political power. However, the rise of Jim Crow laws quickly re-established racial caste systems, making it nearly impossible for Black citizens to access the same educational and economic opportunities as white Americans.

When Black veterans returned home from World War II, they were systematically denied benefits under the GI Bill (1944), which helped millions of white veterans purchase homes and attend college. Redlining, discriminatory lending practices, and employment segregation ensured that Black Americans were shut out of the post-war economic boom.

The Bible warns against systems that create barriers for the oppressed:

“Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people.”
(Isaiah 10:1-2)

The civil rights movement (1950s-1960s) was, in part, a challenge to the false meritocracy of America. Leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. exposed the hypocrisy of a nation that promised opportunity but delivered oppression. In his speech, Where Do We Go From Here? (1967), Dr. King said:

“It’s all right to tell a man to lift himself by his own bootstraps, but it is a cruel jest to say to a bootless man that he ought to lift himself by his own bootstraps.”

The parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) teaches us that love and justice require intervention. Meritocracy ignores this, leaving the wounded on the side of the road while rewarding only those who already have resources.

The Role of Immigration and Labor Exploitation

The American Dream has also been weaponized against immigrants and migrant workers. The United States has long depended on the labor of immigrants—from the Irish and Chinese railroad workers of the 19th century to today’s agricultural and service workers. While America claims to reward hard work, it often exploits those who do the hardest labor while denying them full participation in society.

“Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner, for you were foreigners in Egypt.”
(Exodus 22:21)

This verse reminds us that God commands justice for immigrants. The false meritocracy of America, however, often treats them as disposable labor rather than human beings deserving dignity.

The Myth of Equal Opportunity in Education and Employment

A college degree is often marketed as the great equalizer in American society. However, the reality is that access to quality education is deeply tied to wealth and race.

• Public school funding is largely based on property taxes, meaning wealthier neighborhoods have better schools, while low-income areas—often communities of color—have underfunded schools.
• Legacy admissions at elite universities favor wealthy, well-connected families.
• Unpaid internships and networking opportunities are often out of reach for working-class students.

This system mirrors the economic injustice condemned in Ecclesiastes 5:8:

“If you see the poor oppressed in a district, and justice and rights denied, do not be surprised at such things.”

Likewise, in employment, the gender pay gap, racial discrimination in hiring, and lack of worker protections continue to challenge the idea that America rewards effort equally. Even with education and skills, marginalized groups often find themselves paid less, promoted less, and struggling to achieve financial stability compared to their white, male, wealthier counterparts.

Wealth Inequality and the Cycle of Poverty

In recent decades, income inequality has skyrocketed. While the top 1% have seen their wealth increase exponentially, working-class wages have stagnated despite increased productivity. The so-called meritocracy tells the poor that they simply aren’t working hard enough, even as corporate profits soar and the cost of living rises.

This injustice is condemned in Proverbs 22:16:

“Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth, or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.”

Meritocracy blames individuals for systemic problems instead of addressing the root causes of inequality. It teaches people that their struggles are personal failures rather than the result of deliberate policies that concentrate wealth at the top.

The Prosperity Gospel and the Church’s Complicity

Many churches in America have embraced meritocracy through the prosperity gospel, which falsely teaches that financial success is a sign of God’s favor and poverty is a result of lack of faith or effort.

Yet, Jesus warned against this thinking:

“You cannot serve both God and money.” (Matthew 6:24)
“It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” (Mark 10:25)

Jesus did not say the wealthy were blessed because of their effort. In fact, he challenged the rich to give up their wealth and live in service to others (Luke 18:22).

The early church understood this. In Acts 2:44-45, believers shared everything in common, ensuring that no one was in need. This is a direct rejection of meritocracy in favor of radical community and grace. The very soul of this ‘gospel’ turns our relationship with the Lord into a transactional one which in essence makes him akin to a sugar daddy.

A New Vision for the Church- Getting back to our true calling and roots

Jesus’ invitation is clear:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

Instead of upholding the myth that people get what they deserve, let us proclaim the truth that in Christ, all are welcome. Instead of promoting the idea that only the strong survive, let us live out the gospel that says the weak will be lifted up. It is our role to share, help those in need, ensure the playing field is a level one and we are all able to fulfill the calling placed on our lives.

At the table of Jesus, there are no resumes, no entry requirements, no wealth tests. There is only the grace of God, freely given.

Let us be a church that extends that invitation, again and again, until all have found their seat.