Rent God's Economy

Synopsis

God's Economy is a radical approach to economics based on the good news of the Kingdom of God. Everything on earth belongs to God, so all our economic activity is part of his economy, whether we acknowledge him or not. God's economy is a good economy. Since we have his ethical standards, we can describe how a good economy would function. What will produce the most wealth is not relevant. What matters for a follower of Jesus is obeying him. We want an economy that is right and good in his eyes, even if it does not function as well as other systems. It is better to be good before God than to be prosperous or wealthy. Modern economics is purely pragmatic, focusing on what will work. This book sees economic issues as ethical questions: what should be done, not what will work. Our question about every economic policy should be this: Is it morally right? Does it comply with God's word? Is it good? A good economic policy is one that complies with God's ethical standards. The irony is that the right economic policies may not achieve the goals that many politician's desire: fast economic growth or equal income distribution. However, Christians should always be advocates for the right policies, not effective policies. This book describes the Instructions for Economic Life that God gave through Moses. Jesus confirmed this guidance and adapted it for people who are loving one another in a Kingdom Community. Applying the Instructions for Economic Life will completely transform our economic behaviour and business activity. Topics include: • Unrighteous wealth • Giving and sharing • True wealth • Equality • Generous buying and selling • Sharing land • Debt • Transforming business activities • Savings and investment • Money • Problems with modern banking • Better money • Better financial institutions. Three Word Version Good economics can be expressed in three words (two in Hebrew). "Do not steal" (Ex 20:15). This is one of two universal laws that God gave through Moses. It is God's most important standard for economic behaviour. If an economic policy or practice involves stealing it is wrong. When investigating an economic problem, I ignore the symptoms and dig down to find the place where theft has occurred. This approach usually exposes the cause of economic problems, as they are mostly the result of a theft of some kind. Most of the economic teaching in the Old Testament is an application of the command prohibiting theft. Jesus' teaching about economic activity affirmed this principle. He described money that had been stolen as unrighteous wealth. Five Word Version God's economics can also be expressed in five words. "Love your neighbour as yourself" (Lev 19:18). The command was originally given by Moses as part of his instructions to the children of Israel. Jesus used this command as the heart of his teaching about economics. He said this is the second-greatest command, after loving God. "Love your neighbour as yourself" (Luke 10:27). James repeated the same command in his letter. The five-word version turns the three-word version positive. If we love people, we will not be able to steal from them. Love can guide all economic actions in the community in which we live. Jesus expanded the definition of our neighbour to include everyone whom we have contact with during everyday life. This means that our neighbour is not just those we like, or those living close by. Our neighbour is everyone we encounter while engaged in economic activity.

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