This is the fifth sermon in a series of messages focusing on the importance of having a Christian/biblical worldview of life. We are bombarded every day with the philosophies and values of the secular, godless world in which we live. Far too often, Christians have accepted the views and assumptions of the secular world rather than applying biblical truth to every area of life. This sermon addresses the topic of economics. You may view a video recording of the worship service in which this sermon was delivered by clicking here.
1 Corinthians 1:20 (NKJV) Where is the wise? Where is
the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish
the wisdom of this world?
Introduction:
We have been working our way through a series of messages about the importance of having a Christian worldview – a biblical way of looking at life and making important life decisions. I have repeated the assessment that many Christians have assumed that the Christian faith is only about asking God to forgive my sins so that I can go to heaven. However, the Bible is clear that following Christ as His disciple means that we are not only forgiven, but we are endeavoring to think and behave in a way that is consistent with the principles and values of His Word. Logically, that means Christians will have viewpoints, opinions, values and lifestyles that are often contradictory to those commonly held by non-Christians. Sadly, that is not always the case.
There have always been Christians who rejoice that their sins are forgiven, and they have hope of going to heaven, but their viewpoints and opinions about life are not all that different from other people who make no profession of faith. (Having said that, I must honestly admit that there are non-believers who think and act in ways that are consistent with biblical truth, not because they care about what the Bible says, but only because they’ve learned that it works.)
When the Apostle Paul says to the Romans, “Do not be conformed to this world, by be transformed by the renewing of your mind,” he is implying that there is such a “thing” as “worldly thinking,” or a “worldly mindset.” When Paul writes to the Corinthians, “Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?” He is clearly showing that the thoughts and ways of God are contrary to the ways and thoughts of the world.
We have been trying to examine several topics or areas of study in which the biblical viewpoint differs from that which is commonly approved and accepted in the world. Today we are going to continue our discussion by looking at another field of study – the topic of economics.
Economics
In preparing for this message, I thought it might be nice to see what I
could find by looking for some jokes about economics to lighten up our spirits
a little here at the beginning. These are some I found:
·
What do plumbers, garbagemen, and economists all
have in common? They all deal with gross domestic product.
·
Banker - The fellow who lends you his umbrella
when the sun is shining and wants it back the minute it begins to rain. (Mark
Twain)
·
Economist - An expert who will know tomorrow why
the things he predicted yesterday didn't happen today. (https://upjoke.com/economist-jokes)
·
Why was astrology invented? So economics would
seem [more] like an accurate science. (https://www.equities.com/news/a-look-at-some-of-the-best-jokes-about-economists)
·
The same people who laugh at fortune tellers
take economists seriously. (https://www.johns-jokes.com/economic-one-liners)
What is economics anyway?
Miriam-Webster.com - a social
science concerned chiefly with description and analysis of the production,
distribution, and consumption of goods and services.
Ronald Nash – (adds this)
Economics covers a much larger territory. Economics studies the choices human
beings make with regard to scarce [limited?] resources.
Today, I will attempt to name some important biblical principles that may
be applied to the field of economics and, in doing so, will include some of the
errors of a secular/atheistic approach.
Let me begin by sharing a quote from Ronald Nash (former professor of philosophy at Western KY Univ., and later at Reformed Theological Seminary): “I make no effort to deduce a system of economics from the Bible. Such an activity strikes me as muddle-headed as an attempt to deduce a theory of the solar system from the Bible.” (p. 12, Poverty and Wealth)
So, it might be accurate to say that there is no such thing as “Christian Economics.” However, I believe that there are some basic biblical principles that can impact the economies of any nation for good or ill depending on whether they are followed or ignored.
I. The Principle of
Freedom
A number of years ago I preached a sermon with the title, “Liberty is God’s Idea.” In that message I tried to show from Scripture that the very concept of freedom and liberty comes from God Himself. Liberty was woven into the very fabric of creation.
Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the
image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
One of the essential characteristics of the “image of God” is free-will.
2:15-17 15Then the Lord God took the man
and put him in the Garden of Eden to tend and keep it. 16And the
Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may
freely eat; 17but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you
shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”
God spelled out the boundaries and the consequences, but He did not
coerce their obedience. They had the freedom/free-will to make whichever choice
they wanted.
Many economists argue that those nations or societies experiencing the greatest benefit for the greatest number of people are the same ones where people are free to engage as they see fit in the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. Freely means they may do so without coercion or violence from fellow citizens or their government. In economies where the citizens are not free, people are generally poorer, services and goods are harder to obtain, and exchange.
Obviously, I do not have personal knowledge of these general statements
that I have just made. I haven’t examined the economic practices and living
standards of the world’s nations. I have made these statements based on the numerous
examples offered by respected authors who have described the benefits of free
economies over centrally controlled economies. – e.g., Ronald Nash, Poverty & Wealth; Social
Justice and the Christian Church.
II. The Principle of
Property Ownership and Stewardship
Exodus 20:15 Thou shalt not steal.
A. Negative Meaning: Do not take anything that belongs to
another person without his/her consent.
B. Positive Principle: Personal property is sacred.
If it is wrong to take anything that belongs to another person, then it seems obvious that God recognizes and endorses the idea of personal ownership of private property. This may seem like a pretty simple point to make, but it is very basic to an orderly and civilized society.
(Keil & Delitzsch) “Property was not to be violated just as the
sacredness of marriage was not to be violated.”
If the 7th commandment prohibits the taking of another
person’s spouse, then the 8th commandment prohibits the taking of
another person’s property.
What does this have to do with economics? People cannot exchange personal property for goods and services they desire if they are not permitted to own property. Even in societies where limited property ownership is permitted, the limitations necessarily restrict what choices and decisions people can make in order to obtain goods and services or provide goods and services. The principle of ownership is also applicable to economics because if it’s wrong for one person to steal what belongs to another person, then it is wrong for government to steal from one person in order to give it to another person.
The biblical position not only includes the principle of ownership, but
it also promotes the principle of stewardship.
Psalm 24:1 (NKJV)
The earth is the LORD'S, and all its fullness, The world and those who
dwell therein.
Psalm 50:10
(NKJV) For every beast of the forest is Mine, And the cattle
on a thousand hills.
1 Corinthians 4:2
(NKJV) Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.
Those who attempt to live by a biblical worldview and biblical standards of conduct recognize that even though the Bible teaches private ownership of property, yet ultimately, everything belongs to God and I will give an account to Him. The government planners in a centrally controlled economy become the “all-knowing” owners of property to which we must give an account.
III. The Principle of Labor
and Reward
Ephesians 4:28
(NKJV) Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor,
working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give
him who has need.
The implication of this verse is that the purpose for stealing was to gain what he needed/wanted. But rather than stealing property that belongs to another, he should work for the rewards he desires, not simply take them. Not only will the labor provide for the necessities desired, but it will also provide the excess necessary to give away for others in need.
Without the previous principles of freedom and private ownership, this
verse makes no sense.
IV. The Principle of Love
There are all kinds of biblical references about the need for people to care for the less fortunate and to demonstrate love for them. We are admonished to love our neighbor as ourselves.
1 John 3:16-18
(NKJV) 16 By this we know love, because He laid down His life
for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But
whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his
heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? 18 My
little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in
truth.
Economies cannot express love. Governments cannot express love. People express love. If the economy is centrally controlled causing freedoms and property ownership to be limited, then people will have very little if any means to demonstrate love for others.
Conclusion:
A couple of observations:
1. Ronald Nash and others have adequately argued that the abuses of
free enterprise and capitalism that people often point to in order to support
their call for socialist/Marxist economies are not faults of the free
enterprise/capitalistic system, but failures of intervention methods economic
planners have mandated.
2. The classic passage in the Bible that is used to support socialism or “Christian Communism” is Acts 2:44-45 (NKJV) 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.
Two things true about this text that are not true in Socialist/Marxist
economies: 1) It was property they owned. 2) It was willfully sold and divided, not
coerced.
If you have been listening, you can tell that I have presented principles and arguments that favor free market economics rather than government-controlled economics. More thorough arguments and multiple examples of principles at work can be learned through some of the books I’ve studied and would be happy to share information for.
Any fair study of history will reveal that free markets, private ownership, and labor opportunities produce more benefits for the whole society than any other system of economics. These are principles that are firmly rooted in Scripture.
I want to close the service today by singing a hymn that emphasizes the
calling we have from Christ to be different than the world.
Jesus Calls Us
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