Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing ( James 1:2-4).
My grandson, Alex, is already training for the track season. Every athlete can relate a saying or anecdote that his/her coach is fond of using. Alex told us a saying that his track coach uses: "Pain is weakness leaving the body." I think it is a good saying for athletes because it takes a lot of pain to prepare for competition.
It is also true for us who are competing for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Pain helps us to become toughened for the battle as we serve Him.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Monday, December 30, 2013
Thursday, December 12, 2013
THE ECONOMICS OF CHRIST 4
I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of equality your abundance at the present time should supply their want, so that their abundance may supply your want, that there may be equality. As it is written, "He who gathered much had nothing over, and he who gathered little had no lack" (2 Corinthians 8:13-15).
The wealth of a nation, more than any other factor, is the character of its people.
The attitudes and values of a person or nation are more indicative of personal or national success than any other factor. When Paul wrote to the Corinthians, his purpose was the collection of a free-will offering to aid the extremely impoverished Christian brothers and sisters in Jerusalem--he was not advocating taxation to fund a government program. But Paul was engaged in character building when he said that there must be an economic balance in the kingdom of God. He told the Corinthians to remember the example of Jesus Christ, who, though he was rich, became poor so that by his poverty they could become rich (8:8-9). Having the character of Christ is true wealth.
As servant/slaves of Christ, all of the income or wealth we create belongs to the master. He is the one who has ownership of it, but, His servants have stewardship of it, using it according to the Master's will. Is it the Master's will to economically support those who are in legitimate need? Yes. Is it the Master's will to provide economic support to those who think they are entitled to it whether they work or not? No. The Old Testament reference to which 2 Corinthians 8:15 refers is Exodus 16:18. It is about gathering manna, the food God sent the Israelites from heaven. Some were physically able to gather more than others, but to each it was just enough. Though it was free food, it still had to be gathered, and each who gathered had enough. Though the manna from heaven was a gracious gift, it still had to be gathered.
In the economy of Christ there is balance. Christians have a responsibility to each other. The Old Testament shows us that there is economic balance under the Law. How much more so should there be balance in the New Covenant economy. In my view, the church must be more involved in the lives of its people, developing Christian structures for health care and financial management because the old structures are breaking down.
The true wealth of a nation is the character of its people who freely serve from their hearts, not because of any kind of compulsion other than the love of Christ.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
The wealth of a nation, more than any other factor, is the character of its people.
The attitudes and values of a person or nation are more indicative of personal or national success than any other factor. When Paul wrote to the Corinthians, his purpose was the collection of a free-will offering to aid the extremely impoverished Christian brothers and sisters in Jerusalem--he was not advocating taxation to fund a government program. But Paul was engaged in character building when he said that there must be an economic balance in the kingdom of God. He told the Corinthians to remember the example of Jesus Christ, who, though he was rich, became poor so that by his poverty they could become rich (8:8-9). Having the character of Christ is true wealth.
As servant/slaves of Christ, all of the income or wealth we create belongs to the master. He is the one who has ownership of it, but, His servants have stewardship of it, using it according to the Master's will. Is it the Master's will to economically support those who are in legitimate need? Yes. Is it the Master's will to provide economic support to those who think they are entitled to it whether they work or not? No. The Old Testament reference to which 2 Corinthians 8:15 refers is Exodus 16:18. It is about gathering manna, the food God sent the Israelites from heaven. Some were physically able to gather more than others, but to each it was just enough. Though it was free food, it still had to be gathered, and each who gathered had enough. Though the manna from heaven was a gracious gift, it still had to be gathered.
In the economy of Christ there is balance. Christians have a responsibility to each other. The Old Testament shows us that there is economic balance under the Law. How much more so should there be balance in the New Covenant economy. In my view, the church must be more involved in the lives of its people, developing Christian structures for health care and financial management because the old structures are breaking down.
The true wealth of a nation is the character of its people who freely serve from their hearts, not because of any kind of compulsion other than the love of Christ.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Sunday, December 08, 2013
THE ECONOMICS OF CHRIST 3
For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: If any one will not work, let him not eat. For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work (2 Thessalonians 3:10-11).
I was surprised to learn that verse 10 has been a favorite of marxist/socialist proponents--it even appeared in the Soviet constitution. One of the inherent problems with socialism is that there are a lot of slackers and freeloaders that contribute nothing and are a drag on the economy. In cases of old-age and disability there has to be some allowances made, otherwise everyone has to contribute equally to receive equally. It sounds good in theory, but in socialist/marxist economies some are more equal than others. Party elites and cronies make out like royalty while common folks work and are deprived. Socialism and marxism sound good in theory, but the reality is quite different.
The Bible does not endorse one form of earthly government. It may be that the church in Thessalonica, like the one in Jerusalem, formed a more socialistic relationship because the return of the Lord Jesus would be soon--it was a temporary relationship. But as in all socialistic relationships there were the lazy idlers and slackers and that is why Paul said what he said. The problem with earthly socialistic governments is that they do not follow God's word and they give to those who refuse to work while taking from honest workers and achievers. Socialistic experiments in Jerusalem and Thessalonica were voluntary, they were not forced on the members of the church.
I had always assumed that verse 10 was only used by people who favored a market economy. In a market economy people are free to work as much or as little as they want, but there is always the understanding that the one who works little will receive less than those who work more. When one experiences the natural consequences of eating less, one will, most likely will be spurred on to work more. I'm being cynical here, but they will work hard at forming a political party to get the money out of your pocketbook and into their hands.
What is true here is that able bodied people who can work must not be enabled to not work by giving to them inappropriately--it's a sin. Natural consequences are important teachers if one will be taught.
It is interesting to me that both liberals and conservatives claim verse 10.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
I was surprised to learn that verse 10 has been a favorite of marxist/socialist proponents--it even appeared in the Soviet constitution. One of the inherent problems with socialism is that there are a lot of slackers and freeloaders that contribute nothing and are a drag on the economy. In cases of old-age and disability there has to be some allowances made, otherwise everyone has to contribute equally to receive equally. It sounds good in theory, but in socialist/marxist economies some are more equal than others. Party elites and cronies make out like royalty while common folks work and are deprived. Socialism and marxism sound good in theory, but the reality is quite different.
The Bible does not endorse one form of earthly government. It may be that the church in Thessalonica, like the one in Jerusalem, formed a more socialistic relationship because the return of the Lord Jesus would be soon--it was a temporary relationship. But as in all socialistic relationships there were the lazy idlers and slackers and that is why Paul said what he said. The problem with earthly socialistic governments is that they do not follow God's word and they give to those who refuse to work while taking from honest workers and achievers. Socialistic experiments in Jerusalem and Thessalonica were voluntary, they were not forced on the members of the church.
I had always assumed that verse 10 was only used by people who favored a market economy. In a market economy people are free to work as much or as little as they want, but there is always the understanding that the one who works little will receive less than those who work more. When one experiences the natural consequences of eating less, one will, most likely will be spurred on to work more. I'm being cynical here, but they will work hard at forming a political party to get the money out of your pocketbook and into their hands.
What is true here is that able bodied people who can work must not be enabled to not work by giving to them inappropriately--it's a sin. Natural consequences are important teachers if one will be taught.
It is interesting to me that both liberals and conservatives claim verse 10.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Thursday, December 05, 2013
THE ECONOMICS OF CHRIST, part 2
Not that I complain of want; for I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content. I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound; in any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and want. I can do all things in him who strengthens me (Philippians 4:11-13).
Helen and I started farming during the farm crisis of the 1980's. Many were leaving the farm, we were just beginning. When we were going over the rental agreement with my parents, the lawyer told us that we would be living on "bread and water" for quite a while, and that we did. During that time I remember reading Paul's words here and thinking, "Ya, but he didn't have a wife and three children to support." By the Lord's providence we made it through the farm crisis, though I can't say yet that I have the faith of Paul and can be content in all circumstances.
One thing to be noted here is that Paul, like Jesus, does not contend for a political/economic system to deal with the needs of people, rather, contentedness comes from putting first things first and second things will follow. Discontent comes primarily from a lack of faith that God will provide for his children the things which they need. Beyond that, discontent comes, not because there is a lack of necessities, but a lack of personal desires, vanities, as I call them.
One of the mistakes a discontented person makes is to assume that one's present situation is the last word on a person's future. It is not! The wealth of the world is God's, he owns "the cattle on a thousand hills," so in his providence he makes provision for his children in many different ways. Stop and think for a moment, "How is it that you are where you are?" What part does God have in that?
One of the foundation stones to the economics of Christ is not a certain political or economic system, though Satanic ones can certainly bring general poverty, but focusing first on Christ and his kingdom and, as a result, our existential needs will follow in abundance.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Helen and I started farming during the farm crisis of the 1980's. Many were leaving the farm, we were just beginning. When we were going over the rental agreement with my parents, the lawyer told us that we would be living on "bread and water" for quite a while, and that we did. During that time I remember reading Paul's words here and thinking, "Ya, but he didn't have a wife and three children to support." By the Lord's providence we made it through the farm crisis, though I can't say yet that I have the faith of Paul and can be content in all circumstances.
One thing to be noted here is that Paul, like Jesus, does not contend for a political/economic system to deal with the needs of people, rather, contentedness comes from putting first things first and second things will follow. Discontent comes primarily from a lack of faith that God will provide for his children the things which they need. Beyond that, discontent comes, not because there is a lack of necessities, but a lack of personal desires, vanities, as I call them.
One of the mistakes a discontented person makes is to assume that one's present situation is the last word on a person's future. It is not! The wealth of the world is God's, he owns "the cattle on a thousand hills," so in his providence he makes provision for his children in many different ways. Stop and think for a moment, "How is it that you are where you are?" What part does God have in that?
One of the foundation stones to the economics of Christ is not a certain political or economic system, though Satanic ones can certainly bring general poverty, but focusing first on Christ and his kingdom and, as a result, our existential needs will follow in abundance.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Wednesday, December 04, 2013
THE ECONOMICS OF CHRIST
One of the multitude said to him, "Teacher, bid my brother divide the inheritance with me." But he said to him, "Man, who made me judge or divider over you?" And he said to them, "Take heed and beware of all covetousness; for a man's life doesnot consist in the abundance of his possessions." (Luke 12:13-15).
I have been doing some reading about economics lately. As a pastor/counselor it has motivated me to think about how Christ and Christianity fit into today's world. It is important to think about because, though the American economy maybe nearly last in the race to the bottom, it is still headed for the bottom. So what should be our concerns and our responsibility right now?
My "Silver Bullets" have never been thoroughly refined, but are, rather, thoughts that have come to me as a result of reading, study and conversation with others. There might be some gapping holes in my reasoning, but putting my thoughts into writing helps me to think things through.
In the time of his flesh Jesus was among people who were taxed to death, paying taxes to the Romans, to the "Herods", client kings of the Romans and paying the temple tax for the building and maintaining the temple. Though there were wealthy people, most were poor. If a day's labor was missed, a day's eating, if not missed, was very slim. In this kind of poverty, the teaching of Jesus did not champion a particular kind of economic system or political system, though I do believe Adam Smith's "invisible hand" connects with Christian teaching far more than socialism or marxism.
What we know about Christ and economics from this text is that Jesus was not a materialist. If we reduce life to materialism then life becomes meaningless and without value. It is important to note that the economic systems that do this are inherent killers. In the 20th century, socialist/marxist/facist governments destroyed way over one hundred million of their own people. Life consists in putting first things first and then an abundance of good second things will follow.
Until next time, read Luke 12:16-21.
Love & Prayers,
Tom
I have been doing some reading about economics lately. As a pastor/counselor it has motivated me to think about how Christ and Christianity fit into today's world. It is important to think about because, though the American economy maybe nearly last in the race to the bottom, it is still headed for the bottom. So what should be our concerns and our responsibility right now?
My "Silver Bullets" have never been thoroughly refined, but are, rather, thoughts that have come to me as a result of reading, study and conversation with others. There might be some gapping holes in my reasoning, but putting my thoughts into writing helps me to think things through.
In the time of his flesh Jesus was among people who were taxed to death, paying taxes to the Romans, to the "Herods", client kings of the Romans and paying the temple tax for the building and maintaining the temple. Though there were wealthy people, most were poor. If a day's labor was missed, a day's eating, if not missed, was very slim. In this kind of poverty, the teaching of Jesus did not champion a particular kind of economic system or political system, though I do believe Adam Smith's "invisible hand" connects with Christian teaching far more than socialism or marxism.
What we know about Christ and economics from this text is that Jesus was not a materialist. If we reduce life to materialism then life becomes meaningless and without value. It is important to note that the economic systems that do this are inherent killers. In the 20th century, socialist/marxist/facist governments destroyed way over one hundred million of their own people. Life consists in putting first things first and then an abundance of good second things will follow.
Until next time, read Luke 12:16-21.
Love & Prayers,
Tom
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