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Why the Church Should Care about Economics…

May 26th, 2008 · 3 Comments

Economics as a discipline has been deemed “a dismal science.” Yet its impact has far reaching affects to our everyday lives. It under girds the determination of domestic and foreign policy, the allocation of resources, and the standard of living for rich and poor alike.  In moments of inflation crisis, such as what is currently happening with the repetitive bursting of financial bubbles and rising gas/food prices, people are becoming more and more curious in understanding the causes and the source of the economic dilemmas we are facing.

The church must be careful in its approach and attitude towards money.  We must take great care in understanding what we truly value and how we make choices for sacrce resources.

A key and relevant scripture selection is found in Jesus’s letter to the church of Laodicea, in the book of Revelation (which we are encouraged to listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches).  Jesus writes, “15 “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! 16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! 17 You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. 18 So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. ” 

Laodicea was on the trade-route from Ephesus to the east and known for large manufacturing, medicinal and banking operations.   

Jesus rebukes the church for its lukewarm attitude.  Their comfort and complacency have replaced the fervor and zeal, which characterized Jesus during his earthly ministry. [Psalms 69:9]  Ironically, one of the pictures of where we see the most passionate demonstrations of the zeal of Christ is in John 2:13-17 where he turns over the tables of the money-changers and sellers, driving them out with a whip telling them, “Get these things out of here. Stop turning my Father’s house into a marketplace!”

Some of that passion is evident in Christ’s letter to the church at Laodicea.  Apparently, from the text we can infer that their wealth has made them complacent and apathetic.  From there perspective, all their self-interests (whether they be wants or needs) were met.  So why did they need Jesus?  Apparently, his presence was only in name, not in power.
One of the key aspects of each of Jesus’s letters to the seven churches are 1) the mixture of the commendations and corrections, and 2) the lack of perspective each church has with what Christ has to say.  Jesus had nothing good to commend at the church in Laodicea.  From Christ’s perspective, they were nauseating! Quote: “you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.”  The church needs to take an urgent warning and introspectively diagnose itself for this condition.  Our riches in this life have the potential of blinding us to the nature of our true spiritual condition and robbing us of the truth wealth found only in Christ. 
 
In response, we are encouraged to engage in a transactional exchange with Christ.  “Buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich.”  From 1 Cor 3:12-15, we are encouraged to work and build on the foundation of Jesus Christ.  In the end, we are promised our work will be tested—judged by fire.  We are encouraged to be rich in good deeds for ”…the fine linen represents the good deeds of God’s holy people.” [Rev 19:8] and to buy ointment to continuously rub on our eyes that we might see.  
 
Is it possible that capitalism has in some way corrupted Christianity and the church in America?
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Tags: I. Introduction

3 responses so far ↓

  • 1 Eldho Kuriakose // May 29, 2008 at 12:48 am

    Economics is often described as “the study of the allocation of scarce resources”. The underlying assumption is that resources are scarce.

    Are resources indeed scarce? We as a race have have more at our disposal and will than at any time in history. Just look at a dumpster outside an average restaurant in the US after dinner time and its pretty clear that we waste more food in one night than some will ever see in their lifetime. So, are resources scarce? NO! What is scarce is empathy, love, contentment, generosity - everything Anthony lists as principles.

    I however, don’t think Capitalism is to be blamed for the scarcity. Capitalism is the one system of economics that does not tyrranize but glorifies ideas - and Ideas are the sinews of the human spirit.

  • 2 Anthony // May 29, 2008 at 1:09 pm

    Eldho, thanks for commenting! I would agree with your perspective on Capitalism if it provided a context for people to operate with fairness, integrity, and respect for the dignity of the less fortunate. Instead, many people (like Lazarus) slip through the cracks. Yet those are the very ones Christ by his words and his deeds comforted through the proclaimation of the good news…

  • 3 Roy // Jul 21, 2008 at 12:03 pm

    I love what Daniel Flynn wrote in his book A CONSERVATIVE HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN LEFT about economics when he said: “Capitalism works for men who do and Socialism works for men who don’t.” That sums up my views exactly. Flynn points out that no communist or socialist system has ever truly worked without some adaptation of captialism involved. A great book well worth reading.

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