Bible Economics through the Ages
The Bible has many thoughts on how to deal with money, and there are also many aspects of economics in ancient times that differ from currently, as well as many striking similarities. With the help of Money Mysteries from the Master by Gary Keesee, my own insight, and some timely passages from the Bible itself, we can explore this complicated relationship in detail.
Early economics
Throughout the bible there are many examples of the economics of the time. Let's begin at the beginning: Adam and Eve.
Here we see the whole earth was created by God the Father and in the middle of the earth he laid out a garden ready for his new child (Creation) that he named ‘Adama' or ‘Earth'. Man (when I say man in the context, I mean both man and woman) was created from the materials of this earth, Adama.
“You are made up of 84 minerals, 23 elements and 8 gallons of water divided by 38 billion cells. You are not only living on earth... you ARE the earth!” Hence the name Adam.
God the Father set a purpose-built garden for his new son and soon-to-be daughter: together they would have the whole earth for themselves. He made a garden of provision where both Adam and Eve would have their sleep, rest, play time, exploring time and food time. Everything needed was in the garden and nothing was missing. The earth was new, vibrant and full of good natural energy. Adam and Eve were taken care of by their Father.
What a wonderful time that would be. Can you remember not having to fend for yourself where mum and dad would provide everything? Life was so much easier when life was paid for by someone else, don't you think so? So, what happened when Adam and Eve took the forbidden fruit? Well, quite a lot of course! Some of it I retell in my book The Death of Levi, but for now, let me keep it short and simple.
Man went from being looked after by God to fending for himself with added pain and toll. Here is how God put it:
“Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground…” (Genesis 3:17-19)
Gary Keesee has this to say about the new life of economics:
“Because of this earth curse, everyone is tired of running after provision. We are all tired of sweating and labouring with painful toil for money.
We all want out. That is what the lure of the lottery is all about. People are dreaming of finally having more than enough so they can stop running and being a slave to producing provision. That is why the show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire is so popular. It's why gambling appeals to people—it's money with no labour attached.”
(Excerpt from Money Mysteries from the Master - Gary Keesee)
Ancient Economics
With the discovery of wheat (probably first discovered in what is now the country of Georgia) along with the ability to build store houses, communities could start to settle into areas of static communities instead nomadic ones. Such a place was Sumer, which is current day Iraq.
Ancient history tells us Sumerians had a complex system of economics where the middle class had the knowledge and the upper class had the wealth to do what they desired. The Bible tells us about the tower of Babel with its ruler being Nimrod. This complex country between two rivers in the land of Ur grew to have one ruler with the economy as a pyramid system with the lower paid and slaves being at the bottom and the wealthy leaders at the top with most of the wealth being driven to one man – the King.
With an unusual (for its time) knowledge of irrigation systems, building design and architecture and knowledge of the seasons, this kingdom built itself on the flood plans of the Euphrates and Tigris rivers. These flood plains enabled the kingdom to feed itself and also trade with other nations. Their wealth lay in their knowledge, which enabled them to become the very first major economic superpower.
This wealth system is still with us today and more than half live below the poverty line.
The economy of the first Christians
This pyramid system of economics, which we still use today means the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. The early Christians set up a new system, where all who were Christians brought their wealth to the community. This wealth was then evenly distributed throughout the people who served one another.
“Nor was there a destitute or needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses proceeded to sell them, and one by one they brought (gave back) the amount received from the sales.” - Acts 4:34
Here we see a total commitment to the work of Jesus Christ through the Apostles, which is probably the perfect form of community wealth. This obviously has not lasted through the generations and still the pyramid, where the King gets all the wealth prevails.
“The richest 1% grabbed nearly two-thirds of all new wealth worth $42 trillion created since 2020, almost twice as much money as the bottom 99% of the world's population, reveals a new Oxfam report today. During the past decade, the richest 1% had captured around half of all new wealth.” - Quoted from Oxfam 16th January 2023
Some key biblical ideas on money:
Despite this disparity of wealth, Christians today aim to seek the wellness of others by their actions. The Bible addresses many financial and economic concepts, offering principles on wealth, generosity, debt, and stewardship.
Stewardship
Principle: The Bible emphasises that everything belongs to God, and people are stewards of what they have been given. Believers are encouraged to manage resources responsibly, as they are entrusted by God.
Verses: “The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it.” (Psalms 24:1); “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.'” (Matthew 25:21)
Generosity and Giving
Principle: The Bible places a high value on generosity, calling believers to give to those in need. This includes giving tithes and offerings, as well as alms for the poor.
Verses: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35); “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7)
Contentment
Principle: The Bible encourages contentment over the endless pursuit of wealth, warning that the love of money can lead to problems. It advocates for finding satisfaction in God rather than material riches.
Verses: “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have.” (Hebrews 13:5); “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” (1 Timothy 6:6-10)
Avoiding Debt
Principle: While debt isn't always forbidden, the Bible warns against excessive borrowing and being a slave to debt. It stresses the importance of being responsible and, when possible, freeing oneself from debt.
Verses: “The borrower is the slave of the lender.” (Proverbs 22:7); “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another.” (Romans 13:8)
Honesty in Business and Work
Principle: Integrity in work and business is a recurring theme in the Bible. Fairness, hard work, and honesty are encouraged, as believers are seen as representatives of God's kingdom in the marketplace.
Verses: “A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is his delight.” (Proverbs 11:1); “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” (Colossians 3:23)
Planning and Saving
Principle: The Bible advises prudent planning and saving. It values wise preparation for the future without promoting hoarding or placing ultimate security in wealth.
Verses: “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance.” (Proverbs 21:5); “Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise.” (Proverbs 6:6-8)
Wealth and the Danger of Greed
Principle: Wealth in itself is not condemned, but greed is strongly warned against. Money should serve a purpose and not become an idol.
Verses: “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” (1 Timothy 6:10); “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.” (Matthew 6:19-20)
Helping the Poor and Vulnerable
Principle: There is a strong emphasis on caring for the marginalised. Believers are encouraged to show compassion and generosity toward the poor and vulnerable as an expression of God's love.
Verses: “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord.” (Proverbs 19:17); “If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?” (1 John 3:17)
These actions do not stop the wealth distribution difference but they keep the individual right with God and right with money.
A new Kingdom: Economics
I'll leave you with this thought; an excerpt taken from Gary Keesee.
“The Sabbath was a picture of what God had first created for man where God himself had provided everything that man needed or ever would need, a place of more than enough. He had intended for people to live in that place of rest with Him forever. But Adam lost the rest of the seventh day because he lost the provision of the sixth day, the completed creation of God. But God had a plan to bring mankind back into that place of provision and rest, and it was illustrated by the Sabbath day.
Colossians 2:16-17 tells us that the Sabbath day was a shadow of what God was going to someday restore back to people through Jesus Christ. When Jesus said on the cross, “It is finished,” He was stating the same words that God had spoken back in Genesis when the earth was completed and everything was in place for humanity. Jesus paid the price for us to be redeemed back into God's family with all the benefits of being sons and daughters of God. We now have access to a new Kingdom, a Kingdom full of provision which enables us to live above the earth-cursed system of lack and defeat, a kingdom of more than enough.”
(Excerpt from Money Mysteries from the Master by Gary Keesee)