CHRISTIAN CITIZENSHIP ECONOMICS DUAL CITIZENSHIP BEING A GOOD

CHRISTIAN CITIZENSHIP & ECONOMICS

DUAL CITIZENSHIP BEING A GOOD CITIZEN OF BOTH HEAVEN & EARTH

STEWARDSHIP OF CITIZENSHIP

ARE THERE BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES AND COMMANDS THAT SHOULD LEAD CHRISTIANS CITIZENS TO PREFER, PRACTICE AND PURSUE CERTAIN ECONOMIC SYSTEMS OVER OTHERS?

HOW MANY ‘ECONOMIC’ DECISIONS HAVE YOU MADE TODAY ALREADY?

EXCHANGE SPECIALIZATION

EXCHANGE SPECIALIZATION

Economics (/ɛkəˈnɒmɪks, iːkə-/) the social science that studies how people interact with things of value; in particular, the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services.

How many verses in the Bible deal with money and economics?

Are there economic principles found in the Scriptures?

“Regrettably, many American Christians know little about economics. Furthermore, many Christians assume that the Bible has nothing at all to say about economics. But a biblical worldview actually has a great deal to teach us on economic matters. The meaning of work, the value of labor, and other economic issues are all part of the biblical worldview. At the same time we must recognize that the Christian worldview does not demand…a particular economic system. ” by Dr. Albert Mohler, Jr. President, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Axioms of Biblical Economics 1. A Christian economic understanding has God’s glory as its greatest aim. 1 Corinthians 10: 31—"So…whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. ”

Axioms of Biblical Economics 2. A Christian economic understanding respects human dignity. Genesis 1: 27—“So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. ”

Axioms of Biblical Economics 3. A Christian economic understanding respects private property and encourages ownership.

The 10 Commandments #2—Don’t make any graven images. Deut. 5: 7 #4—Observe the Sabbath. “Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. ” Deut. 5: 12 -15 #6—”You shall not murder. ” Deut. 5: 17 #8—"You shall not steal. ” Deut. 5: 19 #10—"You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. You shall not set your desire on your neighbor’s house or land, his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor. ” Deut. 5: 21

Private Property & Ownership Property: Leviticus 25 Debt: Deuteronomy 15

Axioms of Biblical Economics 4. A Christian economic understanding takes into full account the power of the fall and sinful human nature.

Axioms of Biblical Economics 4. A Christian economic understanding takes into full account the power of the fall and sinful human nature. What are the sinful dangers of… • Capitalism • Socialism/Communism

• Prov. 13: 23—“The fallow ground of the poor would yield much food, but it is swept away through injustice. ” • Prov. 19: 17—"Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed. ” • Ruth; Lev. 23: 22—gleaning in the fields • Lev. 25: 37—"You shall not lend him (the poor) your money at interest, nor give him your food for profit. ”

Axioms of Biblical Economics 5. A Christian economic understanding upholds and rewards righteousness.

Deuteronomy 28 1) If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. 2) All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God: 3) You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country. 4) The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land the young of your livestock—the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks. 5)Your basket and your kneading trough will be blessed. 6) You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out.

Axioms of Biblical Economics 6. A Christian economic understanding rewards initiative, industry, work and investment.

WORK • A good and holy thing. Genesis 2: 15—“The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. ”

WORK • Work commanded (for those who can): Ephesians 5: 24— “Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work [initiative], doing something useful with their own hands [industry], that they may have something to share with those in need” [investment].

WORK • Work required for basic needs in life. 2 Thessalonians 3: 10—"For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. ”

WORK • Work is God’s way to find enjoyment in life. Ecclesiastes 2: 24—“There is nothing better for a person that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God…. ”

WORK • Work is God’s way to gain wealth; laziness is our way of destroying it! Ecc. 5: 19—“Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil— this is the gift of God. ” Proverbs 10: 4—“A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. ”

WORK What about INVESTMENT? • Prov. 22: 16—“Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth, or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty. ” • Luke 19—Parable of the Ten Minas • Proverbs 31 woman • I Corinthians 16: 2 • Proverbs 13: 22

WORK • We are to transfer our work habits to our spiritual life. 2 Timothy 2: 15—“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. ”

Axioms of Biblical Economics 7. A Christian economic understanding seeks to reward and incentivize thrift. • Proverbs 21: 20—“Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling, but a foolish man devours it. ”

Axioms of Biblical Economics 8. A Christian economic understanding upholds the family as the most basic economic unit. • 1 st Timothy 5: 8

Axioms of Biblical Economics 9. A Christian economic understanding must respect community.

Axioms of Biblical Economics 10. A Christian economic understanding rewards generosity and proper stewardship.

Proverbs 19: 17—Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done. 2 Corinthians 9: 6 -7—Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously… for God loves a cheerful giver

Axioms of Biblical Economics 11. A Christian economic understanding respects the priority of the church and its mission.

Axioms of Biblical Economics 12. A Christian’s economic perspective is to be grounded in an eternal perspective.

Jeremiah 29— 4 This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. 6 Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. 7 Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper. ”

QUESTIONS? ? ?