God’s Politics, Part One: Economics

Many of you have written to ask me to be more specific in addressing the current political issues from a biblical point of view. It was always my intention to do so and today’s entry seeks to begin that endeavor. However, I must preface my thoughts by saying that I do NOT believe that I speak for God. I humbly acknowledge that I am a very imperfect human being who is still learning and growing. Having said that, I do want to share my perspective.

I begin with economics. It has been the major theme dominating the current campaign. With the economy on the brink of recession, it seems that capitalism itself is on trial. Does the bible have anything to say about it? Does it endorse any specific economic system? What about the government’s role in helping the poor?

The description of life in the first century church found in the book of Acts is of a community who “had everything in common” and “gave to anyone as he had need.” It is a beautiful picture of the body of Christ functioning rightly. Acts 4:32-35 says,

“All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had…There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.”

This passage is often used to support the Marxist idea of wealth redistribution. It is argued that the early church provides the most appropriate model for the Christian understanding of economic justice.

There are several flaws in this line of reasoning. First, the economic realities of the early church were quite different than twenty-first century America. They did not enjoy political and economic freedom as we do. These were Jews living under the harsh rule of the Romans. Most were not Roman citizens and as such did not enjoy equal political status nor did they enjoy equal economic opportunities. Additionally, these “Christian” Jews were under severe persecution by the Jewish authorities. Sharing, for them, was a matter of survival.

Second, the Acts 4 model describes a voluntary community sharing with one another out of their own goodwill and generosity. This was not the result of coercion or imposition by an authority. Their love for Christ and for one another compelled them to give. They did so not by sending everything they had to Rome so that the government could decide who needed it the most, but rather by judging for themselves how best to help one another. This is a mandate the church must never neglect.

Finally, this was not the permanent condition of the Christian community. As the church grew and survived early persecution, it rapidly moved away from this model. Later in Acts, the Apostle Paul mentions his own trade as a tentmaker. He specifically refers in multiple passages to both the Corinthian and Thessalonian churches that he worked night and day so that he would not be a financial burden to them. In II Thessalonians 3:7-9, Paul says,

“For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow.”

Paul here, endorsed the idea that individuals have the right to be compensated for providing goods and services. He also acknowledged his own responsibility to pay for the provision of his own needs. Clearly, the church had moved beyond the communal arrangement they had initially embraced.

It’s 1:30am. I’m going to bed. More to follow…