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Long and Short Term Theory of Redistribution - Economics for Everlasting Life [Intro + Chapter 1] |
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Intro: [Give your all to the poor, and follow Him.]
Take a look at Matthew 19.
16 Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”
17 “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”
18 “Which ones?” he inquired.
Jesus replied, “‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony,
19 honor your father and mother,’[Exodus 20:12-16] and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’[Deuteronomy 5:16-20]”
20 “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”
21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
Let us take a moment to think about what lies at the core of today’s competition-driven economics, what problems are being overlooked by our economic system, and what can be done to remedy these problems.
I. How should we perceive the poor?
They are a blessing!
Are there those who ask, “why does the poor exist? All they do is make the rest of us miserable!” Are there those who say, “it’s a moral hazard to give to the poor; all they do is take advantage of your kindness!”
These are men that not only prevent their own entry into heaven, but others’ as well. The poor are the ones that leads us to everlasting life. What does our all-mighty Father lack that he would unintentionally leave us with those that are in need? It is to lead us all towards Him. In other words, the poor are a blessing to their neighbors.
Take a look at Deuteronomy chapter 15.
1At the end of every seven years you must cancel debts.
2 This is how it is to be done: Every creditor shall cancel any loan they have made to a fellow Israelite. They shall not require payment from anyone among their own people, because the Lord’s time for canceling debts has been proclaimed.
3 You may require payment from a foreigner, but you must cancel any debt your fellow Israelite owes you.
4 However, there need be no poor people among you, for in the land the Lord your God is giving you to possess as your inheritance, he will richly bless you,
5 if only you fully obey the Lord your God and are careful to follow all these commands I am giving you today.
6 For the Lord your God will bless you as he has promised, and you will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. You will rule over many nations but none will rule over you.
7 If anyone is poor among your fellow Israelites in any of the towns of the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward them.
8 Rather, be openhanded and freely lend them whatever they need.
9 Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought: “The seventh year, the year for canceling debts, is near,” so that you do not show ill will toward the needy among your fellow Israelites and give them nothing. They may then appeal to the Lord against you, and you will be found guilty of sin.
10 Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.
11 There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land.
Everything the young man had, everything Israel had all belongs to God. Therefore, he has the right to tell us to give what is His to the poor.
Let’s say there was a wealthy man who deposited all his savings into a bank and one day told the banker to give all of his savings to the poor. If the banker claimed that the deposit was his and refused to give up the money, what would happen? |
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2018-05-06 16:10:42 |
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