OUR GOAL IS TO GAIN GREATER INSIGHT INTO ALL THE BIBLE
One part of Biblical wisdom is often misquoted and twisted by the secular world is regarding economic issues and prosperity. Sometimes they misapply the Bible to help support socialism(communism). God's vast wisdom applies to everything including economic issues. Faith is trusting in God's ways which cannot be wrong. An example of misapplying the Bible is revealed in the story of Ananias.
Acts 5:1-4 NKJV 1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. 2 And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles' feet. 3 But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? 4 "While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God."
Some have tried to assert that all the brethren living together was like a socialist commune and supports government redistribution of income. They confuse charity with government confiscation. Actually the Bible supports realistic methods to achieve prosperity not Utopian extremes. Further the Bible supports ownership of private property, willingness to take risk for profits and respect for the property rights of others. It teaches us to be diligent and thrifty. We will next look at the number one Biblical program for prosperity.
ISRAEL'S STRUCTURAL PROSPERITY MAINTAINED BY JUBILEE YEAR
Agricultural land was the source of prosperity during most of mankind's history. God arranged it that each family could not permanently loose their land. No matter how bad a business person, they were or the enormity of their debts they got their land returned every fifty years.
Leviticus 25:9-11 NKJV 9 'Then you shall cause the trumpet of the Jubilee to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month; on the Day of Atonement you shall make the trumpet to sound throughout all your land. 10 'And you shall consecrate the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a Jubilee for you; and each of you shall return to his possession, and each of you shall return to his family. 11 'That fiftieth year shall be a Jubilee to you;
Everyone got freedom. Most of the world for most of its history has had overlords who owned vast stretches of land with peasants who toiled in poverty. Israel would be the exception to the extant they followed these wonderful laws given by a loving God. They could avoid having any poverty. All personal debts were canceled every seventh year .
Deuteronomy 15:1-4 BBE 1 At the end of every seven years there is to be a general forgiveness of debt. 2 This is how it is to be done: every creditor is to give up his right to whatever he has let his neighbour have; he is not to make his neighbour, his countryman, give it back; because a general forgiveness has been ordered by the Lord.... if your brother has anything of yours, let it go; 4 But there will be no poor among you; for the Lord will certainly give you his blessing in the land which the Lord your God is giving you for your heritage;
If they had obeyed, little or no poverty would have existed. God knew that they would not always obey so some poverty would exist. So he ordered charity.
Deuteronomy 15:11 The poor will always be in the land. So I tell you to be free in giving to your brother, to those in need, and to the poor in your land.
Christian charity has had an enormously positive effect on the world. Further, God would bless the nation for obedience to his moral and other laws. America historically, has been the most Biblical oriented nation in the world and the most charitable. It should not be surprising that America is the most blessed nation materially. That may be in the process of changing which will mean a withdrawal of material blessings in our future.
Deuteronomy 15:6 BBE 6 For the Lord your God will give you his blessing as he has said: you will let other nations have the use of your money, but you will not make use of theirs; you will be rulers over a number of nations, but they will not be your rulers.
God would bless his people for obeying his economic and charitable laws. They also had an automatic blessing like all laws apart from divine intervention.
Deuteronomy 15:18 BBE 18 Let it not seem hard to you that you have to send him away free; for he has been working for you for six years, which is twice the regular time for a servant: and the blessing of the Lord your God will be on you in everything you do.
Willing workers with the hope of freedom soon will be more productive,obviously. The government was to protect private property.
Deuteronomy 19:14 BBE 14 Your neighbour's landmark, which was put in its place by the men of old times, is not to be moved or taken away in the land of your heritage which the Lord your God is giving you.
Redistribution of income as the communists used it, to justify stealing the land and other possessions of peasants in Europe, violated the commandment with regard to stealing.
BIBLE TEACHING ON HIGH PERSONAL MORAL ECONOMIC CONDUCT
Note the description of the wife of noble character. She is quite the entrepreneur.
Proverbs 31:17-20 BBE 17 She puts a band of strength round her, and makes her arms strong. 18 She sees that her marketing is of profit to her: her light does not go out by night. 19 She puts her hands to the cloth-working rod, and her fingers take the wheel. 20 Her hands are stretched out to the poor; yes, she is open-handed to those who are in need.
God's people were commanded to guard the private property of others not to try and confiscate it using big government.
Deuteronomy 22:1-4 BBE 1 If you see your brother's ox or his sheep wandering, do not go by without helping, but take them back to your brother. 2 If their owner is not near, or if you are not certain who he is, then take the beast to your house and keep it till its owner comes in search of it, and then you are to give it back to him. 3 ...: do not keep it to yourself. 4 If you see your brother's ox or his ass falling down on the road, do not go by without giving him help in lifting it up again.
Needless to say this makes any such society more prosperous. People protecting each others private property is a wonderful law. Further they were not to charge interest to the poor if they loaned them money. Note Deut. 23:19. Today we have payday loans and car title loan companies that exacerbate the plight of our needy. People were told to pay their workers promptly and fairly Deut. 24:14.
PAYING ABLE BODY WORKERS TO NOT WORK IS IMMORAL
President Johnson war on poverty in the 1960s actually did a lot more harm than good. It created a large number of people in the inner cities who were dependent on government. It locked them into a certain level of poverty and decadence. This is what happened to the vast Roman Empire. Government handouts ruined the people of inner city Rome. They became known as the rabble of Rome. Rome had to rely on non- Romans to fill the ranks of their legions. Dealing with mercenaries is dangerous and it contributed to the famous fall of Rome. Note the Apostle Paul's warning.
2 Thessalonians 3:10-11 BBE 10 For even when we were with you we gave you orders, saying, If any man does no work, let him not have food. 11 For it has come to our ears that there are some among you whose behavior is uncontrolled, who do no work at all, but are over-interested in the business of others.
This sounds cruel of Paul but he deeply realizes that not working is morally bankrupting those individuals. Paul deeply understands God's ways.
2 Thessalonians 3:12-14 BBE 12 Now to such we give orders and make request in the Lord Jesus, that, working quietly, they get their living. 13 And you, my brothers, do not get tired of well-doing. 14 And if any man does not give attention to what we have said in this letter, take note of that man, and keep away from him, so that he may be shamed.
Paul out of love wishes to pressure people to stop free loading off others. Our present government has now given away excessive kovid welfare and it is encouraging some to drop out of the labor force. This is causing labor shortages and contributing to supply chain disruptions. All this is hurting our economy badly. God's ways work! Mans' ways do not work. More decadence is coming.
