The Perfect Economic System

In Acts chapter four verse 32 the Bible records:

“And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.”

Surely this is Biblical evidence of a perfect economic system right? This verse is evidence to show that capitalism is wrong and it must be replaced by communism right?

Two things must be taken into account to answer these questions. That which was believed was the resurrection of the dead and salvation by Jesus Christ, and, those that believed held private property which, having been inspired by God, freely shared. The state did not mandate this practice of holding all things common, it was done freely.

It is when communism is forced that it must be opposed. It must be opposed because when it is declared among those holding private property that their belongings now belong to all, it is simply property theft. The Bible says, “Thou shalt not steal.” It also says in Proverbs 29:24 says “Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul…”

But why does it matter? It matters because if you don’t really own something, you can’t really give something. You can not be loving with your material things if such things don’t even belong to you. You have to express love in another way.

And, it is the cross of Jesus where this is the most important. We don’t know that Jesus had any earthly possessions. He gave his mother to a disciple declaring her to be his mother and him to be her son. Jesus had already given his body to die for the life of the world and he commended his spirit to his Father. He gave up everything.

And, he had no obligation to do so. These things were his and he still -gave- them. Were they not his he could not have given them. The gospel in a nutshell would be fundamentally altered. John 3:16 declares, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” If God really didn’t have his Son, there would be no gift, there would be no love.

Love just can not be mandated. Man can not make himself loving towards his neighbor. We can be told to love and to give but it does not give us the power to do so. The inspiration of God, his love towards us, moves us to love others. Like a mirror reflecting a lamp, the mirror is not the lamp, but the mirror gives light from the source.

The perfect economic system is where Jesus gave all to gain all. That is what the Bible teaches. All other economic systems pale in comparison to the giving that God has done. John 3:16 declares, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

 

He Is The Solution

I wanted to take the time today to speak to you about a number of things. These things might be weighing on you but you can know for certain that the Lord your God fights for you. He has the evidence of your salvation at his right hand: the wounded body of his Son Jesus Christ.

As you go about your path, your path that is Jesus Christ, the Way, you can find rest in him. You will find as you are exposed to Holy Scripture that he is carrying you, that the good you do-you only do in him. You are a member of his body. God does his work alone, but as members of his body, he is touching the world through you as well.

For all the things that you might find troubling: politics, religion, the state of your community, the condition of your country, your relationships, all such things, God has gone before you and has given you good works, that you should walk in them. The world can never be so dark that it is hid from God. He sees all, and he has met wrongdoing with justice.

You can let go of all indignation because Jesus, the Son of God, died for all. He died in the place of all. All sins were punished in him and so you can regard your neighbor with grace, not because you are good or your neighbor is good, but because you with your neighbor have been spared. You both have been spared from destruction by the rescue of Jesus Christ the Lord. You can greet your neighbor with a true peace that surpasses all human understanding.

Despite your political views, be assured that God knows truth from error. There is no lie that is told that will not unravel. The corrupt will have their corruption exposed, either now in time, or, on the Last Day. There is no evil that man can perpetrate that God can not undo. And while this does not mean you are free from responsibility, it does mean you are free from worry. God is above all and God is good to all.

The Truth is Jesus Christ, the Son of God and the Word of God. His light was shining from Adam, the first man, until now. People have been told from the start that the head of the serpent would be crushed by “Her Seed”. He is the One the serpent fears. While the muck of false teaching sticks, like mud, to the faithful; it only sticks. It does not poison and it can not kill what God has planted: the new man that is in Jesus Christ.  The new man resists false teaching. God will draw you out and away from false teachings.

Regardless of what you think or feel God is shining his light, both from the page, and off your flesh, that is, reflecting from you, to those around you whenever you tell what Jesus has done. May God open your mouth to speak about him whenever he wishes. The dark night is fading into the new day, and you are part of it, an instrument of God for his good and gracious will: that all be saved and come to a knowledge of the Truth.

In our country, a republic, you are the Sovereign. The government works for you and answers to you. A monarchy is where a king or queen rules, he or she is the sovereign of the nation. In the United States of America however (If you happen to live here), it is the People who are the Sovereign: from the homeless man sleeping on a cold bench in a public park, all the way to the billionaire lounging on a warm beautiful coastline; the People, all together, are the sovereign. The government answers to us. And we all are under the merciful King Jesus Christ the Lord.

And God is with you in your close relationships with others. He has given such to you to teach you about him. You are a child of God. God is your Father. Those who believe are the Bride of God. Jesus Christ is the good Husband, the Head of the Church. Let your relationships, your friendships, be God’s ground to tread. A focus on him will diffuse conflict, and more importantly, lead you in the way everlasting, into eternal habitations. God wants you. God wants them.

Do not fear corruption, expose it. Do not trust false doctrine, refute it. Do not fear darkness, enlighten it. Do not obey tyranny, dismantle it. Do not neglect your loved ones, embrace them. This is God’s creation, and he puts you in charge of certain things. You are dear to him. He keeps all his promises. The enemy will rage and fume. God will bless and inspire.

Some of these things mentioned might seem obscure. That is ok: It is for God to lead us by his words. Jesus told his hearers, “The words that I speak unto you: they are Spirit and they are Life.” Follow Jesus. Breathe in the Spirit, take in the Life: hear Holy Scripture. Peace to you in the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the solution.