Nathan Brown
Book editor
Signs Publishing Company
Many of the year’s big news stories have focused on economics. From stock markets and exchange rates to debt issues and financial regulation, our economic systems continue to be questioned, particularly regarding sustainability. As Christians, we are asked the same questions but these offer the opportunity to seek different answers.
One of the first realisations is a reminder that many of these systems—based as they are on greed, exploitation, injustice and over-consumption—are wrong. The prevailing theory is that which “inspires our pursuit of as much resource use and waste production (also known as economic growth) as possible, as fast as possible” (Brian McLaren, Everything Must Change). The comparative privilege enjoyed by most in the developed world is subsidised at the expense of the rest of the world.
Those who promote and profit from our economic systems have powerful voices, tuned to convince us of their importance and pre-eminence. In Colossians Remixed, Brian J Walsh and Sylvia C Keesmaat describe the prevailing economic forces as “a religious movement of previously unheard-of proportions. Progress is its underlying myth, unlimited economic growth its foundational faith, the shopping mall—physical or online—its place of worship, consumerism its overriding image, ‘I’ll have a Big Mac and fries’ its ritual of initiation, and global domination its ultimate goal.”
In the face of rampant market-driven capitalism, it becomes increasingly clear why Jesus said, “You cannot serve God and money” (Matthew 6:24, NLT). He urges us not to worry about what we should eat, drink or wear—and the list would probably be longer if the Sermon on the Mount had been preached to 21st-century consumers in a shopping mall rather than to rural peasants on a hillside—and reminds us to look first to God who “already knows all your needs” and “will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern” (Matthew 6:32, 33, NLT).
Even as we ask these questions, we need to realise the poor are always first to suffer. We must be asking how we can reach those who are hurting financially and emotionally.
Giving is the ultimate rebuttal to an economy built on getting and having. We must resist the temptations uncertainties bring to build walls of protection around ourselves. Instead, as Jesus recommended, by our generosity and faithfulness we demonstrate our treasure is to be found in the kingdom of heaven (see Matthew 6:20).
Seventh-day Adventist writer Chris Blake offers an inspiring alternative vision: “Let God’s people transition to new models of transforming grace of Christian community. Christianity has never been about isolationism, and never will be. . . . In the midst of imminent collapse, Adventist homes open to the dispossessed and fearful. Adventist churches and schools become cities of refuge and outposts of mercy. Sanctuaries house the homeless. Playing fields plough up into gardens. As a world self-destructs, chapter 2 of Acts emerges before our wondering eyes. . . . This is our finest hour.”—Adventist News Network
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