Grace Economics (1) (1)
“On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22.40
Valid still
A good deal of misunderstanding exists at present concerning the purpose and status of the Law of God for those who have believed in Jesus. Unless we can overcome this misunderstanding, we will struggle to know the grace of God for life in the Kingdom economy.
By the Law of God I mean the Ten Commandments and the attendant civil statutes and rules, given by God through Moses, that were to guide Israel in establishing a nation based on love for God and neighbor. I do not intend to include in this discussion of the Law of God the various ceremonial or religious laws—those laws connected with the work of priests—since, as the writer of Hebrews explains (chapter 7-10), those laws have all been set aside by the anointing of a new and eternal High Priest, our Lord Jesus Christ.
While the laws governing things like sacrifices and offerings, clean and unclean foods, and protocols for various kinds of bodily cleansings and restorations no longer apply—although even in these, principles may be derived to guide our practice (cf. 1 Cor. 9.3-14)—the New Testament is clear that the Ten Commandments remain in effect as holy and righteous and good statutes to guide our walk with the Lord (Matt. 5.17-19; Rom. 7.12; 1 Jn. 2.1-6).
In addition, New Testament writers, following the precedent of Old Testament prophets, discerned in the various civil statutes and rules of ancient Israel, abiding principles of love and justice that remain valid for these latter days (Lk. 19.1-10; 1 Cor. 9.8-11; Jms. 5.1-4; cf. Ruth 4; Hag. 2.10-18). These civil statutes illustrate or suggest ways of applying the Ten Commandments to a wide range of situations so that we may understand the course love should take in human society. These statutes were not meant to be exhaustive but merely suggestive; wise readers and interpreters, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, are expected to ferret out the meanings of the Law and discern its proper applications on a situation-by-situation basis, to ensure that love for God and neighbor are maintained (Prov. 25.2).
And this is not an impossible task. Not long ago, sitting with my then 14-year-old granddaughter, the subject of certain Old Testament laws came up. I asked Reagan, “Since I do not have a railing around my roof, am I in violation of the Law of God (cf. Deut. 22.8). She thought for a moment, then said, “No, because no one goes up on your roof.” “But what about,” I continued, “if I put a pool in my backyard?” “Then,” Reagan continued after a moment’s thought, “you would have to put a fence around it, so that people wouldn’t fall into it unawares.”
The Law on economics
Interestingly, certain of the Ten Commandments and many of the civil statutes of ancient Israel bear on what we today would regard as matters of commerce and economic practice. We have seen that in the Kingdom economy of God, grace is the currency of life, including commerce—the primary resource for getting by and making our way in the world. Christians use money, of course, but not apart from grace.
At the same time, the Law of God and subsequent Scripture based on the Law, have much to say about specific matters of commerce and economics. Wages, prices, debt, the value of land, contracts, honest transactions—these are just a few of the economic matters touched on in the Law of God. Certain of the statutes addressing these matters became the basis for much of the preaching of the prophets, who held rulers and religious leaders alike accountable before God for their violations of His standards for economic justice and neighbor-love. When grace ceased to be the currency of Israel’s economic activity, the prophets were quick to call for redress and restoration.
Our nation has been characterized from its beginnings by an economy of getting-and-spending. The free market practices recommended by Adam Smith have nowhere found a more welcome reception than among the American people. During the early years of the Republic, while Biblical and Christian values still largely defined the ethical and moral environment in which economic transactions were conducted, the “dark side” of capitalism—its tendency to promote deception, exploitation, and cutting corners in the worship of the almighty dollar—was largely kept in check. Chattel slavery and the exploitation of Native Americans are, of course, glaring and sad exceptions and evidence of the power of greed to replace grace as the currency of commerce, and corruption to befoul all aspects of economic life.
A question of values
In our day, when relativistic and pragmatic values increasingly set the tone for ethical conduct and economic activity, the dark side of capitalism is more and more overshadowing the land. Corporate corruption, the hiring of illegal and exploitation of undocumented workers, white collar crime, unequal wages, DEI policies, and exorbitant salaries for some while many cannot find work—all these and more are symptoms of a system that has become sick with self-love and materialism. While money remains the primary resource for commercial activity, self-love rather than grace is the currency we live by.
If it were possible to discover principles of economic activity that could infuse more grace into our society—principles and practices that discourage mere self-interest, preserve the value of property and currency, honor the dignity of all members of society, and promote justice, fairness, honesty, and, yes, love—if such principles could be discovered, even if they be found in the Old Testament Law of God, wouldn’t they be worth considering?
As we shall see, the Law of God contains many principles to guide us in specific areas of economic activity, so that we may walk as Jesus did (1 Jn. 2.1-6), and may show the world the way out of mere greed economics into the grace economics of God’s Kingdom economy.
For reflection
1. What is your view of the Law of God? How have you formed that idea? How important is it that Christians know and practice the Law in their walk with and work for the Lord?
2. As you see it, what would be some primary differences between greed economics and grace economics?
3. Should Christians try to influence the economic activity of their community? Why or why not?
Next steps—Preparation: All this week, pray through the Ten Commandments each day, pausing to reflect on each one as it might have application to the day before you.
T. M. Moore
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If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
Other columns of interest this week: Our Read Moore podcast begins this week an extended verse meditation on the exaltation and reign of Jesus. In our Crosfigell series on Brendan of Clonfert, the saint pushes on over the Atlantic to find The Promised Land of the Saints. Why not start your day with our worship devotional, The Scriptorium? We’re barely two chapters into this daily guide, so it’s not too late to jump on board. Click here to see all the other columns and writers available to you.
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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
