Grace Economics (2) (2)

“You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.” Leviticus 19.18

To compete or to serve?
In an economy based on getting and spending, people compete with one another for resources, opportunities, and advantages. In grace economics, an economy based on principles of divine justice, people work together to bring the righteousness, peace, and joy of God’s Kingdom into the experience of all members of the community. Gaining advantage is replaced by seeking opportunities to serve; self-interest is replaced by self-denial; mutual edification takes the place of self-aggrandizement; and grace overrides greed in carrying out one’s individual responsibility.

America has been described as a nation of narcissists, a people whose primary concern is, in the memorable phrase of Robert Ringer, “looking out for number one.” This is not by accident, but by design. Americans are taught to seek a competitive edge on others and to learn the skills and protocols that will allow them to realize their fullest material potential. This is in part a consequence of the Darwinian worldview which defines the warp and woof of relationships in our society. But it is also the natural outworking of our commitment to material prosperity, to an economics of greed.

From early on, children are taught to seek their own interests and to do what they can in order to gain advantages over their peers. Education – in home and school – reinforces the convictions that children should be happy and that material prosperity is the way to happiness. Other people, while they may be enjoyed as friends or intimates, should not be allowed to disrupt the quest for personal happiness and material wealth.

Abortion is the classic example of how self-interest, which always includes material considerations, works to the disadvantage of the weak.

Relationships in an economy of justice
In a grace economy, husbands and wives work to fulfill their marriage vows. Divorce should be rare in such an economy, caring for the poor a matter of continuous concern, and abortion all but non-existent. In the worldview represented by God’s Law, fathers and mothers take responsibility for raising their children in such a way as to inculcate neighbor-love above mere self-interest. The Ten Commandments are taught as a way to discipline the hearts and minds of children so that loving their neighbors becomes the default manner of living. Honesty, civility, industry, creativity, and concern for community tend to characterize people who love the Lord their God with all their heart and their neighbors as themselves.

In short, relationships in the Kingdom economy of God are modeled on the mutual love, giving, and enjoyment the members of the Trinity share with One Another, looking to Jesus, standing on His Word, and relying on the power of God’s Spirit.

We may wonder where such a grace economics can be found in practice today. Among some Christians, grace is experienced during their time at church, but greed and self-interest tend to drive almost every other aspect of their lives.

A form of the Kingdom economy obtained in colonial New England, however, under the leadership of Puritan pastors and governors, as Helena M. Wall explained in her book, Fierce Communion. Ms. Wall is no friend of the Puritans; nevertheless, she shows the many ways that neighbors took responsibility for one another, and neighbor-love, according to God’s Law, set the tone for New England social life.

In such an economy neighbors look out for one another, and fairness and honesty prevail in the marketplace. Where justice takes precedence over material wealth, generosity, charity, compassion, and altruism are more likely to flourish. The fact that, year after year, the members of the Christian community prove to be the most generous in giving their time, strength, and wealth for the relief of the needy is typical of what we might expect to see as characterizing relationships of every sort in an economy of justice.

The example of the first Christians
Where people value justice above wealth and grace above greed – a community based on principles derived from God’s Law – every type of relationship will be transformed. In the Book of Acts Christians demonstrated the power of such an economy in astonishing ways, and they were able, by so doing, to convince even some of their most ardent opponents to believe the Gospel of the Kingdom (cf. Acts 6.1-7; cf. Ps. 66.3).

The place to begin working for such an economy is in the Christian home and church. The grace we learn here, and that we share with one another, can carry over into all other aspects of our lives, as believers model the relational power of an economy of justice and love. When we are more consistent and conspicuous as a community of grace, the world will marvel at our oneness, and flock to discover the secret to our peace, joy, and hope (Deut. 4.5-8; Mic. 5.1-8; 1 Pet. 3.15). Then we may be able to recommend public policies that allow the benefits of such an economy to redound to all members of the community.

For reflection or discussion
1.  Do you think it’s fair to describe America as a nation of narcissists? Why or why not?

2.  What are some of the differences between relationships based on economic advantage and relationships based on neighbor-love?

3.   Meditate on Acts 6.1-7. Discuss the impact of the relationships of these first Christians on the community around them?

Next steps – Demonstration: What opportunities does your church have to demonstrate the grace of God to the needy in your community? Talk with a church leader about this question.

T. M. Moore

This week’s ReVision study is Part 7 of a 10-part series, “The Kingdom Economy.” You can download “Grace Economics (2)” as a free PDF, prepared for personal or group study. Simply click here. For a background study of Kingdom economics, order the book, The Kingdom Turn,  from our online store, and learn what it means to enter the Kingdom, not just talk about it.

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.