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.
At least, this is what an economy can be when grace is its currency and end.
America has been described as an ego-centric nation, 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 gain and greed.
From early on, children are taught to seek their own interests and to do what they can to gain advantages over their peers. Education—in school and in too many homes—reinforces the convictions that children should be happy and that material prosperity is the way to happiness. Other people, those with whom we work and socialize, while they may be enjoyed as friends or intimates, should not be allowed to disrupt the quest for personal happiness and material wealth.
We’re not all angry, conniving, arrogant, and eager to squash all our competition, as if we were characters in an Ayn Rand novel. But still, that competitive spirit is at work subtly in us all, driving us to look for an edge or to get from others rather than to give and serve.
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 their default manner of living. Honesty, civility, industr6y, 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; then 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 many 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 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 and in other charitable endeavors is typical of what we might expect to see as characterizing relationships of every sort in an economy where grace is our currency and end.
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 our own hearts, and 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).
As we model grace economics in our lives, homes, and churches, people will take note, and many will be influenced to emulate our ways. And then we may even be able to recommend public policies that allow the benefits of such an economy to redound to all members of the community.
For reflection
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? Pray that God will bring more of His grace into your life and the lives of your fellow church members.
T. M. Moore
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: In our Scriptorium series on Ephesians we will work through chapter 3. Our Read Moorepodcast continues addressing the question raised by our book, What in Heaven Is Jesus Doing on Earth? This week our Crosfigell teaching letter traces the beginnings of Brigit’s ministry in 6th-century Ireland. 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.
