Capitalism, Socialism, Or Another Ism?

There is much debate in Christian circles about capitalism and socialism. There is debate because we are often too occupied with the systems of the world to understand the culture of the Kingdom. There has even been such a watering down of Kingdom culture as current evangelism has mixed preferences for world systems in the spreading of the gospel. We need to surrender all opinion and seek Father's heart to get a clear understanding of the Kingdom.

There is one place I always like to start in Scripture when I want to get focused on Father's heart and Kingdom economics. I believe in Kingdom economics. I believe that the Lord intends for us to be prosperous in everything and to use this prosperity to bring a form of equality. In this he will be glorified to the nations. There will never be perfect equality because we live in a broken world but we should come very close to it in the Church, which is Kingdom culture on earth.

The place I like to start is in Deuteronomy 15 because here we can see the intention our Father had for Israel. Here in verse four he says that there will be no poor in Israel because he would prosper the people in their obedience to him. He promised them great stuff if they walked in obedience. Simple. But then a few verses later he gives instructions in case there are poor among them.

Father knew that not everyone would manage to walk in obedience so there would be those who failed to enter into prosperity. It was more than just a reward for obedience that he was promising. The Law itself was the building block for prosperity. A society based on honour would lend itself to the success of every citizen and that is where the Law would bring this nation, to a culture of honour.

Father knew some would fail but he did not tell the nation to cast those people out. He told them to surround them in loving support. He told them to share the wealth, to give to them whatever they asked for and not to resent it. This was the method by which equality would be achieved, that everyone would be honoured, and poverty would be destroyed. As I already stated, in this culture of honour God would be glorified to the nations. Perfect, right? It should have been.

The one great failure in all of creation is us. We keep getting in the way of our own success because we keep putting ourselves in the middle of everything. It is hard for us to take a supporting role. But when we see our role as helping other people become successful we begin reaching the pinnacle of our purpose. And in a culture of honour, as I am occupied with your success someone else is occupied with my success.

The Royal Law, as James calls it, is "Love and respect your neighbour as you love and respect yourself". Unfortunately, the self-centered attitude lends itself to mental illness so that we do not even love and respect ourselves. 

How about the golden rule, another one that Jesus gave us, "Do to others what you would have them do to you"? Once again our self-centeredness changes it to "I'll do to you whatever you do to me". 

This we can understand in a broken world. The only thing that will fix it is the transformation that Jesus offers. But this self-centered culture should never exist among brothers and sisters of Christ. It isn't the Lord's way so it shouldn't be ours. We realize that everything we have has been given for the benefit of the Body of Christ. Not for the most deserving but for anyone who is in need. Father does not qualify this directive to the Israelites but Jesus made it plan with the parable of the Good Samaritan.

A lot of judgement has crept into the Kingdom Culture which means it isn't Kingdom Culture at all but a cheap knock off. Father made it clear, mercy is greater than judgement. Jesus stated that the merciful are blessed and will receive mercy. He said that we will reap what we sow. He has made it clear to us, just as Father made it clear to Israel that those who receive blessing have the responsibility to share those blessings even with those they may deem to be unworthy.

The issue is not capitalism or socialism. The issue is, are we obedient citizens of the Kingdom of God, learning to live by his culture in a foreign land?

It's Time To Put Equality In Its Place

There was an article in one of my city`s local papers that spoke a truth that many people want to deny. For decades women have fought for equal rights but a branch of them are not interested in equality, they want to be better. On the other end we have most men who don`t want any trouble and want to be politically correct. This article pointed out what the Church should have been teaching for years : It is not about equality because men and women are not equal in ability, but they are complimentary. Women are great at some things and men at others but when put together we make a whole. Maybe the difference is too subtle to see but it is an important difference.

God made it clear that the responsibility to lead was given to the male gender. Of course, our sinful nature took that and twisted it as it does with all good things God has called into being. However, it is also true that no man can lead properly unless his wife allows him. Yes, I said allow him. A wife can dominate her husband quite easily, and those who are married know exactly what I am talking about. Women, in disobedience to God, have all that is required to take over leadership from their husbands. It is never a question of ability and always a matter of obedience.

Women are strong, intelligent, determined, insightful, compassionate and very capable of doing anything they put their mind to. It has been that way since the beginning. Personally, considering that God made women last and gave her the ability to incubate life, I think she is his crowning glory in all of creation. But he did not intend for her to lead. It has nothing to do with being second class in the Kingdom because she is a compliment to her husband as her husband is to her. The greatest things are going to happen when a couple understand and walk in their God-appointed roles and work together instead of against each other. It is fantastic when it works; it is disastrous when it doesn`t.

Paul gave Timothy a warning about those who were teaching false things about God. Paul knew that if these men were able to capture the heart of the woman it would affect the whole family:

Some men fool whole families, just to get power over those women who are slaves of sin and are controlled by all sorts of desires. (2 Timothy 3:6)

I will tell you right now a truth that his been proven over the ages: women are the hearts of their family. They can be the worse mothers, make huge mistakes, anger their children but they will always have the hearts of their children. Forgiveness comes for a mother whether she asks for it or not. Sure, children get angry, daughters don`t talk to them for years as teenagers, but watch what happens when the hormones come back into place. I am telling you, no matter what, we love our moms. If dads make those same mistakes, look out, they`ll still be hearing about it in 40 years from now.

Why do you think the Church is filled with more women than men? I think in many ways women have a deeper understanding of God's heart. Father's love their children, work hard to give them a better life, would lay down their lives for them and cherish them dearly, but we have never had the physical bond of a mother with them.There is something to it that only God and women really understand. I marvel at it and sometimes I am envious of it, but it doesn't rob me of my responsibility to lead. I have a wife that makes sure of that, who speaks to me with great insights of how I should approach the children and how best to deal with some difficult situations, especially with my girls. She makes me a better leader and is obedient to God by allowing me to lead. But if she wanted to, she could destroy with a word.

If sin grips the heart of the woman, if she embraces false teaching and allows others to lead her astray, then the whole family is in trouble. That is my place to protect my wife, to lead, to make sure we stay in step together with the Spirit, to insure that our lives are based solidly on the Word of God. I am responsible to keep a guard over my house so that no thieves sneak in and steal away what belongs to God. I need to know and understand the desires of my wife's heart so that I can help guide in God's holiness and righteousness. There is nothing so powerful as a woman with a righteous heart and there is nothing so destructive as a woman possessed by evil desires.

The Spirit gave Paul an interesting insight as he added:

These women always want to learn something new, but they never can discover the truth. (v. 7)

Just because someone wants to learn doesn't mean they can. A life of disobedience does not allow for applied insight. The Word of God is not some great academic book to receive certificates of learning for studying it. It is not filled with theories to discuss with friends. It is not a book of philosophy to be picked apart. It is the revelation of God, about God and what he has done for us. It is something that provokes us into action. The only way to truly understand it is to have the Holy Spirit write it on your heart and to live it. Disobedience is a roadblock in this process.

So let's throw the world's definition of equality out the window along with the other philosophies of this place and let's start living the Word of God. Men and women are complimentary and we must be obedient to our roles. Maybe we are uncomfortable with them but sometimes we must do things that make us uncomfortable at first. Husband and wives were but together as a team and as a team they must walk together. When they do, great things are going to happen for the glory of God.