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?

Don't Use Your Freedom To Do Wrong

"The Lord wants you to obey all human authorities, especially the Emperor, who rules over everyone. You must also obey governors, because they are sent by the Emperor to punish criminals and to praise good citizens. God wants you to silence stupid and ignorant people by doing right. You are free, but still you are God’s servants, and you must not use your freedom as an excuse for doing wrong." (1 Peter 2:13-15)

What is our responsibility toward the government, considering that we are not of this world? There are many groups that always seem to be against the government. We often speak against our leaders when they do not adhere to the Word of God. We sign petitions and talk around the water cooler,tearing down, not building up. But is this honouring to God?

The Word tells us here that we are free, because our citizenship does not belong here but to the Kingdom of God. But the Word also instructs us not to use our freedom as an excuse to do what is wrong according to God. We may not always appreciate our government and the decisions made but the Word is clear that we are to submit ourselves to such authority.

Do we trust God?

Do we trust what the Word says, that he raises up the government and he brings them down again?

Like so many things in our lives, we want to take control. We pray but at the same time we want to control our finances, our employment, our church and our government. I don't think we really believe that God is in control of all things. And the truth is, he is only in control of what we allow him to control. We can take control over things that God wants to direct, make a real mess of things and then blame God.

I liken it to one of my children who ask me to teach them to bake. Then part way through the process they decide they know what to do and stop following my instructions. To no one's surprise, it ends in disaster. Praise God for his grace, that he is always sovereign and has plans to clean up our messes. But we lose out in the relationship because we do not allow God the control that is rightfully his.

Pray for the government. Submit to the laws. As free as you are, do what is right in God's eyes by submitting to the authority that is under his control. Trust God and accept that he is sovereign in all things, even if it is not going the way you think it should. God wants you to silence stupid and ignorant people, by obeying him.

The Things Of Emporers

Our service to Jesus should not be a struggle. Our life here should not be a struggle. We should not be filled with worry and fear over things that will not matter for eternity. We need to learn quickly what is important and what is not. We also need to learn what belongs to God and what belongs to the Emperor. What I mean by this is very simple.

Days before the crucifixion Jesus was teaching in the temple. In their continuing attempt to trap him, the leaders of the people sent in a couple of spies to try to trip Jesus up on his teaching. The best way was to play the national card against the occupation. They asked Jesus about taxes. The trap was a good one. If he said the Jews should pay it then the radicals would reject him and stir the people up against him. If he said not to pay the Roman tax they would accuse him of treason. Jesus destroyed their trap with something we still don't get:

“Give the Emperor what belongs to him and give God what belongs to God.” (Luke 20:25, CEV)

Jesus was not political. He did not involve himself in civilian affairs. His purpose was the Kingdom of God not the kingdoms of man. Yet, at the same time he drew our attention to the fact that while we are here we have certain obligations to the authority that is in place.

For some reason many Christians want to force the government to govern by God's standards, but it is a man-made government. Remember when the people called for a King, rejecting God as their king. Samuel was upset but God told him to go ahead and he warned the people what a king would demand. Those demands have not changed, even with an elected government. God does not desire to operate through man's government or even a representative. His desire is to deal with us individually, in a personal relationship. Yes, he is in control of governments; he will raise them and lower them; he will use them but he will seldom deal with his people through them.

God has his own servants for dealing with his people. Through apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, God deals with his children. Yes, we must give to the Emperor what we owe him. Our government pays for our roads, schools, hospitals, military and so many other things that we benefit from. As long as we are here we need to lend them our support, encourage them, pray for them. We vote according to the Spirit and not our personal desire. But we do not exist for this. This is a system we are part of only because we are here. We do not belong to it. We do not live according to this man's government. We live by the Word of God, empowered by the Spirit. We are the Body of Christ, citizens of the Kingdom of God.

When God wants to provoke change he will do it through the hearts of his children. He will do it by calling them back to him, reminding them of his holiness and righteousness. He will convict hearts in prayer meetings and provoke a spirit of generosity. A nation changes, not through its government, but through the Church that seeks the face of God. Revival happens when the Spirit moves us to pray and gives a heart to seek God's holiness. Revival happens, not through government but when God's people run from evil and clean to what is good. God does not force himself on anyone through governments and when this has happened in the past it was wrong and it was abused.

If change was brought through government Jesus would have become Emperor, but he did not. Instead he went to the cross and became King of kings and Lord of lords. Listen to the Words of Jesus and understand the Church is not what we have made her to be but something more, something greater, something of great power and righteousness. It is time to leave the Emperor to play his role while we fulfill ours. It is time to stop with struggling with things that are not important, not our concern, not of the Kingdom.