Lesson 6: Repentance and the Economy
People on both sides of the political spectrum are calling for a rethink of our economy. Those on the right believe we have been drawn more and more into a socialism in which freeloaders milk the system. In many ways, MAGA really means “Make America Rich Again” and believes the way to do that is to return to a free enterprise system that removes regulations and ends programs designed to help the vulnerable.
Those on the left believe we must rethink an economy in which the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. They think we must protect programs that care for the weak and should add others that serve all our citizens, such as national healthcare.
Beyond that, many familiar with artificial intelligence warn that its growth in the coming years will force us to rethink the economy. Unlike our past experience, technology is going to eliminate, not create, jobs.
Christianity does not provide a political program, but it has always advocated rethinking the role of the economy. Jesus claimed life is more than what we eat and drink. Affordability does not take precedence over everything else.
We can see the consequences of ”It’s all about the economy, Stupid” when warfare focuses on destroying the economy. The price of gas becomes more important than the murder of other human beings. Denying water to a civilian population was once considered a war crime, but is now simply a good strategy.
The Christian voice prioritizes Jesus’ words and actions. His parable of the Workers in the Vineyard makes clear that God desires everyone to have enough to feed their families. He repeatedly claims that confidence in God‘s care enables us to generously share what we have.
Last week, I noted that ethics is the conversation that occurs when two people disagree. The intention is to prevent the strong from taking advantage of the weak. Christians certainly believe this extends to the economic system, which controls so much in our common lives.
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