Nine Principles of Kingdom Economics

Viv Grigg, June 2006

When people heard him, what did they understand?

Jesus came to preach good news of the Kingdom of God to the poor, to set the

captives free, to declare the acceptable year of the Lord (– the year

of Jubilee) (Luke 4:18, 19).

Kingdom Economic Principles in Genesis 1

God’s Nature is to be reflected in us Principle 1: Creativity – He creates (Gen 1:1)

Take risks Makes something from nothing Evolving one thing from the next – we are to grow

business incrementally Principle 2: He works cooperatively (“Let us”1:1) Principle 3: Productivity – “he made”, “it was good” Principle 4: He works Principle 5: He rests

Principle 1 & 3: Creativity & Productivity

God is the creative worker His work was good, expressing beauty Made something out of nothing Evolved each step into something new His work was artistic

His work was good Work is honorable God’s work can be seen in four categories:

creation, providence, judgement, redemption

Principle 4: Work Human work

To manage the earth To subdue it To fill it

Work was cursed in the fall It became hard work

From gardener to farmer, from fulfilment to frustration

But the command to manage did not change

1.What rate of interest do they charge?

Principle 5: Rest

Abuse of work takes two forms: Idleness Overwork

Work without rest is one of the major sins

The Sabbath a symbol of the covenant between God and

his people a time to reflect and rest out of this reflection, worship.

Christians enter a permanent rest We rest in the spirit in our work But we also take seasons of rest

Principle 6: RedistributionThe Jubilee (Lev 25:8-17)

Every 50th year, It was a time of equalizing.I. LIBERTY It is synonymous with the year of liberty. Slaves are to be set free. II. DEBTS ARE TO BE CANCELED. Economic freedom is inherent in the gospel message.III. CELEBRATION. Celebration is inherent in the gospel message.IV. REDISTRIBUTION The means of production, the land was to be returned to the

original owners. Redistribution of the means of production is inherent in the gospel message.

V. OWNERSHIP Even the Levites were to have their own home

Jesus’ Message of the JubileeThis theme of the Jubilee

becomes central to the New Testament In the central passage around

which Luke builds his gospel and the Acts, Luke 4:18, Jesus declares his mission

He inaugurates the Jubilee eternally.

Jubilee Economics in the

Acts Community (Acts 2:42-44) New PRINCIPLE: FORSAKING2nd PRINCIPLE:

COOPERATIVE ECONOMICS 6th PRINCIPLE: MEETING NEEDS

6th PRINCIPLE: VOLUNTARY GIVING

6th PRINCIPLE: THE EQUALIZING GOSPEL

8th PRINCIPLE: CELEBRATION

9th PRINCIPLE: PRIVATE OWNERSHIP WITHOUT POSSESSIVENESS

Rich 5%

Middle Class 10%

Labouring Poor 45%

Destitute Poor 40%

AN EQUALIZING GOSPEL

A RANGE OF JUSTICE & EQUALITY

Principle of Simplicity I Tim 6:6-10

A Lifestyle of Simplicity

Earn much

Consume Little

Hoard Nothing

Give Generously

Celebrate Life

Principle 6: Jubilee and International Redistribution

(2 Corinthians 8,9)

The principles of Jubilee as evidenced in Jesus community, then in the Acts community are further extended globally in Paul’s teaching on global redistribution between the churches

Principle 6:InternationalRedistribution

Sacrificial Simple Lifestyles

lead to

Interchurch InternationalEconomic Justice

(II Cor 8,9)

Summary of Principles of Kingdom Economics

Principle Genesis/ Jubilee Gospels & Acts Epistles1. Creativity God the creator Spirit sets free

2. Cooperative Economics

Let us make Sharing Provide for others

3. Productivity Good outcomes

4. Work He makesHe structures

Labour in the gospel

Work with hands (1 Thes 4:11)

5. Rest God rests Jubilee come 3. Rest

6 Redistribut’nfor Equality

Jubilee –return of land Tithing

No needy one

Weekly Giving

Global redist’n (2 Cor 8,9)

Simplicity

7. Savings & Debt

Jubilee cancels debts

Debts cancelled

Owe no man

8. Celebration It was good Worship daily

9. Ownership / Own home / Forsake all, / Provide family (Levites) yet own home (1 Tim 5:8)