Christian Economics 101
Scripture’s teachings on economics are clear for those ready to learn
Economics often gets overlooked by Christians.
From one perspective, this makes sense. Economics is not the gospel. Understanding biblical economics won’t save our souls.
On the other hand, economics is at the very heart of the Christian life and being obedient to God. God commanded Adam and Eve to “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion …” Even before the Fall, God had provided economic means built around private property to enable mankind to carry out the dominion or cultural mandate. Resources were scarce (meaning work was required to obtain them) and man’s knowledge was limited (even perfect man was not omniscient), so production utilizing natural resources through the division of labor and voluntary trade through markets with prices would have been required to increase the capital stock needed to feed, clothe, and house the multiplying mankind. God also introduced private property when he commanded Adam and Eve not to eat of the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge.
After the Fall, production and trade through markets has had the added benefit of allowing man to provide for himself without killing his neighbors and taking their property. Unfortunately, many in our fallen world have decided they benefit more from stealing and killing than from working and trading, so we still have to deal with violence.
Jesus also taught about economics. The majority of His parables, for instance, are told in economic settings, including: the Parable of the Talents, the Parable of the Sower, the Parable of the Wheat and the Tares, the Parable of the Dishonest Manager, the Parable of the Tenants, etc. Yes, first emphasis of these parables is about the Kingdom of God and salvation, but they also contain important lessons about how to live our economic lives—which includes how the government should—or should not—regulate human activity.
Scripture provides many robust accounts of how God designed humans to own property and trade with each other. Unfortunately, too many Christians ignore or misread Scripture on economics and government regulation of markets.
The good news is that the Scripture’s teachings on these issues are clear for those ready to learn. Here are a few verses that can help us start thinking economically from a biblical perspective:
“Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion …” Genesis 1:28
“Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” – Genesis 1:26
“For freedom Christ has set us free.” – Galatians 5:1
“You shall not steal.” – Exodus 20:15
“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.” – Ecclesiastes 4:9
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” – Genesis 1:1
“You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands.” – Psalm 128:1
And here are a few books as well:
The Maker Versus the Takers: What Jesus Really Said About Social Justice and Economics by Jerry Bowyer
The Economics of the Parables by Robert Sirico
Biblical Economics by R.C. Sproul Jr.
Christian Economics: Student’s Edition by Gary North
Finally, here is a list of books that provide a biblical perspective on culture, science, governance, and economics.