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Nine Principles of Kingdom Economics. Ten. Viv Grigg, 1983- 2013. 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). When people heard him, what did they understand?.
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Nine Principles of Kingdom Economics Ten Viv Grigg, 1983- 2013
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). When people heard him, what did they understand?
First Principle of Economics: Love The redemption of the dignity of individuals in their material relationships within communities
Principle 2 & 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 – incremental business • His work was artistic • His work was good • Work is honorable • God’s work can be seen in four categories: creation, providence, judgement, redemption
Kingdom Economic Principles in Genesis 1 • Principle 1: Love: redemotion of the dignity of God’s Nature in each person • Principle 2: Creativity – |He creates (Gen 1:1) • Principle 3: Productivity – “he made”, “it was good • Principle 4: He works cooperatively (“Let us”1:1) • Principle 5a: He works • Principle 5b: He rests
Principle 4: Cooperative Economics • God is an “usness” • Let us make • The history of Economic Theology highlights this theme. • Vs Marxism • Vs Capitalism
Principle 5: 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
Principle 5: Rest • Abuse of work takes two forms: • Idleness • Overwork • Work without rest is one of the major sins
Principle 5: Rest • 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: • LIBERTY II. DEBTS ARE TO BE CANCELED. III. CELEBRATION. V. REDISTRIBUTION V. OWNERSHIP
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
Principle 6: RedistributionThe Jubilee (Lev 25:8-17) 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 Jubilee • This 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.
Rich 5% Middle Class 10% Labouring Poor 45% Destitute Poor 40% Jubilee Economics in the Acts Community (Acts 2:42-44) AN EQUALIZING GOSPEL A RANGE OF JUSTICE & EQUALITY
Rich 5% Middle Class 10% Labouring Poor 45% Destitute Poor 40% Jubilee Economics in the Acts Community (Acts 2:42-44) AN EQUALIZING GOSPEL New (6th) PRINCIPLE: FORSAKING or SIMPLICITY 4th PRINCIPLE: COOPERATIVE ECONOMICS A RANGE OF JUSTICE & EQUALITY
Rich 5% Middle Class 10% Labouring Poor 45% Destitute Poor 40% Jubilee Economics in the Acts Community (Acts 2:42-44) AN EQUALIZING GOSPEL 7th PRINCIPLE: MEETING NEEDS 7th PRINCIPLE: VOLUNTARY GIVING 7th PRINCIPLE: THE EQUALIZING GOSPEL 9th PRINCIPLE: CELEBRATION 10th PRINCIPLE: PRIVATE OWNERSHIP WITHOUT POSSESSIVENESS A RANGE OF JUSTICE & EQUALITY
Principle 7: Jubilee and International Redistribution (2 Corinthians 8,9) The principles of Jubilee • in Jesus community, • then in the Acts community • are further extended globally in Paul’s teaching on global redistribution between the churches
Principle 7:InternationalRedistribution Sacrificial Simple Lifestyles lead to Interchurch International Economic Justice (II Cor 8,9)