22 July 2022
A fundamental Law of God is that, within our fallen realm of existence, your greatest treasure is people. Even when you have no particular authority, people are still your greatest treasure. It's your duty to cultivate friendships with your fellow covenant brothers and sisters. People come first in that changing hearts is the core of bringing God glory.
That part isn't so hard to understand. But then, we are obliged to extend that truth into every human activity and interest. Everything you think, say and do must be submitted to God's Law. If modern man invents the study of economics, then the whole orientation must start from the code. In previous posts, I've laid out how your economic thinking and plans must rest on putting people first. How did the ancient rulers gain some measure of God's favor? By ruling like shepherds who cared for the people.
Granted, the ideal slipped at times, as did God's tentative favor. But the longest reigning dynasties and empires were those who managed to rule as shepherds in some fashion. Their policies were at least partly aimed at building up the economy in ways that spread the national wealth among the people, since a prosperous and healthy nation was a ruler's reputation. He was considered great because he made his people great.
Michael Hudson has been making a lot of noise lately (here and here) in discussing the policies of ancient rulers. His outline is accurate enough; a ruler who made the welfare of his people the first priority was counted great. He also describes how the current globalist or neo-liberal agenda is very inherently and intentionally anti-human. It's designed to rob, oppress and kill the common folk. Wherever he gets it from, Hudson is on the right track.
The primary means of oppression is the leverage of debt. What did God say about neglecting the Jubilee, when all debts public and private were dissolved? It's the same thing He said about Sabbatical years of rest for the land. Someday, the system will be destroyed and the people will catch up on their jubilee rest from relentless slavery to debt. You should not imagine that God isn't keeping track.
I hope you have the time and patience to read Hudson't discussion of the western rent-seeking system and why it's wrong. Please understand: He's not promoting socialism or communism. He's explaining how economies work regardless of the political philosophy. If the US had stayed under industrial capitalism, we would remain the richest and most powerful country in the world. The birth of predatory financial capitalism has destroyed America, and communist China is leaving us behind, because they manage to get a few things right. It's not capitalism versus socialism; it's doing what works regardless of the philosophy.
The Bible is neither capitalist or socialist; it's feudal. And biblical feudalism isn't about property and rents; it's about people. Pick any "ism" you like, but obey the Word.
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