7 biblical economic principles E-Book

Ravi Chandran

• Herausgeber: Books on Demand
• Kategorie: Religion und Spiritualität
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 140

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2020

Beschreibung

In a consumer society mostly based on capitalistic economic principles, Biblical Economics can easily take backstage, or seem obsolete altogether. Yet, according to Scriptures, Biblical Economics predates our global economy. The author is a theologian and not an economist. He carefully approaches this sensitive, yet vital topic, as seen in the Word of God. Dispelling popular beliefs and understandings, he carefully dissects divine principles, with an underlying message - a devotional relationship with Jesus. Thus, this book is intended to bring us back to the heart of Biblical Economics, which is all about a devotional relationship with God - not rewards.

Leseprobe

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I want to first and foremost thank Almighty God, from whom all wisdom, knowledge and blessings flow.

Secondly, a special thanks to all seminar audiences worldwide, who have encouraged me time and again, to pen down these teachings and produce it in a book format.

Thirdly, I also take this opportunity to thank my natural and spiritual families, for granting me the time and space needed, to work on this book.

Finally, a heartfelt gratitude to Ulf Laursen for help with graphics and layout. John Ruolngul, Charles Muli, Tolulope Bamidele for proof reading and Prince Ravi for editing.

To God be the glory.

FOREWORD

I have taught the 7 Biblical Economic Principles in seminars worldwide. Due to requests from audiences, I pen down these teachings. This book is written with those audiences in mind, just as I would have been addressing them in a seminar. I hope and pray, that these teachings will continue to be a blessing to many more.

Let me be quick to point out that this book is not a ‘get-rich-quick’ formula. Rather, it is about seven tangible expressions of devotional worship by believers, responding to a Sovereign God, in a love relationship that is based in Spirit and in Truth. The focus throughout the entire book will be about our relationship with God the Father, in response to what Jesus did on the cross, as revealed to us by the Holy Spirit. The blessings that flows out of this relationship is a by-product to be received, and not a prime product to be focussed on.

Worship, in the days of our spiritual forefathers, involved among other things, some kind of animal, agricultural or material sacrifice, as an act of devotion. The purpose of the sacrifice was meant to make atonement for sins and reconciling relationships between God and men. In the Hebrew language, sin can be translated as either ‘missing the mark’ (sin), ‘to break faith’ (transgression) or as ‘being crooked’ (iniquity). From the Garden of Eden, God initiated a way for mankind to be reconciled back to God. In the New Testament, Jesus declared that He is the way, the truth and the life.

With the development of global economy, finance was used as a means of exchange, to purchase sacrificial items. Jesus Christ became the ultimate sacrifice, eliminating blood sacrifice, once and for all. The sacrifices of worship we offer today are symbolic, and in commemoration of His Great Sacrifice on the Cross of Calvary. Likewise, water baptism is symbolic of a believer uniting with Jesus in death, burial and resurrection. So does the elements of communion, the bread representing the Body of Christ and the cup representing the Blood of Christ’s New Covenant.

I would like to state that I am not an economist, thus, I will not venture into the current global macro or microeconomics. It is vital to point out that the global economic principles and Biblical Economic Principles are not similar, but opposite, in most cases. However, as a theologian, and one who practices and teaches these principles, I will share 7 Biblical Economic Principles. The hope is that you will be inspired to practice them, as an act of devotional worship to God, in response to His love so lavished on us graciously, abundantly and generously.

The seven principles I am about to explore are independent of each other, yet, interrelated. It is common in Christian circles to hear the phrases ‘tithe and offerings’ mentioned simultaneously during financial contributions in a typical church gathering. There are much more in Scriptures, besides ‘tithe and offerings’, which are also independent principles. Each principle is not meant to be practiced mechanically, as a humanistic religious act, let alone manipulatively or under compulsion. Rather, they are meant to celebrate, confirm, and commemorate a covenant relationship between believers and their Maker.

Lastly, the principles put forth in this book are from The Holy Bible. No doubt, we will differ in their interpretations, based on our own theological or denominational backgrounds. It is not my intention to try and convince readers one way or the other. Instead, viewing God’s Word as infallible, let us respond to it by faith, conviction and reverent devotion. This will yield undeniable blessings from God, which are meant to be shared with others.

Thus, where we disagree, let us choose to do so in an agreeable fashion. Most importantly, “How do these principles affect my private relationship with my Saviour?”, should be the quest to be pursued. That is why, time and again, several thoughts are repeated, intentionally, as I teach in seminars. I hope and pray, that they will resonate in our spirits. Meanwhile, join me in this journey, to taste and see, that the Lord is Good.

Ravi Chandran

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITHE -

RECOGNISING THE LORDSHIP OF JESUS

OFFERINGS -

RECOGNISING THE WORK OF JESUS

ALMS -

RECOGNISING THE KINDNESS OF JESUS

FIRSTFRUITS -

RECOGNISING THE PRIORITY OF JESUS

MEMORIAL -

RECOGNISING THE COVENANT OF JESUS

SOWING AND REAPING -

RECOGNISING THE REWARDS OF JESUS

SACRIFICIAL GIVING -

RECOGNISING THE ULTIMATE LOVE OF JESUS

BIBLICAL FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT -

A CALL TO GOD’S PRINCIPLES

CHAPTER 1

TITHE - RECOGNISING THE LORDSHIP OF JESUS

The tithe is simply a tenth of that which we possess or acquire. The tenth portion is paid or returned to God as an act of devotional worship. It is not a gift; it is due payment, as it is His sacred portion. The purpose of the tithe is for recognising the Lordship of God, and the stewardship of man. Thus, it is an act of devotional recognition, that everything we possess comes from the Lord and belongs to Him. “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters.” (Psalm 24:1-2)

The tithe is demanded by God on the premise that He is the Creator, Ruler, Provider and sustains all creation to date and for eternity. Without the understanding of this principle of God’s Lordship and man’s stewardship, the tithe may seem optional. It is not meant to be a reluctant or compelling gift, but an obligatory ordinance. In reality, it is mandatory. The implication of this principle existed right from the Garden of Eden, when man was permitted to eat fruits of any tree in the garden, except of the tree knowledge of good and evil. While the tree of good and evil was not a tithe in itself, the underlying principle of not touching or taking something that belongs to God, remains. Failing to do so will result in disobedience, theft and spiritual death.

Genesis 2:15-17

15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.

16 And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden;

17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”

The severity of eating of the fruit from the forbidden tree or the sacred portion was spiritual death and separation from God. Prior to the entrance of sin and disobedience, man was holy and not spiritually separated from God. There were blessings in obedience and constant fellowship with God. Disobedience only brought curses and separation from God. The command of not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil was not a polite suggestion, it was a definite instruction. Though Adam created none of the trees, nor its fruits, he was made the chief steward of the garden and of all creation on earth. There was just one exception - the sacred portion or a symbol of the tithe. That solely belonged to God. God’s Lordship and the servanthood of man’s stewardship was established, until it was deliberately broken by mankind.

While Adam went about naming God’s creation on earth, caretaking Eden, enjoying the help and companionship of Eve, it was inevitable that they would have passed by the forbidden tree many times. Not being able to partake of its fruits was a constant reminder of the sacred portion which belongs to God, and their rightful place as His created obedient servants. It is most likely that Adam and Eve must have had conversations about all creation, including the tree of knowledge of good and evil, among themselves and perhaps with God. They had a holy relationship with God and each other, in daily fellowship, communication, communion and divine love.

The tree of good and evil established the understanding of the relationship between mankind and God. Another interpretation of this relationship could be, ‘I am a Loving Master’, and you are my ‘beloved steward’. In other words, I am the Lord your Creator and you are my beloved servant. The tree of knowledge of good and evil was an indication of the principle of the tithe. It was not merely a restraining order - it was a law to establish the rightful place of the Creator in one’s life. One that history has proven time and again, a challenge for mankind.

In contemporary language - it states; Jesus is Lord and I am His devoted bondservant. Everything I have comes from Him, thus I do not touch but return the sacred portion which belongs to Him, in recognition of this principle. This moral principle existed way before the ceremonial laws of Moses and continued right down to the time of Jesus, as it still does today.

Genesis 3:1-7

1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”

2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,

3 but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’”

4 “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman.

5 “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.

7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.

This sad passage of Scripture illustrates the fall of mankind into sin. The serpent deceived them into doubting the nature and character of God’s love, protection and providence, into believing that their secret desires can be fulfilled through creation (the fruit) rather than the Creator. The devil called God a liar and sadly they took the bait - as many still do today. Jesus called the devil a liar and the father of all lies. (John 8:44) Inevitably, they succumbed to the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life. (1 John 2:16) They ate of the forbidden tree and stole that which did not belong to them. Keeping the tithe for oneself is similar to what took place in the Garden of Eden - theft and banishment from paradise.

After the fall of Adam and Eve into sin, they were banished from the Garden of Eden, so that they should not eat of the Tree of Life and live as immortal sinners. That would have permanently separated them from God with no possibility of redemption, as it is with the devil and his angels. It is often overlooked, that the first sin was more than succumbing to the lust of the eye, lust of the flesh and the pride of life - it was disobedience of God’s command and robbing Him of His sacred portion - an attempt to replace creation with the Creator. Moreover, it was an act of wanting to be like God, not His steward bondservant, but His equal. (Genesis 3:4) In Malachi, God called it robbery, when they took what belonged to Him. (Malachi 3:8) As the sacred portion belongs to God, so does the tithe.

As Adam and Eve used to have fellowship with God in the cool of the day, much communication must have transpired between them regarding all matters. These truths must have naturally been passed on to their children in their post-Eden days. It has always been common, from ancient of days, for parents to educate their children from past knowledge and experience. Bearing in mind, there were no formal schools in those days. The conversations between Adam, Eve and their children must have included their sinless days, and the situations and circumstances that led to their banishment from Eden. God’s provisional redemption plan, with the symbolic sacrifice of an innocent animal (indicating Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice), must have been taught to Cain and Abel. (Genesis 3:15;21)

God’s loving kindness was demonstrated by preventing them from living as eternal sinners, should they have consumed the fruit from the Tree of Life in their fallen state. Moreover, the first bloodshed on the planet took place when God had an animal sacrificially killed, to make garments to cover their nakedness. This was a sign and symbol of Jesus, the innocent Lamb of God who will eventually be sacrificed, to cover the nakedness of the sins of the world. Only a sinless sacrifice can atone for the sin of mankind, to restore our broken relationship with God. Jesus became that Second Adam, who obeyed God to the point of death on a cross.

Cain and Abel must have been made to understand why they worshiped God by faith, while awaiting redemption, as an act of God’s love, mercy and kindness. Their sacrificial worship was a sign and symbol, commemorating the Messiah who will ultimately be sacrificed, and His sinless blood be poured out on the cross, for redemption of mankind. By this time, Cain and Abel would have been clothed in animal skins themselves, and history must have been very close to their hearts while walking and working in these garments. These garments of skin were a stark reminder of their short, but sad history, with a glimmer of hope.

Adam must have also enlightened them about the Messianic Prophecy from God as to “he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel” (Genesis 3:15b), referring to Jesus’ ultimate destruction of the deceptive devil and his angels. The devil continues to steal from, kill and destroy God’s chosen ones. (John 10:10) However, our Loving Father gives us abundant life through Jesus Christ. Out of this redemptive plan came the symbolic sacrificial rituals commemorating God’s amazing, and unfailing love for fallen mankind, whom He still loves. Therefore, every time an animal sacrifice was offered, it was a re-enactment of the entrance of sin, and God’s providential mercy, forgiveness and impending ultimate redemption - a sacred act of devotional worship.

In that light, Cain and Abel brought articles of sacrifice, as a symbol which should denote their underlying devotion and relationship with God. However, as we read in Genesis 4:2-5, while Cain’s offering was rejected, Abel’s was accepted. A close examination of this passage will reveal several principles in operation - three in particular. We will discuss two of them in later chapters.

Genesis 4:2-5

2 Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil.

3 In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord.

4 And Abel also brought an offering - fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering,

5 but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.

The Scriptures reveal that after a period of time, Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil. Notice that it states “some” and not firstfruits. We will discuss more about the principle of the firstfruits in a later chapter. However, Abel brought “fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock”. The fat belongs to God. (Leviticus 3:16) It represents the sacred portion. It also speaks of the tithe which belongs to God.