Topic: Economics
Biblical Stewardship - How Ron Paul's Ideas Support Christian Missions The value of the US dollar is plummeting. The bible clearly calls for "Honest Weights and Measures." When will Christendom awake to the fiscal wisdom of Dr. Ron Paul?by creator
(libertarian)
Sunday, December 9, 2007
♣ A couple of weeks ago I attended the Sunday evening service at a local church. One of the shepherds made a point of commenting on the increasing difficulty of meeting the financial needs of church missionaries serving in Spain.
As the Euro and other foreign currencies progressively eclipse the dollar, how long will the church remain oblivious to the root causes of this phenomenon? I find it quite disheartening to see sincere believers so easily duped by the empty platitudes nominally "Christian" presidential candidates spout. They talk about "Reducing Spiraling Health Care Costs," "Winning the Global Economic Competition," and "Strengthening the Economy."
Only one presidential candidate has the intelligence and integrity to tell the American people exactly what's wrong with our economy -- explaining precisely why the value of the dollar is plummeting -- and that candidate is Dr. Ron Paul.
Ron Paul's clear message is that out of control federal financing of foreign wars with fiat money is the root cause of US dollar woes. Even in the midst of exhausting campaigning on the presidential trail, Dr. Paul is not content to rest and do nothing about it. He recently introduced the "Honest Money Act," so simple even a child could understand it, but so profound that the chairman of the Federal Reserve, Ben Bernanake, is confounded.
There is a popular bumper sticker that reads "We're spending our children's inheritance" and we all chuckle at the sight of it. Sadly, however, that's precisely what the federal government is doing. Every de-novo dollar printed is a deceitful government act extending an all but invisible hand into our personal funds, the exact moral equivalent of bank robbery.
Fellow Christian, are you not aware that this kind of fiscal chicanery is clearly condemned in the bible? Speaking of commercial transactions, scripture says:
"You shall have just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin:" - Lev 19:36
"Thou shalt not steal" is, as we all know, one of the "top ten." We see that on bumper stickers as well, and chuckle when we read the punchline; "- the government hates competition." Why is it, then, that we do not regularly hear Ron Paul's clear message thundered from pulpits across the land? How long will we let dishonest politicians rob us blind? How long will the Lord allow it?
The effect on the church of the federal government creating "money" from thin air is this: the state is reaching into church coffers and taking funds devoted to missions or charity, usurping them for its own questionable ends.
I'll save Dr. Paul's plans for the IRS for another essay, as the result of congregations suddenly having ALL of their earnings at their own disposal should need no explaining!
Like the chill winter of Narnia in the C. S. Lewis story "The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe," a dismal season of ignorance and apathy blew into our land in 1913. That was the year when the "Federal" Reserve bank was established, and the genesis of the "income" tax.
It is long past time for a thaw! It is long past time for Christendom to wake up to the truth, listen to the teaching of the scriptures and of Ron Paul, and demand a return to honest money in the United States!
Copyright (c) 2007 by Dann McCreary (aka creator) - Permission to copy with attribution granted.
Postscript: In response to the kind comments of madzebra (below,) I merely wish to mention that (typically) my inclusion of scripture references are not meant to be taken as "precisely accurate hermeneutical references" but rather as indicative of the general outlook of the scriptures. Having said that, I believe that I could make a rigorous theological case for Christians to demand fiscal accountability from our government, but I would be more inclined to do so in a scholarly paper.
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Posted By: Walt Thiessen
Date: 2007-12-09 09:24:59
Ron Paul's bill is a good one. I wish I believed that it would solve the "honest money" problem, but it won't all by itself (although it will certainly help). Nothing will really help significantly until the Federal Government is forced to abandon its fiat money system.
Thank you very much...i think this is the type of stuff Christians need to hear. A vote for the other Candidates is a vote for legalizing THEFT & FRAUD. God would not be too pleased.
I think it also needs to be stressed that the Liberty form of Goverenment that Paul is moving toward (what America was supposed to be) is a better atmosphere for true Christianity to spread. If Christian values are just imposed through federal laws (our current system) and that makes us a "Christian Nation" then it's all surface & hypocracy. BUT, if America once again truly became an open market place of ideas, then the most logical and competetive ideas would rise to the top and Christianity would be spread from the ground up (from the thoughtlife of gathered individuals up to the making of local law to reflect that).
This is how the Bible even teaches for Christianity to be spread. We are not mainly to enforce it upon other through federal law. We are to convince individuals of the truth and beauty of Christianity and as it spreads in a market place of ideas, it will be shown to be superior and in THAT way, we would win the culture war.
I am a libertarian-minded conservative Christian. I appreciate the article you wrote, however, I believe that a couple of your Old Testament quotes are out of context. The Lev 19 quote was part of three codices of law for how the Hebrews were to operate (of which the 10 commandments are a part). That law, while just and good, is not a mandate for how we should set up government. I'm certain you wouldn't want to stone recalcitrant children, but that is a part of the law. The context of the Mal 3 quote is in reference to mandated national taxes for the nation of Israel, which were not being paid. Incidentally, this is the basis for "tithes" not being valid for Christians.
To me, the real argument for libertarian policy in government is that it facilitates an environment where Christianity (as well as other religions) can flourish . The problem I have with my Christian brothers (like Huckabee) is that our (Christian) objective is not political and it is not about making Christian laws, but making sure that religious freedoms are protected.
I would rather vote for an atheist who understood and was an adherent of the prinicples of individual freedom and limited government than a Christian who thinks that the laws should reflect his own moral or religious beliefs.
Amen!!! The truth will set us free!! ROn Paul 2008
Psa 15:2 He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart 3. and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman, 4. who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the LORD, who keeps his oath even when it hurts, 5. who lends his money without usury and does not accept a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken. (NkJV Bible)
If the Bible is really the word of God, then it is all true and never changes. Nothing in the Bible, new testament or old contradicts anything else in the Bible. Christ affirmed this with respect to the old testament law when, at Matthew 5:17,18, He declared "For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." Heaven and earth have not yet passed away so the whole law still stands.
This would seem to include, as you put it, the stoning of "recalcitrant children." Actually this "child" is "a stubborn and rebellious," disobedient "glutton, and a drunkard" (Deuteronomy 21:20), in all likelihood a future criminal to be.
God gave these laws to the nation of Israel to make them a great nation (Deut. 4: 7,8). Are we better than they were? Do we have so much wisdom that we know better than God how to make laws for ourselves? Of course not. Rather we have demonstrated our foolishness and our sinfulness in rejecting God's perfect law.
While I appreciate your comment and its addition to this discussion, please consider the following:
There are very clearly laws recorded in scripture that I would classify as "ceremonial," i.e. having primarily symbolic significance. Possibly the clearest of these was the death penalty for gathering sticks on the sabbath. Would you advocate the death penalty for such an "offense" today?
I am inclined to be in greater agreement with madzebra that the most laudable purpose of modern government is the establishment and defense of individual liberty. America is clearly not a theocratic government, nor do I accept theonomist arguments for making it one. I do not believe this implies that I am questioning God's wisdom.
When Jesus was present and responded to those ready to stone the woman caught in adultery, He said "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone."
I believe that Dr. Paul's approach of restoring federal restraints and practices that maximum liberty better honors the intent of our founders, better creates an environment where Christianity can advance, and thus is best in tune with God's moral will in our day.
I am a Christian Reconstructionist (Rushdoony) and a RP supporter. You appear to be arguing against the death penalty. I believe Scripture commands the death penalty for capital crimes such as murder, etc. It was commanded for murder as long as there are 2 or more witnesses. Christ did not abrogate the Law, but upheld it. I agree the ceremonial laws were done away with, but not the moral and punitive laws. Regarding the women caught in adultery, Christ was exposing the hypocrisy of the accusers and not capital punishment for adultery. The accusers were not the government. Apostle Paul says the government is the minister of wrath (sword) for evil doers. I believe in the general equity principle given by the Westminster Confession regarding to God's law. Theonomy means rule by God's law. If not theonomy then by what law and whose law? Religion is inescapable in the areas of crime and punishment. I believe the States should have the most authority in the area of crime and punishment.
Thank you for your response to this article. The followup discussion seems to have drifted rather far afield from the topic of stewardship! :)
As a point of clarification, you have misunderstood my intent. I am most certainly not arguing against the death penalty per se. I was merely intending to clarify my belief that the founders "got it right" by NOT constituting America as a theocracy.
IMHO the only legitimate theocracy ever was ancient Israel, in an age when they had a "direct pipeline" to God. I see no such possibility in the present age, and I expect the next legitimate theocracy to be finalized only with the second coming of Christ. Nevertheless, I have much in common with you and believe that all true law flows from God's law as a very natural consequence of His sovereignty.
Like Dr. Paul, I do however consider the death penalty to be outside of federal constitutional jurisdiction, and thus one of the governmental powers reserved to the individual states.
Some good responses here...thanks for the three demensional insights from madzebra and creator...you guys sound like you have you lights on.
Lou buddy, are you saying that we should prejudge individuals by their actions as children? Puttin out the trash a bit early aren't you? (This would seem to include, as you put it, the stoning of "recalcitrant children." Actually this "child" is "a stubborn and rebellious," disobedient "glutton, and a drunkard" (Deuteronomy 21:20), in all likelihood a future criminal to be.) Maybe the guy would end up, with a bit of grace, as a great president....or at least a passable TV chef....
Ilove the way some folks hammer scripture onto there temporal ideas....like sheets of silver over wooden idols...very creative. But isn't it the intent of God that we use scripture to renew our minds rather than to verify our own slants on economics or politics?
I've read a lot of stuff by folks trying to validate monetary reform with scripture and most it just dangles like the crippled legs of an invalid. They are in the right place...and look like they might even work.
My question is all of this just endemic to a country that like my own here in Canada has largely lost sight of God as a reality at a deep spiritual level in it's indidviduals personal lives? If we hadn't largely relinquished our place of power...which as beleivers is always that of prayer, not political action, would we even have to confront these issues at all? We are under judgement as nations here in the west not becuase of our politics or monetary policies (indeed these things and the cold heartedness of our leaders are part orf god's judgement) but because we have lost sight of our own personal purposes and places with Christ. Is it a mystery that so many churches preach some wierd mix of monetary blashemey like the 'prosperity gospel' and then watch as our secular rulers take us by the wallet and squeeze?
We don't have to be so complex. We do not need more political or economic sophistication. In our simplicity in Christ we should tower above these things. If we did those things that our forfathers did in thier personal walks with Christ we'd again be able to distinguish between how god deals with his people corperately as nations verses how he deals with us individually as children. In truth we have the rulers we deserve in this day. When we go into a voting booth and pull the curtain we can't fix that. But when we go into our deserted prayer closets and, close the door and honestly ask god to show us why haven't been there lately, our nations our gonna once again take the place of blessing god gives to those who truly AND PERSONALLY acknowledge him.
How must he feel when we march and wave placards about prayer in our schools but have forsaken prayer in our own lives personally. Is he pleased when we sign petitions about statues of the word of god being removed from our courtroom lobbies when we've removed his word from the lobbies of our own hearts?
"If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face (first), and turn from their wicked ways, then i will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." II Chron. 7:14
Cheers Peeps :-)
Thanks for your response. I believe there is a misunderstanding about theocracy. Theocracy is a government that is ruled by God's law and Godly men. For us it is the Christian God. In the OT there was a loose confederacy of tribes that were supposedly ruled by God's law (Judges). Then came the Monarchy that was supposedly ruled by God's law in spite of God's severe warning of being slaves to the State.
In the US we have a Constitutional Republic that should be reclaimed by Christians and still have great liberty and freedom for everyone including non believers. Otherwise, what would be the religion of the public square that would guide the Constitution? Today it is secularism and humanism which both are religion. What we all don't want is ecclesiacracy - rule by the church. It was disastrous all through history.
I agree with sonboy85 that we deserved what we got. and salvation by politics is very dangerous and will not work. It must be from bottom up through regeneration (revival and reformation) and not revolution in a literal sense (force). God's judgment begins within the house of God.
Back to Biblical stewardship. If churches were to heed the admonishment in Malachi - why are you robbing me? - and faithfully start tithing then the church would be the most powerful institution on earth in influencing the world with the gospel and providing for needs. We would not have the welfare State. Either the State or the Church would be the instrument in providing for welfare. Sadly, today it is the all powerful State (Federal Govt) which is unbiblical.
This article is atrocious. Not only does it demostrate a lack of knowledge about how money works (or even what it is), but proposes that the Bible actually has something relevant to say about it (which is the author's cheif fallacy, an unstated major premise that the Bible is at least mostly applicable to the situation). Fiat money is crucial to the modern, standarized monitary system and economic growth we have today (so really it is in fact a "just" measure after all in that $1 always equals $1 instead of different banks issuing different dollars worth different amounts).
The reason noone uses a gold standard is because it doesn't work. There isn't enough gold to meet the growing demand for money. (Yes, money is a commodity just like everything else in the market.) Although to be honest our currency is actually backed by gold; you can take your dollars and buy gold if you wanted to. In fact, anything you can pay for with dollars backs up their value (so the dollar is also backed by cars, gasoline, canned food, etc).
To continue, the end of the article which took some random Bible verses and skewed them to support some bizarre (and convoluted) modern notion of biblical stewardship is ridiculous. There's nothing dishonest about the Federal Reserve or the income tax or fiat money and God has nothing to do with any of it. (Although it does seem dishonest to misrepresent this as a religious issue when it's not.)
That being said, spending billions of dollars on foreign wars and injecting more and more money into a market already saturated with cash is most certainly an unsound economic policy. That's really the cause of the economic problems the US has been experiencing recently (in adddion to 9/11 which thankfully didn't cause as much of a stir as was feared at the time). But adding more downward price pressure to the dollar would only make things worse.
I agree with most parts of your post. However, for most people, including many economists, "how money works and what it is" is not a question they can answer, even though they all work their behind off to try to get more of it every day.
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