Economic Symbol
A bronze sculpture of a bull -- symbolic of a strong economy -- stands at the end of Broadway near Wall Street, home of the New York Stock Exchange, in New York City. The bull was sculpted by Italian artist Arturo Di Modica in the aftermath of the 1987 stock market crash, and publicly installed in 1989. (Image by Alexander Naumann from Pixabay)
It has never been clear to me over my lifetime (and I’ve tried to pay attention to and read up on economics) which candidate or which policies will actually stimulate and foster a robust economy. Theologically, a strong economy is a blessing – but not so the wealthy might accrue even more wealth. Our concern and commitments, as Christians, are for those on the lower portions of the financial scales. A strong economy should mean jobs – and jobs mean families are fed and cared for, and also that laborers delight in the fulfillment of work, using their skills, not being ground down by the shame of unemployment or seeking assistance.
I had a great friend and parishioner a couple of decades ago who was a Ph.D. economist, much published – and profoundly Christian. Charlie Ratliff argued for economic systems and policies that would not merely boost (or lower!) obvious numbers like GNP, unemployment, interest rates or the stock market. He believed we could rearrange our economics, over time, to bless the poorest – and not just in America but all around the world.
He was brilliant, and persuasive – even if you’re scoffing in your mind. I adored (and always will) the way he kept his feet, mind and heart planted in Scripture and the words and actions of Jesus, and then wrestled with economic theories, figures and, yes, realities, believing God had arranged this wonderful world so that everyone really could have enough.
He argued compellingly that Christians who are serious about following Christ will vote, not to pad their own pocketbooks, but for whomever they believe will be best for those who are in the greatest need. Sadly, we’ve grown fond of candidates who pander to us. And it’s 100% bipartisan, isn’t it? Vote for me, you’ll have more. Our spiritual antennae should detect something’s awry, and try to probe more deeply for something better in God’s mind and heart.
Economics is a topic that should remind Christians to refrain from ever bragging that they take the Bible literally, or that the Bible is their sole authority. The Old Testament envisions a great many things we would never enact – like the Jubilee year. Leviticus (which people quote on some matters as definitive!), chapter 25 (part of God’s law given to Moses on Mt. Sinai, like the Ten Commandments!) requires that every 50 years, there is to be a radical economic re-set. All debts are forgiven. All property, however it’s been traded over five decades, is returned to its original owners. Indentured laborers and slaves are set free. Sort of a mass levelling, evidently to avoid any kind of caste system, or a pyramid where a few are rich and many are poorer.
Jesus is even tougher. I don’t believe he was joking when he said “Do not lay up treasure on earth” (Matthew 6), or when he suggested that laborers who worked all day in a vineyard should be paid the same as those who rolled in for just the last hour (Matthew 20); they all were to be paid one denarius, which is precisely what a family needed to live for one day. Jesus wanted everyone to have enough, and seemed to have a kind of holy scorn or pity for the wealthy, who were the least likely to hear his message and follow in his way.
With the Bible being in such a mood about economics, what is the Christian to think about our common slogan (originating with Bill Clinton?), “It’s the economy, stupid”? Jesus might say Amen, reminding us that the question (originating with Ronald Reagan?) “Are you better off than you were four years ago?” is a great one; but maybe we bend it toward “Are you better off in your soul and holy living than you were four years ago?” – and if we’re thinking of the economy, “Are others? Are the poor better off than they were four years ago?”
The Rev. James C. Howell is senior pastor of Myers Park United Methodist Church in Charlotte, N.C. This post is republished with permission from his blog.