Kingdom Economics | Religious People don't...

Yes, it's true! Religious people don't... "They" don't usually declare the complete truth about God and His Word.

This issue started in the garden... Genesis 3:4, "But the serpent said to the woman, You shall not surely die, 5 For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing the difference between good and evil and blessing and calamity." (AMP) (For your own benefit, I suggest you read Chapter 3 from the beginning).

The verses quoted above clearly show how the devil cast a net of doubt and deception regarding Eve's true identity. Satan said, "...your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God..." Adam and Eve were already created in the image and likeness of God. This question brought definite doubt and unbelief into Eve's heart about her real identity.

The Bible is full of prophetic types, shadows, and images. Here in Genesis 3 Eve represents a picture of the coming Church of the New Testament. And so, even today, the Church doubts her legitimate identity in Christ. The apostle Paul states in 2 Corinthians 11:3, "But [now] I am fearful, lest that even as the serpent beguiled Eve by his cunning, so your minds may be corrupted and seduced from wholehearted and sincere and pure devotion to Christ. (AMP)

Paul is very clear about the "corruption" of the mind. Religious mindsets can easily "corrupt" and confuse godly thinking patterns if we are not alert in the spirit. Our minds are the centre of our thoughts, and, as we think, so are we (Proverbs 23:7). In Romans 12:1-2 Paul is adamant about the renewing of our minds. It is imperative for us to renew our minds to, what I term, "New Creation Realities." We must renew our minds to our real identity in Christ, not religion!

Religion is figleaf faith...

In Genesis 3:7 we read, "...and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves apronlike girdles." Fig trees and figleaves are Biblical symbols of religion and religious behaviour. Religion is man's effort to try and please God. Adam and Eve thought they could "please God" by covering their shame with figleaves - their own efforts.

Religion has tainted the way we think about economics...

Now, the actual theme of this lesson involves the matter of "Kingdom Economics." No other subject from the Bible has suffered more from the negative influence of religious concepts and dogma than this topic. Over the centuries sincere and honest believers have offered their opinions and teachings about the evils of wealth and prosperity. And, even though most were, and today still are, very sincere in their motives, they've mixed in religious ideas and theories.

These opinions and concepts are basically nothing more than religious "figleaf" ideas about how economics is really supposed to work. The reason the Church has come up with so many erroneous economic "principles" is because we generally don't understand how God sees this and what He thinks about it.

Is money really the root of all evil?

For instance, you and I often hear this statement; "Money is the root of all evil..." If this were true, then there is no hope for any of us... We all do some form of work in order to receive money, so we can take care of ourselves and our families. The verse in 1 Timothy 6:10 actually begins with:

"For the love of money is the root of all evil" (AMP)

"Lust for money brings trouble and nothing but trouble..." (Message)

So, if great wealth was a real problem to God, then most of the patriarchs such as Abraham, Solomon, and others were in deep trouble. Biblical history records that in his time, Job was the greatest and wealthiest man in his region - known as "the East" (modern-day northern Arabia or Edom). His wealth was based on a massive agricultural empire. We are told God "blessed the work of Job's hands, and his possessions have increased in the land" (Job 1:10).

These verses may bring thoughts into our hearts which sound similar to the conversation Jesus and His disciples had in Mark 10:25 & 26:

"It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. And they were shocked and exceedingly astonished, and said to Him and to one another, Then who can be saved?" (AMP)

Jesus then remarked, "...with men [it is] impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God" Mark 10:27. (AMP)

Conclusion...

This thought concludes today's lesson. I'm sure I've piqued your interest sufficiently so you already look forward to the next edition.

We will then continue to explore "Kingdom Economics" in greater depth.

In the Love and Grace of Christ
Jan van Rooyen


Receive lessons like this in your Inbox: Join Kingdom Lifestyle News

Previous Page | Top of Page