God's Commandments and Economics

[InJesusItrust]

So many times in the OT it states that God blesses nations that keep His commandments with prosperity. Now when I see Western Nations, formerly Christians, I have stumbled upon a link between the commandments and economic success. Here is something that I wrote in my journal:

“No one is going to accept this, but I believe morality does influence economies. People engage in speculative spending because they are greedy. Property rates and standards of living are affected by the values and behaviors of a society. Governments do foolish populist things because people are envious. Scandals tend to kick off recessions. Free trade does not work because nations do not love their neighbors. The greatest mistake of modern wisdom is that it misses the spiritual dimension to things.”

What are your thoughts on this?

 

[DexUK]

I think there’s some truth in it, although I would say that free trade can equalise nations and the prospects of individuals, as the resources of the rich spread into the poorer parts of the world and gradually improve their lot - just look at China: it used to be desperately poor, but by their standards, life is a lot better now, at least materially, even if it’s not perfect by our standards. I would say that free trade is a leveller, eventually.

 

[JRKH]

So many times in the OT it states that God blesses nations that keep His commandments with prosperity. Now when I see Western Nations, formerly Christians, I have stumbled upon a link between the commandments and economic success. Here is something that I wrote in my journal:

“No one is going to accept this, but I believe morality does influence economies. People engage in speculative spending because they are greedy. Property rates and standards of living are affected by the values and behaviors of a society. Governments do foolish populist things because people are envious. Scandals tend to kick off recessions. Free trade does not work because nations do not love their neighbors. The greatest mistake of modern wisdom is that it misses the spiritual dimension to things.”

What are your thoughts on this?

I think that you put it succinctly and very well.

Peace
James

 

[JRKH]

I think there’s some truth in it, although I would say that free trade can equalise nations and the prospects of individuals, as the resources of the rich spread into the poorer parts of the world and gradually improve their lot - just look at China: it used to be desperately poor, but by their standards, life is a lot better now, at least materially, even if it’s not perfect by our standards. I would say that free trade is a leveller, eventually.

I agree with this - and I think the OP would too (correct me if I’m wrong) - I think what is being said is that the reason free trade does not work is because we do not love our neighbors. Increase our Love for our neighbor and free trade will work much better.

At least that is how I read it…

Peace
James

 

[InJesusItrust]

I agree with this - and I think the OP would too (correct me if I’m wrong) - I think what is being said is that the reason free trade does not work is because we do not love our neighbors. Increase our Love for our neighbor and free trade will work much better.

At least that is how I read it…

Peace
James

This.

 

[JRKH]

This.

Thanks…Glad I got it right.

After I had posted - I got to thinking that if “Love of neighbor” is at our core then trade would necessarily need to be free trade for “restricted” trade would be contrary to that law of Love.

Of course I’m not an economist type so I may have zero understanding of what I’m talking about here…

Peace
James