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Trace Blakley
Forum 3 expanded
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“What is the responsibility of Christians with regards to economic development, leadership within the community, and the mandates of the Gospel?”
“Our principal collaborator must be God. We must operate in a way that is consistent with his written word, the Holy Bible” (McDonald, 2016). As Christians we must be accountable to God, then man as substantiated by 2 Corinthians 8:2-5. Partnerships should be carefully chosen and made with those that will create the best outcomes for everyone. Acts 5:1-11 is a reminder to be aware of motives and our integrity. We should not be motivated by money or greed, but the well-being of others. Maintaining integrity will assure the trust and respect of the community we serve. Economic development should occur in prosperous and disadvantaged communities and meet the needs of everyone in the community. We are called to be good stewards. Economic development success is measured by the quality and the need of the implemented initiative (McDonald, 2016). Economic development must be concerned with both people and place utilizing existing resources to preserve and increase standards of living (Leigh & Blakely, 2017). “Fundamentals for local economic development planning: entrepreneurial, green, culturally adaptive, and knowledge-based strategies” (Leigh & Blakely, 2017). Christians are called to be innovative by utilizing resources responsibly to create jobs and improve the lives of others. Economic planning must conserve natural resources through restoration and provide adequate education assuring a sufficient and sustaining workforce.
Leaders are responsible for the coordination of local economic development processes and the strategic plan that requires fiscal resources, technical expertise, leadership, and imagination (Leigh & Blakely, 2017). As a leader within an organization you exist to serve individuals and operate in their best interest as commanded by Acts 20:35, Luke 6:35-36, Matthew 6, Proverbs 29:7, and James 1:26-27. As Christian Leaders the focus is on doing the right thing without expectation of acknowledgment. Leaders must encourage a self-help mentality within their community while focusing on equity and inclusivity as commanded in Romans 12:13. Communities cannot survive on handouts or independence. Leaders must assure that all plans, policies, and actions raise the standard of living, reduce the inequality between people and places, and are environmentally friendly or environmentally improving (Leigh & Blakely, 2017). God commands us to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share (1 Timothy 6:18, NIV). It is important to consider the past and present, but we must look to the future and place current and short-term community interest and needs in the context of a long-term perspective on community revitalization and independence (Leigh & Blakely, 2017). Leaders must realize that our actions today will impact future generations and make decisions that will serve all generations well. In accordance with 1 John 3:17-18 Christian leaders exist to serve others and must demonstrate credibility though transparency and honest assessment.
The gospel and churches have always been a part of economic development. Churches are called into existence by God to improve living conditions reminding us we are one body belonging to each other and are to share our gifts generously (Romans 12:4-12:8, NIV). A church can be vital in addressing poverty, inequality, unemployment, and the development or strengthening of faith. I would like to see more church involvement in society including a return to public schools and government. There should not be a separation between human and biblical needs. The church aids by finding solutions to social problems, providing care for the sick and the poor, and moves people closer to God and our God given purpose. Churches spread God’s word, provide security, reinforce humanity, and create disciples. A biblical perspective of economic development is proactive encouraging love for your neighbor and a humane life for all.
Leigh, N. G., & Blakely, E. J. (2017). Planning Local Economic Development: Theory and Practice (6th ed.). Thousand Oaks, California: Sage.
McDonald, O. M. (2016). Collaborative Stewardship: An Analytical Approach to Improving Quality of Life in Communities. Suffolk, VA: Grace House Publishing.
Alexis Bates
Discussion 3
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Alexis Bates
Economic development is the process by which a nation or community improves the economic, political, and social well-being of its people. This definition relates to numerous scriptures throughout the Holy Bible. Simply, because it takes the mind state of a Christian to economically develop a community efficiently and effectively. Each one of us is born into a unique set of circumstances also, each person in every generation is called to take existing resources and create more. We know we are called to use our creativity and God-given purpose to leave the world a better place. Economists call this economic growth. As Christians, we know this is tied to flourishing.
Personally, I think it is important to maximize on the correlation of poverty, economic development and scripture. For, addressing poverty is major in the Bible and in economic growth. Christian’s responsibility in the economy is to help the poor and try to bring up to the standards of the economy to equilibrium. Furthermore, the bible addresses Christians to labor while still remembering the poor. Christian are urged to distribute their wealth to others who are in need among the community; 1 Timothy 6:18 "That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate". In this scripture Paul teaches the concept of wealth. Wealthy believers are "to be rich in good works." They are not only to "do" good, but were also to be "rich" in good works, meaning their good works should be numerous or abundant. Just as being "rich" involves having a great quantity of money, being "rich in good works" should mean a constant, abundant emphasis on doing good for others. Paul expected wealthy Christians to use their influence to give back and to help others. For the Christian, money is never to be gained simply for the sake of having more money. It is always meant to be used for the glory of God. Furthermore, a successful strategy of poverty reduction must have at its core measures to promote rapid and sustained economic growth. The challenge for policy is to combine growth. As well as promoting policies with policies that allow the poor to participate fully in the opportunities unleashed and so contribute to that growth. This includes policies to make labor markets work better, remove gender inequalities and increase financial inclusion (Zhang, Wang, Liu, Chai & Wei, 2019).
In addition, as wealth occurs, Christians are also urged to pay taxes which is also a concept in the economy. Christians further take care not only the less fortunate but everyone including themselves, in the community by paying taxes. The importance of work and paying taxes plays a significant role in economic growth. Biblically speaking it keeps the economy safe as well. For example, taxes pay for an army, to protect against foreign invaders; police force, to protect against domestic criminals and a court system, to settle honest disputes that arise, and to punish criminals according to objectively predefined laws (Taylor, 2019). These tax incentives keep God’s children safe as well as open job opportunities for his people.
Also, the bible talks about the employer oppressing the poor and it highly condemns that. Aadministrators and leaders should keep this in mind. Employees should be paid good salaries to enable them lead a better life and they will also build the economy when their purchasing power is high due to good payment 2 Corinthians 8:2-5 “2for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3For they gave j according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 4begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— 5and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us”. As Christians we should be compassionate to each other and give support where needed to better develop the economy in God’s point of view.
References:
Taylor, M. (2019). Forcing the Wealthy to Pay Their Fair Share? The Politics of Rural Taxes in 17th-Century Ottoman Damascus. Journal of the Economic and Social History of the Orient, 62(1), 35-66. https://doi.org/10.1163/15685209-12341474
The Bible. KJV.
Zhang, H., Wang, Z., Liu, J., Chai, J., & Wei, C. (2019). Selection of targeted poverty alleviation policies from the perspective of land resources-environmental carrying capacity. Journal of Rural Studies. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrurstud.2019.02.01Bottom of Form
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