No Free Lunch: Economics for a Fallen World: Third Edition, Revised

Chapter One: Introduction to Economics 20 outlines the blessings of following God for the nation of Israel, as well as the curses for disobedience—Israel is called to “choose life. ” Joshua likewise admonished the Israelites to choose whom they would serve, the LORD, or the gods of the Egyptians. Jesus calls us to choose to pick up our cross and follow after him. In the description of our eternal destiny, we are told to choose Heaven or Hell—streets of gold or a lake of fire. We will choose either the wide gate that leads to destruction or the narrow gate that leads to life. Choice is also essential to the Biblical process of sanctification, as we are conformed to the image of Christ. We are constantly faced with choices. Will we, by the spirit, put to death the deeds of the body? Will we follow our flesh? The choice (and the consequences) is up to us, even though completely enabled by the power of the Holy Spirit. Our life in Christ is commonly referred to in the New Testament as our “walk, ” where we moment by moment choose to walk by the spirit or walk by our flesh. And of course the necessary condition of coming to and walking with Christ is repentance—acknowledging our sin and choosing to turn to God. God allows choice in the exercise of our stewardship—we are free to be poor stewards or good stewards. But we will individually be held accountable. A free market system allows participants to choose, and Christians have the choice to either serve their flesh or to serve God in their choices. Other economic systems do not allow this choice (over at least the use of economic resources). Yet the freedom to do good or bad seems inextricably linked to our becoming conformed to the image of Christ— our sanctification. How does this look in application? Consider Ecclesiastes 11:1 and Proverbs 11:24 respectively: Cast your bread on the surface of the waters, for you will find it after many days. There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more, Both of these verses presuppose that we have material possessions to give—that we have stewardship responsibilities. But they both also hold out a promise: if you step out in faith, you will be rewarded. God promises to be generous with those who are generous. From a worldly perspective, we can’t see how giving up wealth can lead to prosperity, but God promises it can—when we are exercising stewardship according to his will . 1 As we cast our bread upon the waters, we are forced to take a giant leap of faith—faith that what God says is true, even though we can’t see how. While there are obviously many areas of life that we must become sanctified in through our choices (such as how we treat others, how we worship God in spirit and truth, etc.), the exercise of godly stewardship of our resources is often one of the most difficult. An economic system that allows us to willingly give up what we have the freedom to keep fits well with God’s plan for choice. Doing good in God’s economy only matters if we have the freedom to do bad. Doing good in God’s only matters if we have the freedom to do bad .