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

No Free Lunch: preface and acknowledgments viii lead to a successful life. Proverbs should not be viewed as something that happens in all situations, but rather gives principles that are generally applicable. In His sovereignty, God may choose to direct outcomes that seemingly go against the principles of Sowing and Reaping (e.g., what happened to Job). While the principles still apply, the blessings and positive outcomes may be delayed. In some cases, the promises of God are fulfilled in eternity, as we see in the description of many of the Patriarchs in Hebrews 11: “ 13 All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. 15 And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.” This passage helps illustrate how the “health and wealth” gospel goes awry. God does want our best (Romans 8:28) , but sometimes the best thing for us is not prosperity and health in this world. Jesus tells us in this world we will have tribulation, but take heart, because he has overcome the world. The reader of this book should embrace the practice of applied biblical wisdom, confident that this will lead to God’s blessings on his or her life. Nevertheless, we should be under no illusion or false doctrine that God’s best for us is blessing in the here and now; His blessing will certainly come in eternity. As we see at the end of the hall of heroes of the faith… “ 32 And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, 33 who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35 Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; 36 and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated 38 (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground. 39 And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 because God had provided something better for us, so that apart fromus they would not be made perfect.” (Hebrews 11:32-40) Scripture will be applied in at least four ways in subsequent chapters. First, Scripture will be used for examples of the application of economic principles—not necessarily