Torch, Spring/Summer 2009

Spring–Summer 2009 | TORCH 3 Poor Dr. Stiles. I know how he feels. No matter how much I learn about the economy, it seems I always have more questions. In fact, sometimes the information only makes me more confused! Still, it seems the fundamentals of the economy should be understandable. In the 1993 movie Dave , stand-in president Dave Kovic brings to the White House a CPA friend who solves the government budgeting problems in one evening using basic accounting principles and common sense. And we nod our heads at how simple it should be. If only it were that easy! Unfortunately, most of us realize there’s a lot more going on than poor money management. From a broad perspective, we know that … The basics of an economy are the same for every society. In one sense, a society’s economy reflects its individuals on a larger scale. The word “economy” is derived from the Greek term meaning “household management.” Regardless of a society’s worldview, the basics are the same: the economy is a description of how people try to fulfill their needs and wants. Unlimited desires are challenged by limited resources. Since the same basic truths that govern our own handling of money are also true for a society … The economy reflects the values of a society. Values arise from worldviews and then become reality in our behavior. A nation’s economy is driven by how well the people uphold the values of caring for the poor, promoting justice, and providing stability. We’ve come a long way. From trading furs to trading stocks, the economic environment of the world has propelled societies to either greater freedoms or greater slavery. But we cannot forget who is really in control of everything, since … God is sovereign over the economy. Most explanations of the economy leave out two crucial theological truths: God’s intervention and human sinfulness. Interestingly, the Bible has more to say about our handling of money than just about any other subject. Why? Because, as Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt. 6:21). God is far more interested in our hearts — our affections and intentions — than in the amount of money we handle. The most important offering in the Bible was less than a penny (Luke 21:1–3). In a recent Cedarville chapel service, we were reminded that the financial collapse of 1857 resulted first in panic and then in widespread prayer meetings. The national revival of 1857–58 owes much of its breadth to the loss of security and confidence the average person had in the economy. For such a financial calamity to occur, people were convinced God was trying to get their attention. Fast-forward to 2009. Is God trying to get our attention? T Dr. Bill Brown became president of Cedarville University in June 2003. A graduate of the University of South Florida, Brown holds a Th.M. and Ph.D. from Dallas Theological Seminary. As a nationally recognized worldview expert, he has authored three worldview-related books and is the executive producer of the worldview study re:View ( www.re-films.com) . Read his blog at www.cedarville.edu/president .