THE COMING KINGDOM ECONOMY
Thursday, 29. October 2009, 17:23:51
The Coming Kingdom Economy
Kriston Couchey
KINGDOM ECONOMY
Acts 4:31-32 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.
It is no coincidence that when the Holy Spirit was poured out mightily in the early church, people relinquished their right to ownership and control of possessions. The kingdom economy was in motion. Previous to this outpouring, the Law established and maintained ownership rights and made giving a religious duty that compelled people to give. But, in the kingdom, the Rule of the Spirit released love in those who chose to be living sacrifices. These gave all to God, even their rights of ownership and control. This unreserved giving manifests when the kingdom has sway in the hearts of men.
Today some approach the subject of kingdom economics out of the mind of the flesh. They are held back by a "rule of law" mindset. Earthly governments and commerce systems exist based on the need for the rule of law in an age of lawlessness. The coming fullness of the kingdom of God is based upon the rule of the King in an age of righteousness, joy, and peace. His Law is: "Love one another as I have loved you."
A worldly understanding of the nature of kingdom of God in general has fostered misconceptions of the nature of kingdom economics. One great misconception is the idea that free market capitalism is a basis of the coming kingdom economy. The coming kingdom economy is not based on a system of commerce. It is an economy of Love.
Acts 2:44-45 All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.
CAPITALISM
There are many definitions of capitalism, but the basic definition of capitalism can be defined as: The private ownership and control of capital. Capital is: money, goods, or assets used in the production of wealth.
Free market capitalism has served to enrich a broad spectrum of society with provision and wealth. Capitalism has been used by God to further the gospel and support those proclaiming the truth of Jesus Christ. But, capitalism is not the basis of kingdom economics. To be sure, socialism, communism, fascism, and totalitarianism are not kingdom concepts either.
Kibbutz living in Israel has been the voluntary relinquishing of ownership and control of capital by a community or society. Communal living is not more godly or ungodly then free market capitalism, and not a basis for the kingdom economy either. The kingdom of God is "righteousness, joy, and peace in the Holy Spirit. The basis of the kingdom is a state of being that is found in the Holy Spirit, not a system of commerce.
An example of systems of operation being used by God for His own purposes was Pax Romana (the enforced peace of Rome). Pax Romana was not the basis for the kingdom of God, but God used this man enforced system of peace to be a uniting force that made the Gospel spread faster and farther. Like Pax Romana, capitalism has been a temporary tool used to bless people in an age of the rule of law in earthly governments.
Even the socialist agenda of many governments today will serve to further propel the kingdom as sons and daughters of God learn to receive their provision from God in hard economic times. These must quickly learn the economy of the kingdom which is not based on free market capitalism, or socialism, but on the economy of the Divine Provision by the Spirit of God.
CITIZENS OF THE KINGDOM
As citizens of the kingdom, we don't trust in or promote Pax Romana or capitalism as the answer for mankind. These are passing systems that served to bring stability during the fleeting time of fallen men's interactions with fallen men. The age of the rule of law under which these systems have functioned is quickly giving way to the Age of the Rule of the Spirit, the kingdom Age in which God is all in all. The economy of that kingdom is Love. The systems of men will crumble and give way to the kingdom reign of Christ within the hearts of individuals. It's time to establish the kingdom, which is the rule of the Spirit within the hearts of men that makes them by nature giving and law abiding.
CAPITALIZING SPIRITUAL REALITIES
Paul did not put a price tag on his hit series “Corinthians”. There were no copyrights or royalty fees for people to use psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs in early church meetings. But now, many things birthed of the Spirit have a price tag. The merchandisers in the temple were not much different than the sellers of spiritual things today. No one seemed to have any qualms about the services provided for a fee in the temple except Jesus. In the kingdom economy you are going to see the world's way of doing business in the church end, no more merchandising in the temple (the church) the things of the Spirit.
Using the term "kingdom business" has become a fad in Christianity. In some cases it is used to coerce people to partake in business investments and even multilevel marketing done in the name of God for a profit. We must in this hour recognize what truly is of God's kingdom and what is just another repackaged moneymaking scheme.
Where the Spirit is the Lord there is liberty. Liberty to express the nature of Christ within His people in whatever fashion most reflects His heart. As the kingdom economy emerges, there will be regions of communities that are of one mind voluntarily sharing all with each other, relinquishing ownership and control of possessions. There will also be private individuals that also provide abundance of shelter and provision for others. But all commerce will be rooted and grounded in Love.
If you are interested in reading more of the divine realities of the kingdom found in Christ you may download the book: "Breaking the Mold" for FREE at:
http://breakingthemoldonline.net/
Kriston Couchey
Kriston Couchey
KINGDOM ECONOMY
Acts 4:31-32 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.
It is no coincidence that when the Holy Spirit was poured out mightily in the early church, people relinquished their right to ownership and control of possessions. The kingdom economy was in motion. Previous to this outpouring, the Law established and maintained ownership rights and made giving a religious duty that compelled people to give. But, in the kingdom, the Rule of the Spirit released love in those who chose to be living sacrifices. These gave all to God, even their rights of ownership and control. This unreserved giving manifests when the kingdom has sway in the hearts of men.
Today some approach the subject of kingdom economics out of the mind of the flesh. They are held back by a "rule of law" mindset. Earthly governments and commerce systems exist based on the need for the rule of law in an age of lawlessness. The coming fullness of the kingdom of God is based upon the rule of the King in an age of righteousness, joy, and peace. His Law is: "Love one another as I have loved you."
A worldly understanding of the nature of kingdom of God in general has fostered misconceptions of the nature of kingdom economics. One great misconception is the idea that free market capitalism is a basis of the coming kingdom economy. The coming kingdom economy is not based on a system of commerce. It is an economy of Love.
Acts 2:44-45 All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.
CAPITALISM
There are many definitions of capitalism, but the basic definition of capitalism can be defined as: The private ownership and control of capital. Capital is: money, goods, or assets used in the production of wealth.
Free market capitalism has served to enrich a broad spectrum of society with provision and wealth. Capitalism has been used by God to further the gospel and support those proclaiming the truth of Jesus Christ. But, capitalism is not the basis of kingdom economics. To be sure, socialism, communism, fascism, and totalitarianism are not kingdom concepts either.
Kibbutz living in Israel has been the voluntary relinquishing of ownership and control of capital by a community or society. Communal living is not more godly or ungodly then free market capitalism, and not a basis for the kingdom economy either. The kingdom of God is "righteousness, joy, and peace in the Holy Spirit. The basis of the kingdom is a state of being that is found in the Holy Spirit, not a system of commerce.
An example of systems of operation being used by God for His own purposes was Pax Romana (the enforced peace of Rome). Pax Romana was not the basis for the kingdom of God, but God used this man enforced system of peace to be a uniting force that made the Gospel spread faster and farther. Like Pax Romana, capitalism has been a temporary tool used to bless people in an age of the rule of law in earthly governments.
Even the socialist agenda of many governments today will serve to further propel the kingdom as sons and daughters of God learn to receive their provision from God in hard economic times. These must quickly learn the economy of the kingdom which is not based on free market capitalism, or socialism, but on the economy of the Divine Provision by the Spirit of God.
CITIZENS OF THE KINGDOM
As citizens of the kingdom, we don't trust in or promote Pax Romana or capitalism as the answer for mankind. These are passing systems that served to bring stability during the fleeting time of fallen men's interactions with fallen men. The age of the rule of law under which these systems have functioned is quickly giving way to the Age of the Rule of the Spirit, the kingdom Age in which God is all in all. The economy of that kingdom is Love. The systems of men will crumble and give way to the kingdom reign of Christ within the hearts of individuals. It's time to establish the kingdom, which is the rule of the Spirit within the hearts of men that makes them by nature giving and law abiding.
CAPITALIZING SPIRITUAL REALITIES
Paul did not put a price tag on his hit series “Corinthians”. There were no copyrights or royalty fees for people to use psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs in early church meetings. But now, many things birthed of the Spirit have a price tag. The merchandisers in the temple were not much different than the sellers of spiritual things today. No one seemed to have any qualms about the services provided for a fee in the temple except Jesus. In the kingdom economy you are going to see the world's way of doing business in the church end, no more merchandising in the temple (the church) the things of the Spirit.
Using the term "kingdom business" has become a fad in Christianity. In some cases it is used to coerce people to partake in business investments and even multilevel marketing done in the name of God for a profit. We must in this hour recognize what truly is of God's kingdom and what is just another repackaged moneymaking scheme.
Where the Spirit is the Lord there is liberty. Liberty to express the nature of Christ within His people in whatever fashion most reflects His heart. As the kingdom economy emerges, there will be regions of communities that are of one mind voluntarily sharing all with each other, relinquishing ownership and control of possessions. There will also be private individuals that also provide abundance of shelter and provision for others. But all commerce will be rooted and grounded in Love.
If you are interested in reading more of the divine realities of the kingdom found in Christ you may download the book: "Breaking the Mold" for FREE at:
http://breakingthemoldonline.net/
Kriston Couchey
WIDGETIZE
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