Building a strong economy Principles from the Book of Genesis

The Bible is one story that points to Jesus as the creator of life and Saviour of mankind. From its first pages, the main arc of the story is laid out. In the book of Genesis, the theme of creation, sin and decay, and recreation is clearly shown. A consistent reader of the Bible will see these themes played out throughout the Bible while an astute observer of society will see the same themes played out all the time. Something wonderful is established, say a park for kids to play in, but before long it is littered with trash, miscreants deface the property, and it becomes a den for drug dealing. A while later, a group of concerned citizens form and decide to do something about it, they clean it up, repaint it, appoint a committee to police its affairs, and the park is restored. Creation, sin, recreation. Over and over, we see this played out.

In the same way, across the world, we are seeing the damaging effects of economic corruption. To recreate our economic lives, the Bible offers several excellent points. From the book of Genesis, we see a number of these.

KENYATTA E. LEWIS

Kenyatta Lewis is the pastor of Harvest Bible Chapel, a growing church committed to taking followers of Jesus deeper and going further in their faith. Besides loving, serving, and helping people he has watched the extended Director’s cut of the Lord of the Rings trilogy multiple times.

Stewardship of ResourcesGenesis 1:28 describes God's command to Adam and Eve to "be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth." These verses teach us that we have a responsibility to care for and manage the resources that God has given us. Any economic development plan should prioritize stewardship of resources and work towards sustainable development that preserves the environment for future generations.

The Value of Hard WorkGenesis 2:15 tells us that "The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to till it and keep it." This verse teaches us the value of hard work and the importance of taking responsibility for our own lives and livelihoods. National economic policies should encourage a strong work ethic and provide opportunities for people to develop their skills and talents in order to contribute to the community.

The Importance of Planning and Preparation - Genesis 41:3436 tells the story of Joseph, who interpreted Pharaoh's dreams and advised him to prepare for a coming famine by storing grain during the years of abundance. As a nation, it is important to be forward-thinking and prioritize long-term sustainability. Efforts should be undertaken now to design and implement plans for the sustainability of all of those who live in this nation.

Honesty and Integrity in Business - Genesis 23 tells the story of Abraham purchasing a burial site for his wife Sarah from the Hittites. This transaction was conducted with honesty and integrity, with both parties agreeing on a fair price and completing the sale without deceit. Business leaders need to prioritize honesty and integrity in business practices, working to create an environment of trust and mutual respect with the wider community. Laws should be instituted to ensure that those who practice dishonesty will face the appropriate consequences.

This is by no means an exhaustive list, but these principles can help to promote a healthy and sustainable economy that benefits all members of the community.