The Real Economy

The following article was written in September 2008. It is the reason why some opening statements will appear as old news.

In Webster's Dictionary, one of the definitions for the word economy reads, "the management of household or private affairs and esp. expenses." Today, when we Americans hear the word economy, automatically we become minded of what kind of shape the nation is in, monetarily speaking. As of late, the talk we hear is not at all good. The foundations are beginning to shake, so it seems. People are becoming increasingly fearful. And some even say that a recession, or even worse, is just a matter of time. But what is one of the things that can cause an economy to rebound during tough times such as these? It is for people to spend; the more we spend the better. The more that our dollars circulate from person to person and place to place the healthier the economy will become. It is a free flow of currency that will help set a nation on its feet again. And so, a good and stable economy depends largely on the spending of the people. Is there then a different criteria for the economy of the universal body of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God? Will it also not thrive because of the spending of the people? I would say most definitely. The answer is the same as for the secular society about us. The answer is spending. But it will not be the flow of currency that will make for a strong economy. This is because the kingdom of God is not of this world. It is for the time, in this world, but never of it. And so, the cure for the economy of the church of Christ can never be a healthy circulation of currency. But it is other things that must be released by the people, things far greater in value than money. What must each and every member of Christ's beloved church become determined to spend upon one another? Moreover, what is it that we must see ourselves as obligated to throw into the free flowing streams of the economy of God? These are the things that make the kingdom of God go-round:

First and foremost we must shed upon one another love. This we will do as we allow Christ our head to shed abroad his own love in our hearts.

What about joy? Is it not the joy that comes from knowing that we are a child of God, that inspires another to keep moving on when their path turns rugged?

There's the peace that passes understanding that causes one to wonder as they behold it in their brother. They soon are bent on knowing it for themselves.

The patience with which we endure trials goes on display to many; they then are moved to become strong and to wait upon the God of heaven and earth.

Acts of goodness and of kindness flow through the hearts of their recipients; like quiet, gentle streams they mightily bless the soul.

Those who are ever true to their word serve as fine examples and firm pillars for young ones who follow in their way.

To be gentle among all men and maintain a right spirit, is always as a crown of gold upon the head. Those who see it raise their vision to higher heights.

Wisdom is gleaned from believers who walk before us.

We catch the faith of another; scales fall and our eyes are opened wide.

Healings pass from the hand of one who has known their share of burdens; a miracle has made us whole.

The hospitality of some bring us together that we may know our brothers and sisters; we become united in our God.

From teachers we learn. By shepherds we are kept. Through prophets we hear the Words of the Father. He thunders them; He whispers them; He sings to us in the night - "this is the way" is the song that He gives.

All of these things are the practices that stir the economy of God. This indeed is the true economy. It is what is real, for it is forever. It is not like man's economy. The foundation trembles, the walls begin to shake, and it all comes down. A rebuilding is needed. Also, the economy of man is made to work by a thing the scripture calls "a root of all kinds of evil.” But the economy of God is caused to flow by the things that are born of love.

When taking this subject matter into serious consideration, there should arise a question that every believer must ask themselves. The question is this: What is the condition of the economy in the church today? I say this regretfully. I see a recession, and that at best. Why do I believe it? The answer is in one simple word. The word is hording. One may say, "The things that you spoke of are called gifts in the Bible. These gifts are not for everyone. So how can those without, horde? How can they play any real part in stimulating the economy of God's people?" My only response would be this: What loving earthly father would give gifts to some of His children but not to others? How cruel a thing it would be. To quote Jesus, "If you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts unto you?" God, who is in heaven, has surely by His love and mercy, gifted every human being in some way. How much more does He gift those born of His Spirit? Yet I am convinced that many of His offspring are totally inactive in the contribution of their gifts - gifts of which others are in need and would be stirred.

I believe that there are multiple reasons for this, but none that will be justified by the gift Giver one day. We may hear from Him, "I know that you were occupied with your work more than most,” or, “I was aware of the health problems you had," or, "I realized that you had a large family to tend to." But never will we hear, "I understand." Actually, there are a number of factors that keep us from spending our gifts upon one another. I would say that one of the most common is fear. So many have all their lives felt insecure, inferior to others, uncertain of themselves due to past failures. And so they are deadly afraid that if they gave an effort to extend an ability or two, that the result may be too painful - or worse, disastrous.

Another deterrent is that we don't see any real need for our input. We think that enough is being put into practice by others. And so we ask ourselves how much more of an impact our little addition would have on the Lord's redeemed. Since our hands are full with other matters as it is, we rationalize that all will go well in our absence. Then there are those who have never even been instructed that they are to be a living and active member in the eternal body of Christ. Normally, these have long attended churches non evangelical in nature. And the reasons go on. But each one of them stay alive and breathing in us due to the same great sin of omission. Simply, it is this. We do not talk to the Father. Without a daily time of communion with Him, through the person of the Son and of the Spirit, we walk through this life spiritually blindfolded. Born again or not, we will from time to time hear no more than a few words from His throne. The "personal relationship" with God that we evangelicals like to speak of will be only meaningless terminology. And if our footprints were seen on the path that we travel, they would appear as those of a staggering man; this signifying as the scripture says, "double-minded and unstable in all his ways.” Or as it is written in the letter to the Ephesians, "tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine.” In other words, without an established and an effective life of communion with God our Maker, our journeying with Him in the Spirit would be of little gain at best. When on the waters, shipwreck would often be the case. And remember, to the carnal mind, shipwreck may not be detected for what it is. For if we are at that time, knowing a period of worldly success, we will never see beyond it. To sum it up, if we do not stay in touch with the Almighty, by way of strong and meaningful prayer times, we will hear little, see little, and know little intimacy in the Father and the Son. Also, we will wander about, often mistaking fallacies for truth. Unstable will be our foundation, and with the destroyer always near. But such are not the horrific misfortunes of the sons and the daughters that speak always with the Father.

From the storehouse of their thoughts, they bring before Him all their matters. He directs them in the way.

They praise His Name until the Spirit rains down upon them. Are they not then His delight?

Upon the glory and the power, the beauty and the majesty, the wind and the fire, His love and His mercies, do they always dwell. He renews their minds with good things.

And to those who lay bare to Him all that is in their hearts, He in turn becomes an open book. And so they glean much wisdom and much knowledge, from abba Father. He unfolds it to them because they sit always at His feet. They become wise also of things deceptive, for He grants them a discerning spirit.

But in addition to all these, they learn of a matter of crucial importance. They have discovered who they are in the body of Jesus Christ. They have found their place. For He has clearly pointed it out to them. And in that capacity do they employ themselves. This they do through a strength and an understanding that comes not from themselves. Surely they do their part in stimulating the economy in the church of the living God.

All, however, are not of this way. Why? I reiterate. The great sin of omission keeps them from exercising their roles among their brothers and their sisters. That sin being, they do not keep company with the Father and the Son. If they did, He would bring to light many things. This He longs to do. But He only does it to the same degree that we speak with Him. And one thing that He truly desires to reveal is who we are, so that we may know how to function. If we feel that there are issues that will hinder us from functioning in the way He has prescribed, He will remove even mountains. We must only continue to ask and believe. One may say, "I can't believe for a thing so big." Yet when we were born of Him, we needed to believe Him for a supernatural birth. He is the same Person now that He was at that time, and it is the same faith that we exercise - not a greater one. We simply believe. He then will remove any obstacle that keeps us from taking our place in the Son. But it all must begin with consistent times of communion. From these we come to know and trust Him more; we see just how real He is, and how true are His promises.

Presently, I believe that the economy in this nation of “kings and priests,” as we are defined in scripture, is not doing well at all. Kings have always been men of great wealth and power, and priests have always been more than cared for by those for whom they intercede. So how is it that there is a nation of “kings and priests” who belong to none but Almighty God, yet they are found to be in rags? It must be an astounding thing to behold by the angels - those who walk with us, who speak a word, who minister to our needs.

For many years now, church leaders along with their flocks, have prayed for the kingdom to be revived. They have prayed, fasted, begged, and wept over the matter. It is going to come. Personally, I believe that it shouldn't be long now - one last revival. I also believe we're going to get something more from the hand of God, something we've neither asked for, nor have been looking for. I feel we may be in store for a second reformation, though not as major a one as the first. I see the church being turned upside down, and then upright again. Although our heads may swim a bit before we stand firm on our feet, we then will see more clear than ever. Men and women of faith have for decades sought the Lord for a powerful awakening. But when this final move of the Spirit comes, it will not be due so much to the prayers of the saints as it will be to the carrying out of the perfect will of the Most High. For the time will be right, the stage will be set, and the Spirit will fall. Suddenly the economy will start to thrive; it will thrive, and it will thrive, and it will thrive, and there will be none to stop it. For the Almighty Maker of the heavens and the earth has all at once jump started it. Where the efforts of men could not bring the rain, God, by a Word, has sent a deluge overnight. In that day, all of His children will speak with Him. All will become acquainted with their Father in heaven. This they will do by way of the Son. Believers everywhere will come to know their place in the great and holy temple of the most high God. Each will understand that they are a precious living stone, amongst an untold number of other living stones, just as themselves. And, like a mighty cornerstone, there stands none but the Son of God - strong and true forever. This powerful act of the One who reigns on high will commence in such a way that the church will quickly pick up on it and hasten forward by its power. Unlike at other times in our history, there will come no slowdown of this final surge of God's Spirit upon the earth. It will be through no effort of the flesh that the resources of heaven will be so richly spent upon one another, each one doing their part. Then it will come - the great catching away. Now every hidden hope will be brought to light - every dream fulfilled. Now shall we abide with our Christ, and walk with our King. Now the kingdom reigns.

By: J. Pecoraro
September 30, 2008