...they're both based on
self-interest.
“The most effective and efficient way to maximize collective social welfare and the public interest is to allow individuals to act in their self-interest.” - Adam Smith, the father of the free market liberal school of economics.
i don't buy it. people have the ability and the tendency to seek their own self-interests...
at the expense of the well-being of others. seeing the reality within this country (supposedly the most politically and democratically liberal of them all) and the impact that american policies and national interests have on the rest of the world, i can't proudly call myself an american.
i pledge allegiance to a country without borders, a country whose political economic system is neither democratic nor capitalist,
a Kingdom which calls its subjects to live lives, not of
self-interest, but of
self-sacrifice:
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
.......Who, being in very nature God,
..............did not consider equality with God
.....................something to be grasped,
.......but made himself nothing,
..............taking the very nature of a servant,
.....................being made in human likeness.
.......And being found in appearance as a man,
..............he humbled himself
.....................and became obedient to death -
............................even death on a cross!
.....................................................[Philippians 2:3-8]
O, that this humility has brought us
restoration/shalom, that this humility has bequeathed to us
peace with one another, that this humility has given us
freedom and
LIFE.
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. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.
........................................................[Acts 4:31-35]
(this sounds a lot like communism/socialism, but even such regimes can't accomplish what this Kingdom can. the leaders of such governments also pursue self-interest, no matter how much they advocate that they do all things for the sake of their people. corruption and exploitation are no strangers to this system.)
this Kingdom-principle applies only to those who are Kingdom-people because only Kingdom-people are ruled by
the King. the
just King. the
humble King. the
Servant King. this Kingdom is not compatible with any other political economic system, precisely because it is
not of this world.
so how is this relevant to the non-Kingdom world?if only the people of God could
completely devote and place ourselves under
His rule (and
be the People of God), we would be
completely liberated from the slaveries of devastating poverty and lonely wealth. if only the world could
see for themselves how the World was
intended,
created to be...
...to seek first
His Kingdom,
...........a Kingdom that is not
upside-down,
................................................................but
rightside up.
