“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.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.
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]
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.
Good words.
ReplyDeleteSadly, politics and God don't genuinely mix in America, nor anywhere else. To me, politicians just claim to be Christian because they have to in order to get votes. I mean, I guess I shouldn't judge them, but it just seems obvious on the outside that people in politics don't hold Jesus as Lord over their lives, including pretty much every recent President.
I totally agree that American values promote focusing on the self and bettering your life as much as you can. But from my point of view... democracy is perhaps the best we can get. I don't know a whole lot about politics, but theoretically communism/socialism seems ideal contrary to popular portrayal, but it would never work because people are selfish and would never be ok with sharing and equal distribution. At least democracy "aims" to consider the majority opinion, and capitalism allows people to obtain success based on your own merit and not have an unfair government control things.
It's two different worlds. Government is all about organized services for the people. AKA providing for selfish desires of the people it governs. God's kingdom is opposite - just as the passage you quote says - laying yourself down for the betterment of others.