The prophet Micah condemned the crooks and politicians of his day for devising schemes to scam and rob the people. Micah 2:12 says, Woe to those who scheme iniquity, who work out evil on their beds! When morning comes, they do it, for it is in the power of their hands. They covet fields and then seize them, and houses, and take them away. They rob a man and his house, a man and his inheritance.    

  This series, of Dr. Greg Bahnsen, delves into the ethical obligations Christians have regarding economic relations and social issues, analyzing them from a biblical perspective. 9 audio CDs: Private Property: A God-given right (Ex. 20:15) Free Market: Disciplined Allocation of Scarce Resources (Matt. 25:14-30 ) Wealth: Blessing and Temptation (various texts) Tithes and Taxes (Ro. 13:1-7) The Poor and the Demands of Charity (1 John 3:13-18 ) Honest Money (Isa. 1 ) Debt and Usury (Lk. 4:17-21) Labour and Leisure (Ex. 20:1-17) Varieties of Thievery (Matt. 6:9-15 ) This is one of the best expositions of the Christian economic position. It is a sermon series delivered to Dr. Bahnsen’s own congregation. If you want to understand Christian Economics buy this set. Anselm Study House is pleased to offer this product at a 67% discount.

With all of the current economic uncertainty it is important for the church to be continually instructing the people of God. Christ's sheep must be fed, not only the milk but also solid (meaty) food. The Bible gives a blueprint for how we can live our lives in humble obedience to God. These blueprints extend to the field of our personal, family, church and state finances. This is particularly the case for debt. Much of what we have experienced through the ongoing global financial crisis roots in misuse of debt; governmental (i.e. sovereign), individual and institutional (e.g. purchasing and selling packaged debt via an investment vehicle). Mainstream economists and most Christians follow some form of Keynsian economics. What is that you ask? Well, with regard to a depression/recession those economists who follow John Maynard Keynes "recommend deficit spending to moderate or end a recession, especially a severe one.

On November 12, 2009 the Mercury reported that “anger brews at land tax hikes” in Tasmania. Influential businessmen gathered to protest these tax increases. Tasmania’s Labor government recently handpicked a group of people tp make a submission to the national taxation review (the Henry Review). The Business Tax and Regulation Reference Group made three major recommendations to this review; 1. “introduction of a state-based income tax surcharge;” 2. “broaden the base for land tax to include principal place of residence land;” 3. “introduction of a property-based tax, to replace current land taxes. Such a tax would not be determined solely by the property value; that is, it would include a component that does not vary with property value but may vary with the number.”[1] These are major tax reforms and would represent a large increase in state level taxes. This will not be good for Tasmanians. Effectively we would see the introduction of a universal land tax, which is heavily graduated. No longer would investment and business properties be the sole payees of land tax, all inhabitants who owned a property would start to enjoy the benefits of rampant social democrat policy.

Tough times are being experienced across the developed world. Unemployment is high, companies are closing their doors and our buck doesn’t buy quite what it used to. What should we do in times like this? There are two options; be thrifty with what you have or spend what is yours (or even not yours). I think most would agree that when financial times are tough it is wise to tighten up one’s belt and stop spending. Perhaps I’m a simpleton. To me it is obvious; when times are tough household spending and debt levels should naturally reduce and savings increase. If the family does not know whether dad will have a job or the business will keep producing the same income; expenditure is cut wherever possible. Right? Does this make sense? It does to me. Well, hang on then. Why is it then that at the outset of the recent financial recession our government opened the spending and national debt floodgate? A future generation’s freedom has been mortgaged to provide the wants of a few groups now. Have I missed something here? I think I might have, perhaps the simpleton label will stick!

During times of crisis rhetoric works wonders. Especially upon an unsuspecting public. Kevin Rudd’s financial crisis whipping boy, “free-market fundamentalism, extreme capitalism and excessive greed,” is the perfect example. It rolls eloquently off the tongue. Voters in a handout state thrive off such rhetoric. It breeds contempt against straw man fundamentalism. The capitalist pigs must be blamed. Sadly ill informed Australian Christians have lapped it up. You must understand the motif behind this rhetoric. Simply stated; it paves the way for increased legislative power, leading to greater government spending. Our father in Canberra must provide you with your daily bread. So, the cards are being stacked for a bigger, grander government. Amidst the financial storm cries for a savior are touted. Our chivalrous government is groping at that title. Economics Nobel Prize Laureate (1974), Henry Hazlitt, observed;...”[t]here is no more persistent and influential faith in the world today than the faith in government spending.”[1]Nothing has changed. Greedy capitalists are to be martyred and the grandeur of government provides salvation. By faith you are to accept Canberra’s “free” deliverance from the toils of thrift and hard work.

Next time you are tempted to think; "the government must do something about that" - don't! Rather take action yourself, through your family and church. God will not be mocked. Departing His Word, in the field of politics or economics or anything else, will bring judgment (Deut. 28 ). We are experiencing God's covenantal, national judgment now. It is time for the church to repent and once again be a unified conscience to the state. Not only that. The Biblical principles regarding economics must be exposited, as Spurgeon did so long ago. You cannot replace something with nothing. There are no voids in life or society. When Christians refuse to apply the Bible to areas of life, the vacuum will never remain. It will be filled by humanistic philosophy.

A crisis brings out the best and worst of people. Otherwise desperately hidden worldviews float to the surface. The current crisis has been no different. Economic policy and philosophy are under fire. The heathen are desperate to find a scapegoat. Nothing seems to escape their scourging attempt. Well, one thing does, but more about this later. Everybody has become an economist, seeking the goat to tether.

As a society we should see God's covenant judgement on the "Christian West's" unsound political economics. These ungodly, sinful policies created the global financial crisis. An Introduction to Christian Economics presents the Biblical case for the free market and private property. To enjoy societal liberty, justice and prosperity we must repent and return to each man being responsible under God. Unfortunately the book is out of print, but you can download it for FREE from ASH...