Sprinkler Alert (Biblical Economics, Part 5)
By Ben Quine
**This article is part of a series written by Ben Quine that takes us through the whole of Scripture to discover how God set up an economy for His people, and how His timeless economic principles apply to us today.
We’re in the midst of a hot summer, and last evening my seven-year-old son came into dinner drenched from head to foot. I was surprised and asked him, “How did you get all wet?”
Again to my surprise he replied, “I didn’t think I would get wet, I went under the sprinkler.”
Why do we get wet when we walk under a fully sprinkling sprinkler? It's because we live in God’s cause and effect universe. We can see that in Physics (Newton’s Third Law of Motion: “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.”), we see that when you walk underneath a sprinkler, and we can see it in Economics as well.
God’s practical instruction book for life, the book of Proverbs, is filled with wisdom for us — wisdom for everyday life that is founded on the fear of the Lord. In this article and the next one we will look at what Proverbs teaches about two foundational economic principles: work and wealth. Let’s start with what God’s book of wisdom says about work…
A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man. (Proverbs 6:10–11)
Proverbs is set in the context of the Mosaic Law and the economic principles it established (see the previous articles). In that context, Proverbs presents the choices of the individual as the key factor in one’s economic success or failure.
In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty. (Proverbs 14:23)
In God’s cause and effect universe, our actions have consequences. The choices we make directly influence our outcomes. The foolishness of inaction, sloth, or mere talk will lead to poverty.
Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense. (Proverbs 12:11)
We saw in the previous article that God’s law was highly protective of private property. But even though God gave an allotment of land to each family, wisdom now says that every individual must work that land. It was not enough to rely on what was given by God or society.
Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds, (Proverbs 27:23-24)
She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant. (Proverbs 31:16, 24)
The specific kind of work each person chose didn’t have to be farming. Everyone was free to use their creativity to create any business they wanted: crops, herds, merchandise, real estate, or a service. But wisdom says each person must closely monitor the condition of their business and take daily care of it.
A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is laid up for the righteous. (Proverbs 13:22)
Our choices will also impact future generations. Wisdom leads to a spiritual and economic inheritance that is passed on from generation to generation. God says this is how He intended society to function.
Does not wisdom call? Does not understanding raise her voice? Riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold, and my yield than choice silver. I walk in the way of righteousness, in the paths of justice, granting an inheritance to those who love me, and filling their treasuries. (Proverbs 8:1, 8:18–21)
Each of us has a choice to make: follow wisdom or follow foolishness. Proverbs is not endorsing a prosperity gospel, guaranteeing that, “if you follow these few simple steps you will be wealthy.” We know from other Scripture that those who believe in Jesus will suffer: II Timothy 3:12 explains, “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”
The reward for humility and fear of the LORD is riches and honor and life. (Proverbs 22:4)
Instead, Proverbs shows us the way of wisdom, the best path to take, and the way things normally turn out. It teaches that when a society and individuals follow God’s economic wisdom, the fruit will be righteousness, wealth, honor, life, and justice.
The fallow ground of the poor would yield much food, but it is swept away through injustice. (Proverbs 13:23)
But none of this works or makes sense unless the government and society embraces Biblical economic values.
When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan. (Proverbs 29:2)
If unbiblical laws are in place — the people will groan. Even those who pursue wisdom and work diligently will suffer under wicked laws and regulations. Excessively high taxes (or taxes on things like land or inheritances), unequal treatment of the poor or rich, or rejection of freedom and private property directly attack God’s economic plan and bring pain to the people.
The blessing of the LORD makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. (Proverbs 10:22)
We all must choose to work hard in righteousness. If a society has wise economic laws in place, Proverbs says this will normally lead to wealth. But then there is another choice we must make…
Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor. (Proverbs 22:9)
In God’s cause and effect universe, He says that being generous will bring blessing.
Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him. (Proverbs 14:31)
Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will repay him for his deed. (Proverbs 19:17)
The Lord sees each action. He hates it when the poor or powerless are oppressed, and He calls on all individuals to show His love to those in need — God’s wisdom calls individuals to a lifestyle of generosity. Being wealthy is not wrong, but wealth hoarded or used uncompassionately insults God’s blessing.
Over and over again, Proverbs commends wisdom to those willing to listen and proclaims that the blessing of God will come on those who embrace its instruction. Work has been a part of God’s design for humanity since before the fall (Genesis 2:15), and Proverbs teaches that for those who are able, work is not optional, but it is a direct outflow of wisdom and the fear of the Lord. When a person makes wise choices within a social framework that upholds Biblical values, Proverbs teaches that normally wealth, prosperity, and charity will be the result.
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:23–24)
Work done in this context with this heart attitude is God-honoring and a source of purpose and fulfillment in life. Work with all your heart and leave the results to God! But there is more to say about our attitude toward wealth, and we’ll look at what Proverbs teaches about that in our next article.
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ABOUT BEN
Connect with him at Cornerstone Curriculum
Ben Quine, the second son of David and Shirley Quine, was blessed to grow up with a Charlotte Mason/Dr. Schaeffer/Biblical Worldview education -- a tremendous gift! Through the years, Ben has served as a Cornerstone consultant, assistant, and co-author. He has written several Bible studies for the Answers for Difficult Days series, which equips churches to address the issues our culture is wrestling with today, from the foundation of Scripture. Ben is also the editor of The Worldview Library, editions of classical literature with student helps that afford the reader a deeper understanding of the concepts presented in each work.
Trained as a classical pianist and instructor, Ben is committed to inspiring his students with the love of great music and equipping them with the tools to perform at the highest level. This training has resulted in his students' successful performances from local festivals and competitions to Carnegie Hall.
Ben loves Shakespeare, Dickens, photography, listening to recordings of "the great pianists", running, biking, and spending time with his wife Julie and their three sons.