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Doing Businessin the

Kingdom of God

A Workbook on Biblical Foundations for Microenterprise Development

Tim DearbornChristopher Shore

DoingBusiness_4.indd 1 6/9/06 8:46:51 PM

� DoingBusinessintheKingdomofGod

Copyright©�006WorldVisionInternational

PrintedintheUnitedStatesofAmerica.

Allrightsreserved.Noportionofthispublicationmaybereproducedinanyform,exceptforbriefexcerptsinreviews,withoutpriorpermissionofthepublisher.

ISBN1-933785-03-9

WrittenandpreparedbyTimDearbornandChristopherShore.ProducedbythePartnershipOfficesonbehalfoftheWorldVisionPartnership.

PublishedbyWorldVisionInternational,800WestChestnutAvenue,Monrovia,California91016-3198U.S.A.

Editorinchief:EdnaValdez.Copyeditor:MariFukuyama.Graphicdesignandlayout:RichardSears.Proofreader:RLouNorquist.

Coverphotos(toptobottom):PradeepSilwal/CGardner,MandlaLuphondvo/WorldVision,DavidMunozAmbriz/WorldVision,DavidMunozAmbriz/WorldVision,JohnSchenk/WorldVision,JonWarren/WorldVision


3

Contents

Acknowledgements.....................................................................................................................................4

Notes for Facilitators.................................................................................................................................5

Session 1 Introduction: Why Microenterprise Development?....................................................................6

Session 2 Economic Well-Being in the Kingdom of God.............................................................................10

Session 3 Learning from the Story of Creation ..............................................................................................14

Session 4 Doing Business in a Fallen World.......................................................................................................18

Session 5 Redemption: Part 1 – Exodus and God’s Economic Laws .....................................................�4

Session 6 Redemption: Part 2 – Learning from the Prophets...................................................................31

Session 7 Redemption: Part 3 – Jesus Christ.....................................................................................................37

Session 8 New Creation: The Spirit and the Church.....................................................................................43

Session 9 Hope: New Heaven and New Earth..................................................................................................47

Session 10 Putting It All Together..............................................................................................................................53

Additional Resources Pieces of the Exodus Story ..................................................................................................................60

Additional Resources A Christian Perspective on Microenterprise Loans and the Payment of Loan Interest..........................................................................................................................................61

Additional Resources Scenario: Loan Repayment and the Sabbath Year.....................................................................68


4 DoingBusinessintheKingdomofGod

Acknowledgements

T hisworkbookincorporatesmaterialsfromTheology of Development Lesson 7 – Economic Well-beingcreatedbyRoyBerkenbosch(KingsUniversityCollege,Edmonton,Alberta)and

BrendaMelles(NGODevelopmentConsultant,Kingston,Ontario)fortheChristianReformedWorldReliefCommittee�005©,whichweredevelopedwiththeassistanceofDwayneHodg-sonandGlobalLearningPartners.

ItalsobenefitsfromtheworkofChristineAroney-Sine,A Theology of MED,andfromas-sistancebyDr.KershawBurbankofEasternUniversity.

Inaddition,Dr.JeffVanDuzer(DeanofSeattlePacificUniversity’sSchoolofBusinessandEconomics)andDr.VinaySamuel(ExecutiveDirectoroftheOxfordCentreforMissionStudiesandtheInternationalFellowshipofMissionTheologians)havemadesubstantivecontributions.

ParticipantsintheToronto�005WorldVisionInternationalChristianCommitmentsIntegra-tionForum,especiallySammyMwangiandEstherYamat,madein-depthcontributionstothisworkbook.


5

Notes for Facilitators

T houghthisworkbookisdesignedforgroupuse,itcanalsobeusedbyindividuals.Facilita-torsshouldreadthroughtheworkbookinadvanceofeachsession,andtakenoteofthe

materialsandgroupprocessoutlinedatthebeginningofeachsection.

Eachsessionisdesignedforapproximately35to45minutes,withtheexceptionofSession5,whichwillrequire60minutes.

AllparticipantsshouldhaveacopyoftheworkbookandaBible.

SessionsincludeBiblestudies,discussionquestions,groupactivitiesandbriefsectionsofcommentary.Participantscanreadthecommentaryaloudasagrouporsilentlytothemselves.Suggestionsareusuallyprovidedineachsection.

Eachsessionwillincludeseveralsmallgroupexercisesforfourpeople,whichwillofferthemagoodopportunitytobuildsupportiverelationshipsasteams.

AttheendofSession3,eachgroupwilluseaflipcharttocreateasummaryentitled“Busi-nessasSacredStewardship.”Thegroupswillreviewandaddnewthoughtstothissummaryattheendofeachsubsequentsession,anddevelopanoverallsummaryduringthefinalsession.Youmightfindithelpfultorecordthegroups’reflectionsbysavingthesechartsandcombiningthemintoamasterelectronicsummary.



Session 1

Introduction: Why Microenterprise Development?

Objectives for this session Materials needed

Introduceparticipantstooneanother,tothestudyandtothepurposeofengaginginMED.

Identifyquestionsthatwillbeexploredduringthisstudy.

CopyofworkbookandBibleforeachparticipant

Session Plan10minutes:InviteparticipantstointroducethemselvesanddescribetheirexperienceorroleinMED.Praythatthisstudywillbefruitfulineachofyourlives.

5minutes:Distributetheworkbookandexplaintheformatofthesessions(workbook,Bible,smallgroupdiscussions).

10minutes:Readtheintroductorysection(eitherbyhavingmembersofyourgroupeachreadaparagraphaloudorbyhavingthemreadthesectionsilently).Usingthechartprovidedasabasis,discusshowMEDcanbepracticedinwaysthatpositivelyornegativelyimpactpeople’sdeepervalues.

5minutes:Readthesummaryoftheobjectivesofthisstudyandthenreviewthequestionsattheendoftheintroduction.Haveparticipantsidentifywhichquestionstheyfindthemostpressing.Listadditionalquestionstowhichpeopleareseekinganswers.

5minutes:Praytogetherforoneanother,thisstudyandyourengagementinMED.

1. Introduction: Read aloud thisintroduction.

WehavewrittenthisstudyforChristianswhoareengagedinmicroenterprisedevelop-mentandmicrofinance.WearecommittedtoChristianrelief,developmentandadvocacy,onbehalfofthepoor,especiallychildren.Sowhydoweengageinmicroenterprisedevel-opment(MED)whenitistraditionallyseenasfocusedonadultbeneficiaries?Theanswerissimple:MEDcanrelievesuffering,promotesustainabledevelopmentandenablejusticeforentirecommunities–includingchildren.

Ourvisionisthateverychildintheworldwillexperiencelifeinallitsfullness,andthateverypersonintheworldwillbedeterminedtomakeitso.Anessentialdimensionofhumanflourishingiswealthgeneration–alleviatingtheabjectpovertyofpeoplethrough


Session1–Introduction:WhyMicroenterpriseDevelopment? 7

enhancingtheirincome,accesstomarketsandeconomicwell-being.Sustained,transfor-mationaleconomicandcommunitydevelopmentdependsonthedevelopmentofpeopleandnotjustsocialandeconomicsystems.Sustaineddevelopmentandwell-beingrequiresspiritual,characterandrelationalgrowth,aswellaseducation,healthcare,andeconomicdevelopment.Truewealthismeasuredinmorethanmonetarymeans.Ourgoal,therefore,isnotmerelythegenerationofwealthorthediminishmentofpoverty,butforpeopletoflourishasweparticipatetogetherinthecomingofGod’skingdom.Socialandeconomicdevelopmentisinterconnectedwithspiritualandrelationaldevelopment.

Withoutaclearunderstandingofhowtopracticemicrofinanceinwaysthatareconsis-tentwiththepurposesofGod,weriskimpoverishingpeoplethroughaffluence,enablingthemtobecome:

• richer in commodities – but poorer in community: individualism

• richer in consumption – but poorer in character: materialism

• richer in material substance – but poorer in spirituality: secularism

Without holistic integration of our Christian commitments into our MED practices, we may unintentionally be agents of secularism rather than of the kingdom of God.

Rich in commodities, but poor in community

Individualism: competition, selfishness

Rich in consumption, but poor in character

Materialism: greed, envy

Rich in substance, but poor in spirituality

Secularism: trust in own effort, things

Rich in value, but poor in values

Hedonism: collapse of morality

Group Discussion: Doyouagreeordisagree?WhatevidencehaveyouseeninMEDthateithersupportsorrefutesthis?HowcanMEDbestbepracticedtoavoidanyofthesenegativeconsequences?

2. Summary of objectives of this study: Read aloud the purposesofthisstudy.

Wearecommittedtoassistingthepoorinaccessingcapital,productiveworkandmarkets–butnotattheexpenseofneglectingordiminishingcharacter,dignity,communityandspirituality.Werecognisethecomplexinterrelationshipsofspiritualandsocialchange



involvedinsustaineddevelopment.Therefore,ourfocusisnotsimplyonloans,capitalfunddevelopmentandmoney–butonpeople.Ultimately,thequalityofhumanrelations,character,spiritualandrelationalgrowthismoreimportantthanrepaymentrates.WedonotmeasuretheeffectivenessofMEDsimplybyriskratios,capitalfundincreasesandreturnoninvestment,butbyitsimpactonthetransformationofpeopleandcommunities.

Thisstudyencouragesabiblicalunderstandingofeconomicwell-beingrelatedtowealth,povertyandjustice,toestablishabiblicalfoundationformicroenterprisedevelopment.Itexaminesthewholebiblicalstory–fromtheCreationandtheFall,toGod’sredemptiveactionsbeguninIsraelandfulfilledinChrist,toournewcreationbytheSpirit,culminatinginthenewheavenandearthestablishedinGod’skingdom.Itexploresoptionsforhowtodobusinesswiththelongestpossible“returnoninvestment”.

Throughthisstudy,participantswillhavetheopportunitytoclarifytheintrinsiccon-tributionofbusinessactivityingeneral,andMEDandmicrofinanceinparticular,tothepurposesofGod.

Thestudyisstructuredaroundfivegreatthemesofthebiblicalstory,exploringinsightsfromeachforGod’spurposesforbusiness.

1. Creation:increasingfruitfulnessbystewardshipandcreativity

2. Fall:overcomingalienation,brokennessanddestruction

3. Redemption:experiencingnewcommunityandmeaningfulwork

4. New Creation:generatingnewcapacitythroughthepoweroftheSpirit

5. Culmination:livinginanticipationofthecertainfuture

Asaresult,participantsmaygaininsightintohowbusiness,andspecificallyMED,isaformoffull-timeChristianservice,andhowourChristiancommitmentsdistinctivelyshapeourapproachtomicrofinanceandMED.

Specific questions to address include: 1. WhatisdistinctivelyChristianabouthowweapproachMED?

�. HowdoweexpressourChristiancommitmentsinMEDwithoutproselytism?

3. WhatdoesGodhavetodowithbusiness?

4. Ischarginginterestandstimulatingdebtmoral?

5. Howcanweprovokeanentrepreneurialspiritinpeopleandcommunities?

6. Howcanwegeneratewealthwithoutfracturingacommunity(andindividuals)withcompetition,envyandgreed?

Discussthesequestions,identifyingtheonesmostimportanttoparticipants,andaddinganyotherstheywouldliketopursue.


Session1–Introduction:WhyMicroenterpriseDevelopment? 9

Listanyadditionalquestionsthatpeopleareeagertopursue.

Concludebyprayingforoneanother,forGodtousethisstudyandforyourleadershipinMED.



Session 2

Economic Well-Being in the Kingdom of God


ProvideanoverviewofthemeaningandimplicationsofthekingdomofGodforeconomics.


HaveparticipantssummarisetheircurrentunderstandingofhowMEDrelatestothepurposesofGod.

Flipchartorlargesheetsofpaper(onepereveryfourparticipants)

Session Plan5 minutes: Inviteeachparticipanttoreadsilentlytheintroductorysectionon“GodIsanEconomist”andmarkwithan ! anythingtheyfindsurprising.

15 minutes: Ingroupsoffour,discussanysurprisesfromthisintroduction,andlistthreewaysinwhichMEDcontributestothecomingofthekingdomofGod.Writea�0-wordstatementonwhyGodwillsMEDandhaveseveralgroupsreadtheirsentence.

15 minutes: Inthesamegroupsoffour,completethechartonwaysMEDcontributestothepurposesofGod.Havegroupsposttheirchartsonthewallwhentheyaredone. Note to facilitator: Youmightfindithelpfultosavethesecharts,andcombinethemintoamasterelectronicsummary.

5 minutes: ConcludeinprayerthatGodwillguidethegroupinitsunderstandingofGod’spurposesforMED.

1. Introduction–The Kingdom of God and Economics: Read silentlythefollowingandmarkanexclamation(!)byanythingthatissurprising.

Inthebeginning,whenGodmadetheheavensandtheearth,therewerenopoor.Godintendedasthehumancommunityexpandedandfilledtheearthandexercisedfaithfulstewardshipoverit,thatallpeopleandthewholecreationwouldflourish.Theword“economics”comesfromtheGreekwordoikos,whichliterallymeans“household”.TheBibleteachesthattheworldinwhichweliveasaglobalhumancommunityisreallyGod’s“household”,aplacewhereGodintendsforusalltobe“athome”.Inour“home”Godintendsthatallwillhaveenoughfood,bepartofsecurefamiliesandsafecommunities,andflourishenjoyingthesplendoursofGod’sworld.“Economics”isnotjustaboutmoney.In


Session�–EconomicWell-BeingintheKingdomofGod 11

itsbroadestsense,economicsencompassesallthearrangementsanddecisionswemakethataffectthewell-beingofpeopleeverywhere.

AsfollowersofChrist,weplaceourhopeinthereignofGodanditsfulfillmentinthereturnofChrist.WebelievethatGodrulesovercreationinwisdom,patienceandjustice,eventhoughsinfulcreationdoesnotyetfullyrecogniseGod’srule.InJesus’life,deathandresurrection,thetimeoffulfillmenthasbegun(Mk.1:15).JesusproclaimedboththenearnessofGod’sreignanditsfuturerealisation.InhislifeandteachingheemphasisedthatGod’sreignbringsbenefitsparticularlytothepoor,vulnerable,persecutedandchildren(Matt.5:10;8:10-1�;17:�0;�1:31;Luke6:�0).Godwillbringthepoorjusticeandrelief,restoringtheirrightfulplaceamidstcreation’sabundance.

ToengageinmissionistoparticipateinthecomingofthekingdomofGod.Thisiswhatwearetoseekfirst(Matt.6:33).Wearetohungerforkingdomjustice(Matt.5:6).Thedesireforthiskingdomtocomeistobeforemostamongourprayerfulpetitions(Matt.6:10).ThekingdomathandwasthesubjectofJesus’firstsermon(Mark1:14-15;Luke4:18)andthefocusofhisteachingfollowinghisresurrection(Acts1:1-8).Jesussaidthatthepointofallhisteachingwastoproclaimthemysteryofthekingdom(Luke8:10).Jesus’preachingofthekingdomwassocentralthathesaidtheendofhistorywouldnotarriveuntilthekingdomhadbeenpreachedtoallethnicgroupsintheworld(Matt.�4:14).

GodgivespeopleinChristanewbeginning(�Cor.5:17;Rom6:4-6;Gal.6:15),deliversthemfromtheoppressionofsinandthekingdomsofthisworld(Gal.1:4),and“crucifies”theirslaverytotheoldways(Gal�:�0).TheGospel’scallforrepentanceisthusaradicalturning,orredirectingoflife.Itleadstototaltransformation.“RepentanceisfarmorethanaprivatematterbetweentheindividualandGod.Itinvolvesthetotalreorientationoflifeintheworld,amongpeople,inresponsetotheworkofGodinJesusChrist.”1“WhenChristiansgainavisionoftheKingdomofGod,theirviewchangestowardthepoor,orphans,refugees;towardGod’sfutureandhisinterestinjustice,mercyandtruth.”�

WearecalledtolivenowaccordingtothepatternofGod’sfuturereign.Inourspiritual,socialandeconomicrelationships,wedemonstratenowthejustice,righteousness,loveandpeaceofthefuturekingdom(Acts�:41-47;Rev.11:15;15:3-4).Wearesotolivethatwegivetheworldevidenceofwhatthefuturewilllooklike.Welookforwardtothecomingofanewheavenandanewearth,wherethepeopleofGodwillnolongerhunger,thirstorcry,whenallcreationwillsingpraisesto“theLambofGod,seatedonthethrone”(Rev.�1:1-4;7:9-17;5:13-14).

InJanuary1990,morethan100Christiantheologians,economistsanddevelopmentleadersfromdifferentChristiantraditionsandeconomicperspectives(fromfree-marketcapitalists

1 RenéPadilla,“EvangelismandtheWorld”inLet the Earth Hear His Voice,1975.

� HowardSnyder,Liberating the Church(IVP,1983),p.11.


1� DoingBusinessintheKingdomofGod

toChristiansocialists)cametogetherattheOxfordCentreforMissionStudiesinOxford,England,toconcludeathree-yearstudyprojectonChristianfaithandeconomics.Theresultingstatement,The Oxford Declaration on Christian Faith and Economics,standsasacomprehensivestatementaboutcontemporaryChristianeconomics.Regardingstewardshipandeconomicproductionitproclaims:“EconomicproductionresultsfromthestewardshipoftheearthwhichGodassignedtohumanity.Whilematerialism,injustice,andgreedareinfundamentalconflictwiththeteachingofthewholeScripture,thereisnothingintheChristianfaiththatsuggeststhattheproductionofnewgoodsandservicesisundesirable.Indeed,weareexplicitlytoldthatGodrichlyfurnishesuswitheverythingtoenjoy(1Tim.6:17).Productionisnotonlynecessarytosustainlifeandmakeitenjoyable,italsoprovidesanopportunityforhumanbeingstoexpresstheircreativityintheserviceofothers.InassessingeconomicsystemsfromaChristianper-spective,wemustconsidertheirabilitybothtogenerateandtodistributewealthandincomejustly.”3

Small Group Discussion: Ingroupsoffour,discuss anythingyoumarkedassurprisinganddiscusswhy.Continueinthesamegroupsandsummarise yourcurrentunderstandingofhowMEDandmicrofinancecontributetothecomingofthekingdomofGod.

• ________________________________________________________________________

• ________________________________________________________________________

• ________________________________________________________________________

Complete thefollowingsentenceusinglessthan�0words:

Godwillsmicrofinancedevelopmentamongthepoorbecauseit:_________________

_____________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

_________________.

Haveseveralgroupsread theirsentencestotheentiregroup.

Inthesamegroupsoffour,brainstormandexpandontheseliststodescribewaysMEDcon-tributestoGod’spurposesintheworld. Noteyourideasonthefollowingchart.Ifpossible,haveonepersoncapturetheideasonaflipchart,whileanotherpersonrecordsthemelectroni-cally.Postyourchartonthewallwhenyouarefinished,andreviewothergroups’ideas.

3 Transformation1990(Vol.7,No.�)


Session�–EconomicWell-BeingintheKingdomofGod 13

Dimensions of God’s kingdom on earth

Ways MED participates in the fulfillment of God’s purposes

RestorationoforderandharmonyinCreation

• •

TransformationofpeopleandrelationshipsinChrist

• •

Reconciliationandempowermentofcommunities

• •

Well-beingandempowermentofchildren

• •

Transformationofsystemsandstructures

• •

ConcludebyprayingtogetherasanentiregroupforGodtoguideyouthroughthisstudyinyourunderstandingofhowMEDcontributestothecomingofGod’skingdom.



Session 3

Learning from the Story of Creation


NamecharacteristicsofGodandthenatureofhumankindanddescribetheirimplicationsforhumanwork.


EnvisionGod’soriginalintentionforcreationandbusiness.

Colouredpencils/pens/orcrayonsandpaperforeachparticipant

RecognisebusinessasaChristian/sacredvocation.

Flipchartandelectroniccopyofchartbegunintheprevioussessionon“biblicalprinciples”andMED

Session Plan3 minutes: ReadaloudGenesis1:19-�8and�:15,aswellastheintroductorystatementonCreation.

5 minutes: Ingroupsoffour,listqualitiesofGodportrayedintheCreationaccount,andimplicationsforhumanlifeandwork.

7 minutes: Asanentiregroup,whilesomeonereadsaloudPsalm104,haveeachparticipantdrawapictureportrayingGod’sintentiontoprovideabundantlyforallpeople.

7 minutes:ReadaloudPsalm�4:1andtheintroductorystatementonbusinessassacredstewardship.Ingroupsoffour,discussthediagram.

8 minutes:Asanentiregroup,brainstormandwriteideasregardingthemeaningandimplicationsofbusinessassacredstewardship.Savethischartforthenextsession,andalsomakeanelectroniccopyofit.

5 minutes:Concludebyprayingforourstewardshipofthelivesandresourceswithwhichwehavebeenentrusted.

1. Introduction: Read aloudGenesis1:19-�8and�:15andthefollowingsummaryofGod’sintendedroleforhumankindincreation.

Withoutdescribingascientificprocessfortheoriginoflife,theBibleproclaimsthat:

1. Godcreatedalloflife–allthingsexistbyGod’swillwithoutbeingthemselvesgod;

�. God’soriginalcreationwasgoodandharmonious;

3. GodisLordofallthings,andinfact,allthingsbelongtoGod(Psalm�4:1);

4. PeopleexistintheimageofGodwithathreefoldpurposeofworshippingGod,nourishingrelationshipswithoneanotherandworkingwithaspecialroleincreation.


Session3–LearningfromtheStoryofCreation 15

AccordingtothecreationaccountinGenesis,humanworkinthe“Garden”isto:

subdueit(Gen.1:�6,�8),

orderit(nameit)(Gen�:19-�0),

protectandguardit4(Gen�:15),

renderitfruitful(Gen1:�8;�:15).

Small Group Exercise: Ingroupsoffour,listsomequalitiesofGodportrayedintheCreationstory.IfwearecreatedinGod’simage,whatareimplicationsforhumanworkandrelationships?

Characteristics of God as evidenced in the Creation story

Implications for human life and work as people in God’s image

Group Exercise: ScriptureportraysGod’sinitialcreationasfruitfulandharmonious,withalloflifesubmittingtoGod’slordship.AssomeonereadsaloudPsalm 104,drawapicturetoillustrateGod’sintentionsofabundancewherenooneispoororhungry.Youmightwanttopostthesearoundtheroomforotherstoenjoyduringabreak.

Read aloudPsalm�4:1andthefollowingsummaryoftheimplicationsofGod’sownershipofallcreation(seealsoExo.9:�9;Deut.10:14;1Cor.10:�6-�8).

Godisconcernedwitheveryaspectoflife.AlllifebelongstoGod.Ifeveryaspectoflife“belongs”toGod,thenweownnothing.Wearestewardsandguardiansofsomeoneelse’sresources.IfpeopleexistintheimageofGod,thentheyarenotmerecustomers,consumersorunitsofproduction.Theyaretobetreatedwithdignity.Inotherwords,

4 Thecalltoexercise“dominion”overcreationinGenesis1:�6,�8isbalancedbythecallinGenesis�:15toguardcreation.Adamisputinthegardentotillandkeepit.Literally,“tokeep”means to care for.AdamandEvewerecalledtostewardorprotecttheCreation.Unfortunately,anexclusivefocuson“dominion”hasoftenbeenusedtojustifypeopleexploiting,ratherthanprotecting,nature.



ineverybusinessencounter,weareencounteringthesacred.Thisdoesn’timplythateverythingisgod.Rather,everythingbelongstoGod.Everybusinessactivityinvolvesthestewardshipoffourcomponents:people, time, resources and money.

Examine thisdiagram,“BusinessasSacredStewardship”.

Ingroupsoffour, discussyourinitialreactiontothisassertion.

• Whatsurprisesyouaboutit?

• Whatquestionsdoesthisraise?

Group Exercise: Asalargegroup,brainstormideasandwritethemonthefollowingchart.Aftereachsession,youwillreviewandexpandonthischarttosummariseideasexploredinthisworkbook.


Session3–LearningfromtheStoryofCreation 17

Business as Sacred Stewardship

Meaning Implications for life and business

Implications for MED

People

Time

Resources

Money

ConcludewithprayerforyourstewardshipofthesegiftsfromGod.



Session 4

Doing Business in a Fallen World


Examinetheimpactofsin(theFall)onbusiness.

Discusstheimplicationsofhowweviewandapproach“sin”forbusiness.


Summarychartfromtheprevioussessionon“BusinessasSacredStewardship”

Flipchart

Session Plan 3 minutes:ReadaloudGenesis3:1-�4andtheintroductorystatement.

7 minutes: Divideintotwogroups(ormultiplesetsoffourpeople)onehalflistingfromGenesis3:1-�4theimpactoftheFallonhumanlife,andtheotherhalfGod’sresponse.Discusspeople’simpressions.

7 minutes: Ingroupsoffour,listtheimplicationsoftheFallforwork,relationsandMED.

7 minutes: Basedonthechartprovided,haveparticipantsidentifyanddiscussthedominantunderstandingof“sin”intheircontext.

5 minutes: ReadaloudRomans8:�0-�3anddiscussingroupsoffourwhathascontributedtothecommonbeliefthatGodisprimarilyconcernedwith“spiritual”matters.HowdoesRomans8depictadifferentviewoftheinterdependencyofthenaturalworldandpeople?

5 minutes:AddideasabouttheimplicationsoftheFallforMEDonyourchart,“BusinessasSacredStewardship”.

3 minutes:ConcludeinprayerforGod’sovercomingtheimpactoftheFallonbusiness.

1. Introduction: Havesomeoneread aloud Genesis3:1-�4andthisintroduction.

ThebiblicalstoryoftheoriginoflifemovesfromGod’sgoodcreationtodescribeourpresent“fallen”condition.PeopleandtheworldarenotnowwhatGodintendedthemtobe.HumankindrebelledagainstGod’swaysandbroughtdisharmonytoGod’sgoodcreation.

TheGenesisaccountnotonlydescribesGod’sgoodcreation–italsodescribesthedisruptionofGod’sintendedharmonybyrebellion.Godplacedboundariesaroundhumanbehaviourtoprotectpeoplefrominflictingharmonthemselvesorothers.Becausepeoplerejectedthoseboundaries,harmonywasdestroyedandconflict,deathandsuffer-ingensued.


Session4–DoingBusinessinaFallenWorld 19

The Oxford Declaration on Christian Faith and Economicsproclaims:“PovertywasnotpartofGod’soriginalcreation,norwillpovertybepartofGod’srestoredcreationwhenChristreturns.InvoluntarypovertyinallitsformsandmanifestationsisaresultoftheFallanditsconsequences.Todayoneofeveryfivehumanbeingslivesinpovertysoextremethattheirsurvivalisdailyindoubt.Webelievethisisoffensiveandheart-breakingtoGod.”

Group Exercise: Divide intotwogroups.OnegrouplistsconsequencesoftheFallforhumanlifefromGenesis3:1-�4,andtheotherlistsGod’sresponsesasrecordedinthesameverses.(Ifthegroupislarge,divideintosmallergroupswithhalfofthemsummarising“theimpact”andtheotherhalfsummarising“theresponse”).

Genesis 3:1-24 The biblical account of sin and the Fall

Impact on life God’s response

Discuss asalargegroupanythingpeoplefindsurprisingorstrikingaboutresultsoftheaboveexercise.

Ingroupsoffour,listtheconsequencesforhumanrelationshipsandworkthatthispassagedescribesasstemmingfromtheFall.Whatdoesitmeanforustobelivingandworkingina“fallen”worldwithsinfulpeople?


�0 DoingBusinessintheKingdomofGod

Impact of the Fall Implications for human work and relations

Implications for MED and microfinance

OnourrelationwithGod

Onrelationsbetweenpeople

Onourrelationwithcreation

2. Global Perspectives on “What’s Broken in Life”: Everyreligionandcultureintheworldrecognisesthatlifeisnotwhatitshouldbe.Somethingiswrongwiththeworld!Evil,suffering,corruptionandgreedmustbeexplainedsomehow.

Asanentiregroup, discussthefollowingchart.

• Whatarethedominantexplanationsforlife’s“brokenness”inthesocietywhereyouwork?

• Whataretheimplicationsforbusinesspractices?

• Usingthesamesimplisticoverview,howmightaChristianworldviewbesummarised?


Session4–DoingBusinessinaFallenWorld �1

3. Holistic Redemption: Read aloud Romans8:�0-�3andthefollowingreflections.

Sindidn’tmerelyimpacthumanlifeandpeople’srelationswithGod.Sinimpactedalloflife–evencreationitself.Therefore,God’sworkofredemptionpertainstoeveryaspectoflife–notjusttothesalvationofhumansouls.

Examine thefollowingcharttomakesurethatpeopleunderstandwhatit’sexpressing.


�� DoingBusinessintheKingdomofGod

Ingroupsoffour, discuss commonwayspeoplearetaughttobelieveandactasiftheChurch’s(andbyimplication,God’s)sphereofconcernwasprimarilywithspiritualandinterpersonalaspectsoflife.ListdimensionsoflifecommonlyunderstoodbyyourcommunitytobeoutsideofGod’sprimarysphereofinterest.

• _____________________________________________________________________

• _____________________________________________________________________

• _____________________________________________________________________

Discuss howRomans8portraysadifferentnotionoftheinterdependencybetweentheredemptionofpeopleandthenaturalworld.

Group Exercise: Continueaddingtothelistofbiblicalthemesandtheirimplicationsformicroenterprisedevelopmentthatyoubeganintheprevioussession.As mentioned earlier, you will continue adding to this list throughout the study.


Session4–DoingBusinessinaFallenWorld �3


Biblical principles Meaning for life Implications for MED

People

Time

Resources

Money

ConcludeinprayerforGod’sovercomingtheimpactoftheFallonbusiness.

Note: Alert participants that the next session will require 60 minutes because of group exercises.

(Inpreparationforthenextsession,readthearticlebyKershawBurbank,“AChristianPerspec-tiveonMicorenterpriseLoansandthePaymentofInterest”in“AdditionalResources”,pp.61-67).



Session 5

Redemption: Part 1 – Exodus and God’s Economic Laws


ReviewthebiblicalstoryoftheExodus,andexploreinsightsitprovidestothenatureofGod,andimplicationsforbusiness.


ExamineimplicationsofOldTestamentlawsoftheSabbathandJubileeYearsforcontemporarybusinesspracticesandMED.

Cutthe“PiecesoftheExodusStory”tasksheetintostrips(see“AdditionalResources”,p.60)–ensuringeveryparticipantgetsonestrip

Identifyspecificstepsparticipantswishtotakeinresponsetotheseimplications.

Chartfromprevioussessionson“biblicalprinciples”andMED

Session Plan (Note–thissessiontakes60minutes)

8 minutes:Groupexercisetorefreshpeople’smemoriesoftheExodusstoryandreadingofintroductorymaterialontheExodus.

5 minutes: Personalreflectionandsharinginpairs.

5 minutes:ReadtheintroductorymaterialonGod’seconomiclaws.

10 minutes:DiscussinsmallgroupsthechartsofOldTestamenteconomicprinciples,andLeviticus�5:�3-�4andDeuteronomy15:1-11.

5 minutes:ReadDeuteronomy�4:6-15andtheintroductiontoOldTestamenteconomicprinciplesandcontemporarymarketeconomies.

20 minutes:Groupexerciseandpresentationsonscenarios.

7 minutes:AddideasabouttheimplicationsofOldTestamenteconomiclawsforMEDonyourchart,“BusinessasSacredStewardship”.ConcludebypraisingGodforhisgiftofcreativity.

1. Introduction – The Exodus: Read aloud thisintroduction.

NexttotheCreationaccount,theExoduseventformsthebasisforIsrael’sreligiousbeliefsandsocialpractice.OldTestamentwritersoftenremindIsraelofGod’smightydeliveranceinordertocallthemtoradicalloveforothersandlovingobediencetoGod.GodsaystothepeopleofIsrael:

• I love you – so you are to love others.


Session5-Redemption:Part1–ExodusandGod’sEconomicLaws �5

• I have delivered you – so you are to seek the deliverance of others.

• You know what it was like to be an oppressed slave people – so do not oppress anyone.

• You know what it was like to be poor – so do not impoverish others.

Group Exercise: Refresh yourmemoryoftheExodusstory.Haveeachpersontakeoneofthestripsfromthe“PiecesoftheExodusStory”tasksheet(“AdditionalResources”,p.60).Ifaparticipantdoesnotreceiveone,havehimorherjoinsomeonewhohasastrip.Thestripsofpaperareintentionallyoutoforder.

• Asagroup,put thestoryinorder bystandinginalinewitheachpersonholdingastripsothatthestoryisinitspropersequence.

• Read aloudthestoryfromstarttofinish,witheachpersonreadinghisorherstrip.

Individual Exercise: ReadsilentlythefollowingsummaryofaspectsofGod’scharacterandwillrevealedthroughtheExodus.

God is a God who liberates the oppressed.Goddoesnotfavourtherichandpow-erful,nordoeshesupporttheminoppressionandexploitationofthepoor.Rather,GodjudgesandpunishesthewealthynationofEgyptbecauseitexploitsandoppressespeople.Godliberatesslavesandrespondstothecriesoftheneedy.

God’s salvation of Israel is not accomplished through military might.Moses,God’sservant,doesnothaveanyweaponsexcepthisconfidenceintheLord.Infact,whenMosestakesmattersintohisownhandsbykillinganEgyptiantaskmaster,heisexiledfor40years.OnlywhenhetrustsinthepowerofGod,andnotinthepowerofanarmy,isheabletoliberatethepeople.ThislessonisoftenrepeatedthroughouttheOldTestament.ThepowerofdeliverancerestsinGod.God’svalues–compassion,justiceandcaringforthepoor–arewhatGod’speoplearemosttovalue.

Israel is not called simply to leave the land of Egypt, but to leave the ways of Egypt. ScriptureidentifiesancientEgyptnotsimplyasageographicplacebutasawayoflife,awayofthinkingthatmustberejected.AncientEgyptrepresentstheconsequencesoftheFall–theantithesisofGod’sintentionforcreation:ratherthanabundance–scar-city;ratherthanharmony–violence;ratherthanjustice–oppression.Wemaycallittheeconomy of scarcity ratherthansufficiency! This ideologyconflictswiththetrueworshipofGod.MosestellsPharaohthepeoplemustbesetfreesotheycangotothewildernesstoworshipGod.OncefreeofPharoah,God’speoplearenottousetheirfreedomforselfishindulgenceorsuccumbtotrustingtheirownresources.Rather,thecommandmentsGodgivesIsraelonSinaidemarcateapathtothefullnessoflifeinasocietybasedonloveforGodandneighbourthatistheoppositeofEgypt.Later,whentheprophetsarecompelledtocondemnthepeopleofIsrael,itisbecauseIsraelhasbecomejustlikeancientEgypt–unjust,oppressiveandmaterialistic.



Personal Reflection: ReflectonyourowninvolvementinMEDorinbusinessandanswerthreequestions:

• What,ifany,relationshipscanyoufindbetweenthesethemesinExodusandyourworkinmicrofinanceandMED?

• WhatisthemostrelevantimplicationforyoufromtheExodusstorythatwillaffectyourlife(towhatextentdoyoustrugglewith“thewaysofEgypt”)andyourwork?

• Whatpracticalactionstepscanyoutaketolivethisout?

Share anyofyourthoughtsthatyouwouldlikewiththepersonnexttoyou.

2. God’s Economic Laws. Read aloudthefollowingsummaryofOldTestamentlawsabouteconomiclifeandbusinessrelations.Asyoulisten,underlinewhatyoufindmostsignificant.5

AfterdeliveringIsraelfromslavery,GodledtheIsraelitesintothewildernesstoteachthemhowtostayoutofslavery,protectthepoorandavoidparticipatingintheexploita-tionofothersandtheworshipofthegodsofthelandsandtheworksoftheirownhands.God’sLawwasagift,sayingineffect,“I’ve saved you from slavery and if you want to continue to live a saved life, live this way. In obedience to my way, you will find abundant life.”ItisnosurprisethatmuchofGod’slawfordailylifepertainedtobusinessandeconomics.Infact,theLawasrecordedinLeviticusandDeuteronomyestablishesanentireeconomicsystem.

InLeviticus�5,thelawcommandstwospecialobservances–theSabbathYear(verses1-7)andtheYearofJubilee(verses8-54).TheseextendtheSabbathdayofrestintowiderculturalpatternsintendedtoexpandeconomicwell-beingtothewholecommunity,especiallytothepoor.ThepassageexplainsthattheSabbath Yearisayearofrestwhendebtwasforgiven,indenturedlabourerswerefreed,andthelandrested.Godincludesthenon-humancreationinhissavinggrace.TheSabbathYearisalsoayearofrestforpeople,fortheydonotneedtotillthegroundorsowcrops.Anyresultingproduceistobesharedalsowithtemporaryresidents,passersby,strangersandsojourners.TheSabbathYearensuredthatneitherdebtnorindenturedlabourcouldpermanentlytrapGod’speopleinpovertyorbondage.Inatimebeforechemicalfertilizers,lettingthelandrest(liefallow)ensuredtheproductivityoftheagrarianeconomy.

TheJubilee YearwastobeobservedattheconclusionofsevencyclesofSabbathYears,inthe50thyear.Inthisyear,dispossessedfamiliesreclaimedtheirland,indenturedslavesweretobereleasedanddebtswereforgiven(Deut.15).Thepurposeoftheselawsistheprotectionofpeoplefromstructuraldisadvantages(suchaslossoflandorindenturedslavery)thatwouldtrapthemintheirpovertyandmakeitimpossibletostartover.Jubileeoffersanew beginningoncealifetimeforeverygeneration.Individualinitiative(orlackof

5 ExamplesofOldTestamentlawsaboutthepoorandtheircareinclude:Ex.�3:1-10;Lev.�5;Deut.15:1-15,�4:17-��,�6:1�-15.



initiative)andprivatepropertyweresupported–butwithinboundariesthatprotectedagainstmulti-generationalpoverty.Everybodygotafreshstartduringhisorherlifetime–withequalaccesstothemeansofproduction.

Leviticus�5closeswithGod’sreminderofthereasonfortheselaws,“Fortome[God]thepeopleofIsraelareservants;theyaremyservants,whomIbroughtoutfromthelandofEgypt”(verse55).

Thoughthesystemitselfmaynotbeapplicabletocontemporarycapital-basedmarketeconomies,itcontainsmanyintriguingeconomicprinciples,including:

1. Privatepropertyandindividualentrepreneurialactivitywereprotectedandencouraged.

�. Safeguardswereestablishedtoprovideforandprotectthosewho–becauseofage,genderorinfirmity–couldnotprovideforthemselves.

3. Aliensandstrangersweregivenprotectionsandrights.

4. Multigenerationalinheritedwealthandpovertywaslimitedbyeveryonegettingequalaccesstocapitalandthemeansofproductiononceinhisorherlifetime.

5. Peoplewhothroughlazinessorpoorjudgmentsufferedeconomicallyhadtoexperi-encetheconsequencesoftheiractions.

6. Thelandandevenanimalswereprotectedfromexploitationandabuse.

7. Labourandtradelawsmandatedthatfairwagesbepaidontimeandthatfairmeasuresbeusedincommerce.

8. Processeswereestablishedtoensurefairarbitrationofdisputesandcontracts.

Small Group Discussion: Ingroupsoffour,discussthefollowingthreesetsofquestions:

1) Examine thischartofOldTestamentbusinessprinciples.

Old Testament Business Principles

Environment and animals are protected

Individual property and initiative are

honoured

Multi-generational debt and wealth are

prohibited

Equal access once a lifetime for

everyone to means of production

Dignity of the poor is guarded

Those who can’t compete because of age or infirmity are

provided for

Equal access once a lifetime for everyone to

means of production

Rights of foreign workers are protected

Those who can’t compete because of age or infirmity are

provided for



What,ifanything,surprisesyouaboutthislist?

Howdotheseprinciplescomparetopresentbusinesspracticesinyourowncountry?

2) Read Leviticus 25:23-24, which describes the two foundations of biblical economics.

“The land is mine” God owns all things

Psalm�4:1;Lev.�5:�3

“Remember you are but tenants” We are servants and stewards

Lev.�5:�3

Two foundations of biblical economics

ReflectonhowtheseaspectsoflifeinGod’s“economy”mightimpactyourownapproachtobusiness,possessionsandmoney.

3) Read Deuteronomy 15:1-11. Analyse these verses and discuss what you underlined from the previous section using the following questions. • Verse4says,“…thereshouldbenopooramongyou…”whileverse11says,“…therewill

alwaysbepoorpeopleintheland….”Howdoyouaccountforthisdifference?

• Verses7and8commandGod’speopletoLENDtothepoor.WhatdoesthisimplyabouthowGodseesthecharacterandeconomicpotentialofthepoor?

• Sometimespeoplequoteverse11asjustificationforacceptingpovertyasaGod-givensituationtheyshouldnottrytochange.Basedonthesebiblicalideas,howwouldyourespondtothatkindofthinking?

• WhatarepossibleconnectionsbetweenthisOldTestamenteconomicsystembasedonanagrarianeconomy,andourcontemporarymarketeconomies?

3. Old Testament Economic Principles and Contemporary Market Economies.

Theseversesobviouslyraisemanyquestionsforusaboutbusinessandourengagementinmicrofinance.FurtherdimensionsareaddedinotherprovisionsoftheLaw.Havesomeoneinyourgroupread aloudDeuteronomy�4:6-15.Thenread thefollowingimplicationsofthispassageforthetakingofcollateraltosecureloans.

1. Wecanseethatwenevertakesomethingascollateralthatwouldthreatentheperson’swell-beingorlife,suchasanuppermillstone.Themillstoneswereusedforgrindingwheatintoflour.Withoutamillstoneitisimpossibletomakeflourforbread.Weusethesameprincipletodayinmicrofinance:Whilewewilltakeforcollaterala



person’sequipmentboughtforbusinessexpansion–forexample,acarpenter’snewelectricsaws–wewillnottakehishandtools.Wemustnotrunourprogramssothatfailureonthepartofourclientsmeansthattheybecomedestitute.

�. Weseethatwearenottogointoaperson’shousetotaketheircollateral.Rather,weletthembringittous.Thisprinciplecentersontheissueofdignityandpersonalpride.Godisveryconcernedaboutthedignityofallpeople,andespeciallythedignityofthepoor.

3. Weseethatwedonotkeepthecollateralofthepoorsothattheysuffer.Forexample,acloakcouldbeapledgeforaloan.However,thecloakwasnotonlyacoat;itwasalsoablanketandabedforthepoor.Ourpoliciesmustbeflexibleenoughtomeettheneedsofthepoorest,andensureweseektheirwell-being,andnotjustthe“well-being”ofourloan.

Invite participantstoofferanyreflectionstheyhavefromKerkBurbank’sarticleoninterest.

Small Group Exercise: Divide intogroupsoffourtosixpeople.Eachgroupwillbeassignedoneofthefollowingscenarios(makesurethereisanequalnumberofgroupsforeachscenario.Becauseoftimeconstraints,trytohavenomorethantwogroupsworkoneachscenario).

• Readthescenario.

• Createashortspeech(threetofiveminutes)respondingtoissuesthescenarioraises.DrawingonScripturesandotherprincipleswehavediscussed,youhave10minutestoconstructatheologicallyandculturallyacceptabledefenseofWorldVision’sposition.

• WritemajorpointsofthisspeechonapieceofpaperandselectaspokespersontobetheMFIofficerwhowillgivethespeechtotheentiregroup.

• Theentiregroupwillvoteforthebestspeakerandexplanation.

Scenario One: YouareaChristianWorldVisionmicrofinanceloanofficerinanationthatispredominantlyChristian.ThepastorofyourchurchasksyoutospeakatameetingtoexplainwhyWorldVisiongivesloansratherthangrantstohelppeopleimprovetheirlives.Whatdoyousay?

Scenario Two: YouareinameetingwiththeWorldBankdirectorofyourcountry.HowwouldyouexplainthefundamentaleconomicissueswhichOldTestamentLaw(andespeciallylawsoftheSabbathandJubileeYears)address,andhowWorldVision’sapproachtomicrofinanceaccountsfortheseissues?

(Ifyourgroupislargeandathirdscenariowouldbehelpful,usethescenarioonloanrepaymentandtheSabbathYearin“AdditionalResources”,pp.68-69).

Group Exercise: Asanentiregroup,addtoyourlistofbiblicalprinciplesandimplications–reflectingespeciallyonwaysinwhichMEDcanbeanexpressionoftheJubilee.





People

Time

Resources

Money

Concludeinprayer,praisingGodforthegiftofcreativity!


Session6–Redemption:Part�–LearningfromtheProphets 31

Session 6

Redemption: Part 2 – Learning from the Prophets


ExploreconnectionsbetweenthecriticismbyOldTestamentprophetsofIsrael’seconomicpracticesandourcontemporarybusinesspractices.


Createapropheticwordforourcurrentcontexts.

Chartfromprevioussessionson“BusinessasSacredStewardship”

DescribewaysMEDcontributestobiblicaleconomicjustice.

Session Plan8 minutes: Ingroupsoffour,readtheintroductionandselectionsfromtheOldTestamentProphetsanddiscusstheseideasusingthequestionsprovided.

15 minutes:ReadsilentlythequotationfromtheThe Oxford Declaration on Christian Faith and Economics,underliningideasregardinghowMEDbringsjusticeforthepoor.Inthesamegroupsoffour,writeabrief,propheticmessageforyourcommunitytoday,basedonthecalltoJubilee,andhaverepresentativesfromseveralgroupspresenttheirmessage.

7minutes: ReadinunisonthepromisesfromtheProphetsandaddinsightsfromthisreadingtothe“BusinessasSacredStewardship”chart.

5 minutes: Prayforthecommunitieswhereyouserve.

1. Introduction: The Call of the Prophets for the Poor

Small Group Exercise: Ingroupsoffour,taketurnsreadingaloudthefollowingintroductionandselectionsfromtheOldTestamentProphetsregardingtheircallforeconomicwell-being).

HistoricalandarchaeologicalevidencesuggeststhatIsraelpracticedtheSabbathYearandthatittookseriouslyissuesraisedbytheJubilee.However,thereisevidencethattheradi-caleconomicsystemoutlinedfortheJubilee–andespeciallyitsemphasisonprovisionforthepoorandaliens–wasneverconsistentlyorfullyimplemented.Thisisnotasurprise,forobviouslytheselawswouldbeathreattothewealthyandthoseineconomicpower.Infact,anelaboratesystemcalledtheprosboulwasdeveloped,wherebydebt-holderscouldgivetheloantotheTempleontheyearbeforeaJubilee–thusrelievingthemselves



ofownership.Then,ontheyearaftertheJubilee,theTemplewouldreturntheloantotheholder,andthedebtorwouldretaintheobligation.Inresponse,GodraisedupProphetswhowarnedIsraelthattheyweregoingtoreverttobondageagainiftheydidn’twalkinGod’sways,restrainfromidolatryandprovideforthepoor.

GodcalledIsraeltobeachosenpeople,speciallysetaparttodemonstratewhatwell-beinglookslikeinacommunityofpeople,bearingwitnessamongthenationsofhowGodblessesthosewhowalkinGod’sways.TheHebrewBibletellsthelong,sadstoryofGod’softenunrequitedloveforIsraelandconfrontationwithIsrael’srebellion.Timeandtimeagain,Israelchoosesothergodsandotherwaysoflife.UltimatelyGodjudgesIsraelbyallowingothernationstoconquerthepeopleandtakethemintoexile.TheProphetswarnedIsraelaboutthejudgmentthatwascoming.EverypropheturgedIsraeltorepentandbefaithful.OneofthemajorsinstheProphetspointedtowasIsrael’seconomicinjustice.6

“HearthewordoftheLORD,yourulersofSodom;listentothelawofourGod,youpeopleofGomorrah! Themultitudeofyoursacrifices–whataretheytome?saystheLORD.Ihavemorethanenoughofburntofferings,oframsandthefatoffattenedanimals;Ihavenopleasureinthebloodofbullsandlambsandgoats.Whenyoucometoappearbeforeme,whohasaskedthisofyou,thistramplingofmycourts?Stopbringingmeaninglessofferings!Yourincenseisdetestabletome.NewMoons,Sabbathsandconvocations–Icannotbearyourevilassemblies.YourNewMoonfestivalsandyourappointedfeastsmysoulhates.Theyhavebecomeaburdentome;Iamwearyofbearingthem.Whenyouspreadoutyourhandsinprayer,Iwillhidemyeyesfromyou;evenifyouoffermanyprayers,Iwillnotlisten.

Yourhandsarefullofblood;washandmakeyourselvesclean.Takeyourevildeedsoutofmysight!Stopdoingwrong,learntodoright!Seekjustice,encouragetheoppressed.Defendthecauseofthefatherless,pleadthecaseofthewidow.

Comenow,letusreasontogether,saystheLORD.Thoughyoursinsbelikescarlet,theyshallbeaswhiteassnow;thoughtheyareredascrimson,theyshallbelikewool.Ifyouarewillingandobedient,youwilleatthebestfromtheland;butifyouresistandrebel,youwillbedevouredbythesword.ForthemouthoftheLORDhasspoken.

Seehowthefaithfulcityhasbecomeaharlot!Sheoncewasfullofjustice;righteousnessusedtodwellinher–butnowmurderers!Yoursilverhasbecomedross,yourchoicewineisdilutedwithwater.Yourrulersarerebels,companionsofthieves;theyalllovebribesandchaseaftergifts.Theydonotdefendthecauseofthefatherless;thewidow'scasedoesnotcomebeforethem.” Isaiah 1:10-23

“ThiswastheguiltofyoursisterSodom:sheandherdaughtershadpride,excessoffood,

6 ExamplesofpropheticpassagesthatspeakofGod’spassionforeconomicjusticeinclude:Isaiah1:10-�3,10:1-4,58;Amos�:6-8,5:11-�4;Micah�:1-5,6:6-16.



andprosperousease,butdidnotaidthepoorandneedy.Theywerehaughty,anddidabomi-nablethingsbeforeme;thereforeIremovedthemwhenIsawit.”Ezekiel 16:49-50

“Ifamanisrighteousanddoeswhatislawfulandright–ifhedoesnoteatuponthemountainsorliftupeyestotheidolsofthehouseofIsrael,doesnotdefilehisneighbour’swife…doesnotoppressanyone,butrestorestothedebtorhispledge,commitsnorobbery,giveshisbreadtothehungryandcoversthenakedwithagarment,doesnottakeadvanceoraccruedinterest,withholdshishandfrominiquity,executestruejusticebetweencontendingpartners…–suchaoneisrighteous;heshallsurelylive,saystheLordGod.”Ezekiel 18:5-9

“Youwhoturnjusticeintobitternessandcastrighteousnesstotheground….youhatetheonewhoreprovesincourtanddespisehimwhotellsthetruth.Youtrampleonthepoorandforcehimtogiveyougrain.Therefore,thoughyouhavebuiltstonemansions,youwillnotliveinthem;thoughyouhaveplantedlushvineyards,youwillnotdrinktheirwine.ForIknowhowmanyareyouroffensesandhowgreatareyoursins.Youoppresstherighteousandtakebribesandyoudeprivethepoorofjusticeinthecourts.Therefore,theprudentmankeepsquietinsuchtimes,forthetimesareevil.Seekgoodandnotevil,thatyoumaylive.ThentheLordGodAlmightywillbewithyouasyousayheis.Hateevil,lovethegood;maintainjusticeinthecourts.”Amos 5: 7-15

Small Group Discussion:

• InwhatwaysdothesepropheticrebukesandpromisesrelatetoIsrael’sfulfillmentofOldTestamenteconomiclaws,especiallytheSabbathandJubileeYears?

• WhatcommonconcernsdoyouseebetweentheProphets’eraandourtime?

• Wheremightsuchpropheticwordsbeneededtoday–inyourcommunity,yourcountryandourworld?

Entire Group: Invitepeopletosharefromtheirsmallgroupdiscussionskeyinsights.

2. Prophetic Words for Today: Whilesomeonereads aloudthefollowingsectionsoftheOxford Declaration on Christian Faith and Economics,underlineanyideasthatrelatespecificallytohowyourworkinMEDbringsGod’sjusticeforthepoor.

“38.BiblicaljusticemeansimpartiallyrenderingtoeveryonetheirdueinconformitywiththestandardsofGod’smorallaw.Paulusesjustice(orrighteousness)initsmostcom-prehensivesenseasametaphortodescribeGod’screativeandpowerfulredemptivelove.Christ,solelyingrace,broughtusintoGod’scommonwealth,whowerestrangerstoitandbecauseofsincutofffromit(Romans1:17-18;3:�1-�6;Ephesians�:4-��).InBiblicalpassageswhichdealwiththedistributionofthebenefitsofsociallifeinthecontextofsocialconflictandsocialwrong,justiceisrelatedparticularlytowhatisduetogroupssuchasthepoor,widows,orphans,residentaliens,wageearnersandslaves.Thecommonlinkamongthesegroupsispowerlessnessbyvirtueofeconomicandsocialneeds.The



justicecalledforthistorestorethesegroupstotheprovisionGodintendsforthem….OneessentialcharacteristicofBiblicaljusticeisthemeetingofbasicneedsthathavebeendeniedincontradictiontothestandardsofScripture;butfurther,theBiblegivesindicationofhowtoidentifywhichneedsarebasic.Theyarethoseessential,notjustforlife,butforlifeinsociety.

39.Justicerequiresspecialattentiontotheweakmembersofthecommunitybecauseoftheirgreatervulnerability.Inthissense,justiceispartial.Nevertheless,thecivilarrange-mentsinrenderingjusticearenottogobeyondwhatisduetothepoorortotherich(Deuteronomy1:17;Leviticus19:15).Inthissensejusticeisultimatelyimpartial.

40.Justicerequiresconditionssuchthateachpersonisabletoparticipateinsocietyinawaycompatiblewithhumandignity.Absolutepoverty,wherepeoplelackevenminimalfoodandhousing,basiceducation,healthcare,andemployment,deniespeoplethebasiceconomicresourcesnecessaryforjustparticipationinthecommunity.Correctiveactionwithandonbehalfofthepoorisanecessaryactofjustice.Thisentailsresponsibilitiesforindividuals,families,churches,andgovernments.

41.Justicemayalsorequiresocio-politicalactionsthatenablethepoortohelpthemselvesandbethesubjectsoftheirowndevelopmentandthedevelopmentoftheircommunities.Webelievethatweandtheinstitutionsinwhichweparticipateareresponsibletocreateanenvironmentoflaw,economicactivity,andspiritualnurturewhichcreatesthesecondi-tions.”Oxford Declaration on Christian Faith and Economics

Small Group Exercise:Ingroupsoffour,imagineyouarecalledbyGodtodeliverapropheticmessageinourtimetopeopleinyourcountry.InthespiritofthelessonsfromtheCreation,theExodusstories,andthelawsofSabbathandJubilee,writeashortparagraphwithapropheticmessageforyourcommunities.Youhaveeightminutestowrite.



Hear the Word of the Lord:

Representativesfromseveralgroupswillbeinvitedtoproclaimtheirmessage!

3. Prophetic Promises: TheProphetsdidnotjustofferrebukes;theyalsoproclaimedwonderfulpromises.Asanentiregroup,read aloudinunisonthefollowingexamples.

“Thetreesofthefieldwillyieldtheirfruitandthegroundwillyielditscrops;thepeoplewillbesecureintheirland.TheywillknowthatIamtheLordwhenIbreakthebarsoftheiryokeandrescuethemfromthehandsofthosewhoenslavedthem…Theywillnolongerbevictimsoffamineinthelandorbearthescornofnations”. Ezekiel 34:27-29

Thesoundofweepingandofcryingwillbeheardinitnomore,

Neveragainwilltherebeinitaninfantthatlivesbutafewdays,

Oranoldmanwhodoesnotliveouthisyears;

Hewhodiesatahundredwillbethoughtamereyouth;



Hewhofailstoreachahundredwillbeconsideredaccursed.

Theywillbuildhousesanddwellinthem;

Theywillplantvineyardsandeattheirfruit.

Nolongerwilltheybuildhousesandothersliveinthem,orplantandotherseat.Isaiah 65:19-22

DiscusshowMEDcancontributetobringingaboutthisvisionofjoy,justiceandhopeincom-munitieswhereyouserve.ContinuetolistbiblicalprinciplesandimplicationsforMED–basedontheProphets.



People

Time

Resources

Money

Prayforthecommunitieswhereyouserve–thatthekingdomofGodwillcomeintopeople’slivesinthisfullness.


Session 7

Redemption: Part 3 – Jesus Christ


RelateOldTestamanteconomicLawsandpropheciestothelifeandministryofJesus.


ExamineJesus’lifeasamicro-entrepreneurandcreatearoleplayofJesusapplyingforaloan.

Post-itnotes

ExpandthedescriptionofwaysinwhichhowwetreatthepoorandengageinMEDcontributetoGod’spurposes.

Chartfromprevioussessionson“BusinessasSacredStewardship”

Session Plan (45minutes)

12 minutes: Asanentiregroup,haveindividualsreadaloudselectedpassagesfromtheNewTestamentregardingJesusandthepoor,andsummariseasagroupkeyeconomicprinciples.Posttheseonthewall.

18 minutes: Ingroupsoffour,readanddiscussideasregardingthelifeofJesusasasmallbusinessman,createandperformarole-playdialoguebetweenJesusandanMFIofficer.

8 minutes:ReadideasontheimplicationsoftheCrossforbusiness,anddiscusshowtheyrelatetocriteriaforsuccessinMED.

5 minutes: AddfurtherthoughtsderivedfromthelifeofJesusforbusinessassacredstewardship.

2 minutes:Concludeinprayer,askingthatyouandyourclientsfollowthewayofJesus–andthewayoftheCross–inMED.

1. Jesus and the Poor: Inviteseveralpeopletoread aloudtheseintroductorythoughtsaboutJesusandselectedNewTestamentpassagesonGod’sintentionsforeconomicwell-being.Aspeopleread,markastar(*)byanyideasthatarenewtoyouorthatrelatetoeconomicsandtheJubilee.

TheNewTestamentamplifiesthemessageofGod’sinterestineconomicsandconcernforthepoor.ThroughJesus,thekingdomofGodbreaksintohumanhistory.Infact,somecommentatorsbelievethatJesus’firstsermonproclaimstheinaugurationoftheJubilee.Isaiah61:1-�wasregardedasamessianicprophecy,andsomecommentatorsassertthatthe“yearoftheLord’sfavour”wasthephraseusedtoannouncetheyearoftheJubilee.Jesusread,‘“TheSpiritoftheLordisonme,becausehehasanointedmetoproclaim

Session7–Redemption:Part3–JesusChrist 37



goodnewstothepoor.Hehassentmetoproclaimfreedomtotheprisonersandrecoveryofsightfortheblind,tosettheoppressedfreeandtoproclaimtheyearoftheLord’sfavour.”.…“Today,thisscriptureisfulfilledinyourhearing.’”(Luke4:18-�1).JesuscontinuedbyproclaimingthatoutsiderstoIsrael–andnotjustIsrael–receiveGod’sblessing.HisinaugurationoftheJubileewasaneconomicthreat–andtheannouncementofGod’sblessingonthepoorandonoutsiderstoIsraelwasasocialscandal.Sowhatwastheresponsetohisfirstsermon?Hisownneighbourstriedtokillhim((Luke4:�9).

ManybiblicalscholarsbelievethatmuchofJesus’life,teachingandministryannouncedandembodiedinaugurationofapermanentJubilee.Money,economicsandjusticeforthepoorwerecentralthemestohisteaching.AsintheOldTestament,Jesus’concernfortheseaspectsoflifewasnottoestablishwaystoearnGod’slove–ameansofsalvation;buttoexpressourresponsetoGod’slove–awaytokeeplivingasavedlife.Jesusdidnotonlyteachabout“heavenly”and“spiritualthings”.HisteachingreflectedtheOldTesta-mentemphasisonhowourfaithinGodimpactsourdailylifeandespeciallyourresponsetothepoor.JesuscallshisfollowerstoliveaccordingtotheeconomicpatternproclaimedintheOldTestamentlawsoftheSabbathandJubileeYears.

Jesus lived among the poor and identified with them.Hefreelygaveuptheoppor-tunitytomakeadecentlivingasacarpenterforthesakeofhisministry.(Notsurprising,consideringJesusgaveupthe“privileges”ofGodtotakeonhumanlimitationsforourredemption!)Whilehetraveledwithhisdisciples,hedependedonthegenerosityofothers.Heoncesaidthatthesonofmanhasnoplacetolayhishead(Matt.8:�0).(Read�Corinthians8:9–Thoughhewasrich,foryoursakeshebecamepoor.)

Jesus emphasized the need to be a good borrower, a good lender and to provide for the poor.(ReadMatt.5:�5-�6;4�;Matt.6:9-1�;Luke6:34-35;seealsoDeut.15:7-8–JesusendorsedtheOldTestamentmandates).

Jesus empowered the poor and defended the cause of the powerless.(ReadLuke7:18-�3andMark1�:41-43–Thedeafhear;thedeadareraised;thepoorhavegoodnewsbroughttothem.Jesuscommendedthewidowforgivingupherlastcoinstothetempletreasury.JesusdenouncedTempleleadersfordevouringwidows’houses.)

Jesus challenged the wealthy not to trust in their riches for salvation.(ReadLuke18:18-30–Jesustoldtherichrulertosellallheownedanddistributethemoneytothepoor,andhewouldhavetreasureinheaven;thenhewastocomeandfollowJesus.)

Jesus taught that how we treat the poor is an indication of the nature of our relationship with God. (ReadLuke19:1-10andMatt.�5:31-46–ZacchaeussaidhewouldgivehalfhispossessionstothepoorandfollowthelawofEx.��:1-�and�Sam.1�:6bypayingbackfourtimesasmuchtothosehecheated.Asaresult,Jesussaid,todaysalvationcametothishouse.)


Jesus warned against ignoring the poor.(ReadLuke16:19-31–InthestoryoftherichmanandLazarus,AbrahamtellstherichmanthatifhisfivelivingbrothersdidnotlistentoMosesandtheProphetsaboutnotignoringthepoor,theywouldn’tbeconvincedevenifsomeonerosefromthedead.)

Group Exercise: Call out itemsyoumarkedwithastar(*). Write onPost-itnoteskeyprinciplesderivedfromJesus’lifeandteachingabouteconomicsandthepoor. Postthemonthewall.

2. Jesus and Abundance: Asanentiregroup,havesomeoneread aloudthefollowingthoughtsabouthowJesustransformslivesandplacesofscarcityintolivesandplacesofabundance–andcallstheChristiancommunitytodothesame.

JesuscalledpeopletolivewithtrustingconfidenceinGod’sgraciousprovisionandforoureconomiclifetomodeltheprinciplesexpressedintheSabbathrestandJubilee(for a review of the principles of the Jubilee, see p. 26).HislifeonourbehalfredeemsworkfromthedisruptionoftheFall.Jesus’followersaretobeasignofabundanceintheworldwheresinhadturnedGod’screationintoaplaceofscarcity.InJesus,weencounterGod’sabundantprovisiontotransformscarcityintoabundance.Weseethisinmanystories.Forexample,whenwinerunsoutataweddinginCana,Jesusturnswaterintoabundantandfinerwine.Whenpeoplelackfood,thedisciplesthinkitisbeyondhopetofeedsolargeacrowdinthisplace.Butwithjustafewfishandloaves,Jesusfeedsthemallwithplentyleftover.Thesestoriesarefamiliar,butbecausetheyareutterlymiraculous,don’toffermuchguidancefortheday-to-daydemandsofrunningabusiness.Therefore,itishelpfultothinkofanotheraspectofJesus’life–Jesusthesmallbusinessman.

Small Group Exercise: Ingroupsoffour,readthefollowingcase studyon“JesusasaMicro-Entrepreneur”developedbyKerkBurbank.

“WhenwereadaboutJesusintheGospels,weseethestoryofhisbirth,childhood,andthenhisministry,deathandresurrection.TheGospelstellusclearlythestoryofJesusastheChrist,theSonofGod,buttelluslittleaboutJesusasamanbeforehewascalledintoministry.WeknowverylittleabouttheyearsbetweenhistriptotheTemplewithhisparentsattheageof1�(Luke�)andthestartofhisministrywhenHewasbaptizedbyJohnintheJordan.

ForthoseofuswhoworkinMED,thisomissionissadbecauseJesuslikelyspentabout18yearsofhislifefirstasaworkerorapprenticeinamicroenterpriseandthenpossiblyasanownerofthatenterprise.Asamaturingyoungmanof1�,Jesuswouldalmostcertainlyhavebeguntoworkwithhisfatherasacarpenter.WhilecontinuingtheeducationalandreligioustrainingsovaluedinJewishculture,astheeldestsonhewouldlikelyhavegoneontorunthebusinesswhenhisfatherdied(probablysometimebeforeJesuswasbaptizedbyJohnaroundtheageof30).WhiletheBibledoesnottellusmuchaboutthoseyears,




scholarsresearchingwhatlifewaslikeinthosetimescangiveussomeinsightintoJesus’workasacarpenter.WhilesomescholarsquestionwhetherJesusactuallyrana“carpen-trybusiness”,itisundisputedthatheworkedwithhishandsatatrade.

HenriDaniel-Ropp7providesthefollowingdescription:‛Thewordforcarpenter,naggarinAramaic,liketektoninGreek,meantbothcarpenterandjoiner,andinageneralsense,“thebuilderofhouses”.Andtothismaybeaddedcabinet-maker,carver,wheelwrightandplough-andyoke-maker,aswellaswoodcutter,tobeginattheverybeginning…Theworkshopofthecarpenter,ofthenaggar– aworkshoplikeSaintJoseph’s,forexample,atNazareth–hadtobeequippedforallthekindsofworkthatwouldbeordered.Onemanwouldcometohavethestiltorthecoulterofhisploughrepaired;anotherwouldaskforapergolatobesetupalongthesideofhishouse;awomanmightcometobuyachestorpossiblyabusheltomeasureherwheat,anotherakneading-trough,andstillanotherasupportforstrawpallets;oramasonwouldcometoorderjambsandlintelsfordoors.’”

Discussthefollowingquestions,usingyourimaginationandyourknowledgeandexperienceofsmallbusinessesamongthepoor:

1. WhatdoyouthinkJesus’wageswerewhenhewasayoungapprenticeworkingwithhisfatherinthefamilybusiness?

�. WhattemptationsandproblemsmightJesushavefacedasaworkerwithhisfatherJosephashisboss?

3. WhatchallengesdoyouthinkJesusmighthavehaddealingwithcustomers?Wouldhehavehadtobargainandnegotiatepriceswiththecustomers?

4. WhatdoesJesus’experiencerunningasmallbusinesscontributetoyourperceptionofhisabilitytounderstandtheneeds,problemsandprayersofownersandemployeesinmicroenterpriseoperations?

5. IfyouwereanMFIofficerinNazareth,whatrequirementswouldyouputonJesusinor-derforhimtoqualifyforaloan?

6. Howcouldyouusetheseideaswithsmallbusinesspeople?

Createashortroleplay(threetofiveminutes)thatportraysadialoguebetweenJesusandanMFIloanofficerreviewingJesus’applicationforaloantoexpandhiscarpentrybusiness.

Severalgroupswillpresenttheirdramabeforetheentiregroup.

3. Jesus, the Cross and Business: Read silentlythefollowingsummary,andunderlinethoughtsyou’dliketodiscuss.

IthasbeenassertedinthisstudythatGodhasordainedprinciplesbywhichbusinessshouldbeconducted. Ifbusinessisdone“God’sway”thenitshouldprosper.However,

7 HenriDaniel-Ropp,Daily: Life in the Time of Jesus(AnnArbor,MI,ServantBooks)1961:pp.�41-�43.


weliveinafallenworld,oneinconflictwiththewaysofGod.BothJesusandtheOldTestamentprophetsmakeclearthatthereisnorighteouscultureornation.Therefore,itisalsoassertedthatwhenbusinessisdone“God’sway”itmayfaceopposition.

Infact,thereisaconflictbetweenGod’skingdomandthekingdomsoftheworld.Jesuswasalmostkilledafterhisfirstsermon–whenpossiblyheannouncedtheinaugurationoftheJubilee.Hefinallywaskilledthreeyearslater.ThoughGodintendedthisforhumanredemption–fromahumanperspective,Jesuswasexecutedforupsettingthereligious,politicalandeconomicstatus quo.

BusinessesoperatinginaccordancewithGod’skingdomvaluesthereforeshouldexpectthattheywill“gototheCross”.ToengageinbusinessistobeattheheartofthestrugglebetweenthekingdomofGodandthekingdomsofthisworld.Thisaddsonemoreinsight:whybusinessisbestviewedas“full-time”Christianservice–standingonthe“frontline”manifestingsignsofGod’scomingkingdom.

ReviewthissummaryoftheeconomicprinciplesoftheJubilee.

1. Privatepropertyandindividualentrepreneurialactivitywereprotectedandencouraged.

�. Safeguardswereestablishedtoprovideforandprotectthosewhobecauseofage,genderorinfirmitycouldnotprovideforthemselves.

3. Foreignworkersandstrangersweregivenprotectionsandrights.

4. Multigenerationalinheritedwealthandpovertywaslimitedbyeveryonegettingequalac-cesstocapitalandthemeansofproductiononceintheirlifetime.

5. Peoplewhothroughlazinessorpoorjudgmentsufferedeconomicallyhadtoexperiencetheconsequencesoftheiractions.

6. Thelandandevenanimalswereprotectedfromexploitationandabuse.

7. Labourandtradelawsmandatedthatfairwagesbepaidontimeandthatfairmeasuresbeusedincommerce.

8. Processeswereestablishedtoensurefairarbitrationofdisputesandcontracts.

Group Exercise: DiscussasalargegrouphowtheseprinciplesandJesus’deathonthecrossredefinesuccess.Whatimplicationsaretherefor:

• howyouengageinmicrofinance,

• howyouhelpaclientdevelopabusinessplananddeterminewhetheraclientqualifiesforaloan,and

• criteriayourboard(andfunders)shouldbeencouragedtousetorevieweffectivenessofyourMFI?

ContinuetolistbiblicalprinciplesandimplicationsforMED–basedonthelifeofJesus.






People

Time

Resources

Money

Concludeinprayer,thatyouandyourclientscouldfollowthewayofJesus–andtheCross–inMED.


Session8–NewCreation:TheSpiritandtheChurch 43

Session 8

New Creation: The Spirit and the Church


Picturewayschurchestodayfaithfullyexpressbiblicaleconomicmandates.


OutlinewaysMEDprogramscancontributetocharacterandmoraldevelopment.

Paperandcolouredpens/pencils/crayonsfordrawing

CelebratewaysourowneconomicvalueshavebeenshapedbytheSpiritofGod.


Session Plan 10 minutes: HaveonepersonreadtheIntroduction,andinviteparticipantstocreateadrawingoftheirexperienceoftheChurch’seconomicpractices.Invitethosewhowishtoexplaintheirdrawingstothegroup.

7 minutes:Divideintogroupsoffour,witheachgroupreadinganddiscussingoneoftheBiblepassageslisted.

10 minutes:Asanentiregroup,haveonepersonreadaloudthesummaryofpossibleimplicationsanddiscusstheroleofMED/MFIstaffmembersinhelpingclientsunderstandandpractice“Jubilee”economics.

5 minutes:Addtoyourgroup’ssummarychartofbusinessassacredstewardship

5 minutes:Giveparticipantstimeforpersonalreflectiononthetransformationoftheirownvaluesandbehavioursinbusiness.

3 minutes:PraytogetherasagroupfortheSpirittocontinuetotransformyouandyourMEDprogram.

1. Introduction: New Life in Christ. Asonepersonreads aloudthissummaryoftheimpactofChrist’sresurrectionandthegiftoftheSpiritontheeconomiclifeoftheearlychurch,underlineideasthathavespecialrelevanceforMEDtoday.

Thebiblicalstorydoesn’tendwithJesus’deathontheCross.TheCrossledtotheresurrection.Jesusdiedtodefeatthepowerofsin,deathandtheadversarythatkeptpeoplefromlivingGod’swayandkeptcreationgroaninginlabour.HerosefromthedeadtousherinthepowerofGod’snewkingdom.TheCrossbrokethegripoftheeconomicsofscarcityanddeath–throughtheresurrection,theeconomicsofsufficiencyandlifebreakintohumanexistence.TheresurrectionledtonewlifebytheSpiritofGodforall



whofollowedJesusastheirLordandSaviour.It’sonlynatural,therefore,thatoneofthewaystheearlychurchwouldunderstandtheirnewlifeintheSpiritpertainedtohowtheydealtwitheconomics.

Fortheearlychurch,materialresourceswerestewardedforthegoodofthewhole(Phil.�:3-4)andnotjustforpersonalgain,suchthattherewasnoneedypersonamongthefirstbelievers(Acts4:3�-34).NeglectoroppressionofthepoorwasviewedasindicativeoflackofbeliefinGod(1John3:16-18).ThisisexpressedbytheOxford Declaration on Christian Faith and Economics, articles37-38,whichproclaim,“ItistheresponsibilityofeverysocietytoprovidepeoplewiththemeanstoliveatalevelconsistentwiththeirstandingaspersonscreatedintheimageofGod…Inacontextofsocialconflictandsocialwrong…thejusticecalledforthistorestoregroupssuchasthepoor,widows,orphans,aliens,slavestotheprovisionGodintendsforthem…Justicemayalsorequiresocio-politicalactionsthatenablethepoortohelpthemselvesandbethesubjectsoftheirowndevelopmentandthedevelopmentoftheircommunities.”

Individual Reflection: Thinkforafewmomentsonyourchurchexperience.InwhatwaysdoestheChristiancommunityofwhichyouareapartalreadydemonstratefaithfulpracticeofeconomicjusticeandtransformedeconomicrelationships?Draw apicture–usingimages,symbols,scenes,andsoon–toillustrate.

Invitethosewhowishtoexplaintheirdrawingstothegroup.

Small Group Exercise: Ingroupsoffour, haveeachgrouptakeoneofthefollowingpassagesofScripture:

• Acts 4:32-37 “there was no needy person among them”

• Acts 5:1-11“wasn’t the money at your disposal?”

• 2 Corinthians 8:1-15“our desire was that there might be equality”

Discussthefollowingquestions:

• WhataspectsofJubileeeconomicswastheearlychurchapparentlypracticing?

• What,ifany,aretheimplicationsoftheirpracticesforoureconomiclifetoday?

Group Discussion:Readandevaluatethefollowingstatementofimplicationsregardingtheeconomicpracticesoftheearlychurch.

TheearlychurchwasempoweredbytheSpirittopracticeaspectsof“Jubilee”economics.ThoughtheliteralcommandsoftheJubileewerenotpracticed,itseemsapparentthatmanyofitsintentswere.Wecandrawthreeimplicationsfromthis:

1. EarlyChristianssoughttoliveaccordingtotheneweconomicpatternofthekingdom.

�. TheeconomicvaluesandbehaviourscalledforinGod’skingdomneedtobelearned.


Session8–NewCreation:TheSpiritandtheChurch 45

3. InvolvementinmicrofinanceandtransformationaldevelopmentisanexpressionoftheeconomicsofGod’skingdom:

• lendingtothepoor,

• enablingthosewithresourcestoprovideforthosewithout,

• helpingthepoortogainaccesstothemeansofproduction,

• minimisingthe“slavery”ofmulti-generationalpoverty.

Discussthefollowingquestions:

1. Sincebiblicaleconomicpracticesrequireteaching,modelinganddiscipleship,whatistheroleofmicrofinanceprogramsinenablingindividuals(bothdonorsandclients)notjusttogiveaccesstoandgeneratewealth,buttounderstandandpractice“Jubilee”economics?

�. Whatistheroleofeachindividualmicrofinancestaffmember’scharacter,relationshipwithGod,andattitudetowardandrelationshipwiththepoorinhelpingclientspractice“Jubilee”economics?

Asanentiregroup,continuetolistbiblicalprinciplesandimplicationsforMED–basedontheworkoftheSpiritofGod.



People

Time

Resources

Money



Personal Reflection Questions:ReflectsilentlyontheimpactofGod’stransformingSpiritonyourownvaluesregardingbusinessandmoney.Youmightwanttowritedownafewthoughts.

“IfanyoneisinChrist,thenewcreationhascome:Theoldhasgone,thenewishere!AllthisisfromGod,whoreconciledustohimselfthroughChrist”2 Corinthians 5:17-18.

• Whathascontributedtotransformationofyourownvaluestowardmoneyandwork,conformingthemmoreandmoretothevaluesofGod’skingdom?

• Inwhatwaysdoyoudesireforyoureconomicvaluesandbehaviourstobestillfurthertransformed?

• InwhatwayscouldyourworkinMEDbeadjustedtoenablemoreholisticengagementwiththepeopleyouserve?

ConcludebyprayingtogetherfortheHolySpirittocontinuebothyourowntransformationinChrist,aswellasthetransformationofyourMEDprogramandthepeopleyouserve.


Session9–Hope:NewHeavenandNewEarth 47

Session 9

Hope: New Heaven and New Earth


ExaminewaysinwhichMEDcanpointtothefulfillmentofGod’spromisesinanewheavenandearth.


Summarisekeystoengenderinghopeinpeople.


ReflectpersonallyonhowGodisglorifiedthroughworkinMED.

Session Plan7 minutes: InviteparticipantstoreadsilentlytheintroductorystatementonMEDandhope,andthenreadaloudthethreeBiblepassageswithparticipantsunderliningphrasesthatspeaktohopeandlivelihood.

10 minutes:Ingroupsoffour,discussthisstatementandthesepassages,usingthequestionsprovided.

7 minutes:Asalargegroup,inviteparticipantstosharewaysthey’veseenMEDengenderhope.InvitesomeonetoreadVinaySamuel’sstatementonhopeandthendiscussasagroupthediagramonthecomingofthekingdomofGod.

7 minutes:Inviteparticipantstoreadsilentlyreflectionsonwayswebringevidenceofthefutureintothepresent,andponderthequestion–howisGodglorifiedthroughtheirworkinMED?

7 minutes:Ingroupsoffour,discusshowyouwouldexplainthenatureofyourhopetoaclient,andhowthisrelatestoMED.

5 minutes:Asalargegroup,addtoyourchartthoughtsabouthowhopeimpactsbusinessassacredstewardship.

3 minutes: Concludebyprayingforclients,thatGodwouldinspiretheirvisionandhope.

1. Introduction – Good News about the Future: Read silentlyasindividualsthefollowingintroduction.Then,asanentiregroup,taketurnshavingpeopleread aloudtheselectedScripturepassages.

ThenewlifewhichfollowersofChristreceivebytheSpiritempowersthemtoliveinhope,anticipatingthedaywhenJesustheMessiahwillfullyrestorecreationtoGod’soriginalintentioninanewheavenandearth–onceandforalleradicatingtheravagesof



sin,sufferingandevilintheFall.Thebiblicalpromiseofafuture,finaljudgmentisgoodnewsforthepoor.Oneday,allsorrowswillcease,andallinjusticeswillend.Onedaywealthwillbeadequatelydistributedsothatnoonewillhungerorthirst,ornotbeabletoenjoythefruitoftheirownlabour.

Thisisgoodnewsforthepoor(and,inaway,fortherich).Ourpresentglobalapproachto“trickledown”economicshasbroughtsomebenefittotheverypoor,butthe“driprate”isverysmallandslow.Theperiodof1989-1997sawthelargestgrowthinglobalwealthintheworld’shistory–a40%increase!Yet,therealincomeofover1billionoftheworld’spoorestpeopleislessin�000thanin1990.Manytransnationalcorporationscanworkoutsidetheboundariesofaparticularnation’swagelaws,taxstructures,occupationalsafetyandhealthrequirementsandenvironmentalprotectionstandards.Thoughtheymaygener-atesomeemploymentandincomeforthepoor,andnurtureemergingmiddleclasses,the“trickledownrate”ofthesebenefitsbarelyreachesthepoorestofthepoor.

Microenterprisedevelopment,whenintegratedintoacomprehensivecommunitydevelop-mentprogram,canreachthemostvulnerableofthepoor.MEDprovidesfamiliesandcommunitiesnotonlywithsustainablelivelihoods,butwithindicatorsofGod’scomingfuture.MEDdependsonpeoplehavingavisionthatisfilledwithenoughhopeforabetterfuturetojustifytheirpresentrisksandhardwork.Ourvisionofthefuturewilldetermineouractionsinthepresent.ThefirsttaskofanMFI,therefore,istofindpeoplewithsomehopeforthefuture,andempowerthemtoinspireothers.Thisiswhymostmicrofinanceprogramsdon’tinitiallyfocusonthepoorestofthepoor–fortheyoftenarewithouthope.Assistingtheeconomicallyactivepoorcanstimulatetheeconomy,generatehopeandprovideopportunitiesforthepoorest.ThisalsoiswhyMEDmustbeintegratedintoanoveralltransformationaldevelopmentstrategy–sothatthosewithouthopecanbeinspiredandthusbereadytoengageinMED.Thedurabilityofourhopewilldependonourcertaintyregardingthefuture.Biblically,weareassuredofanunshakablehope.

Whileindividualsread aloudthefollowingpassages,underlinesectionsthatrelatespecificallytoourhopeandeconomiclivelihood.

“ForIamabouttocreateanewheavenandanewearth…begladandrejoiceinwhatIamcreating…Nomoreshallthesoundofweepingbeheardinthecityorthecryofdistress.Nomoreshalltherebeinitaninfantwholivesbutafewdays,oranoldpersonwhodoesnotliveoutalifetime…Theyshallbuildhousesandinhabitthem;theyshallplantvineyardsandeattheirfruit…Mychosenshallenjoytheworkoftheirhands.Theyshallnotlabourinvain,orbearchildrenforcalamity…Thewolfandthelambshallfeedtogether,thelionshalleatstrawliketheox…Theyshallnothurtordestroyonmyholymountain.” Isaiah 65:17-25

“Wehavereceivedakingdomwhichcannotbeshaken.”Hebrews 12:28



Wehavereceived“ahopewhichisareliableanchorforourlives,”aneternalfuture,whereJesusthehighpriestadvocatesandintercedes.” Hebrews. 6:19-20

“ThenIsawanewheavenandanewearthforthefirstheavenandthefirstearthhadpassedaway,andtherewasnolongeranysea.IsawtheHolyCity,thenewJerusalem,comingdownoutofheavenfromGod,preparedasabridebeautifullydressedforherhusband.AndIheardaloudvoicefromthethronesaying,‘Look!God’sdwellingplaceisnowamongpeople,andhewilldwellwiththem.Theywillbehispeopleandhewilldwellwiththem.Theywillbehispeople,andGodhimselfwillbewiththemandbetheirGod.Hewillwipeeverytearfromtheireyes.Therewillbenomoredeathormourningorcryingorpain,fortheoldorderofthingshaspassedaway.’…‘Iammakingeverythingnew!’…Thenationswillwalkbyitslight,andthekingsoftheearthwillbringtheirgloryintoit…Peoplewillbringintoitthegloryandthehonourofthenations.”Revelation 21:1-5, 24-26

Small Group Discussion.Ingroupsoffour:

ListthewaystheseversesportraythefulfillmentofGod’sintentforhumankind.

Discusshowtheseversesportraytheinter-relationbetweenspiritualandsocio-eco-nomictransformation.

DescribehowourworkinMEDasanexpressionofOldTestamentJubileeeconomicscanactuallybeprophetic–expressingGod’soriginalintentforcreation,overcomingsomeconsequencesoftheFall,andpointingtoGod’sfuturefulfillmentinthenewheavenandearth?

Group Discussion: Ourworkinthepresentgivesevidenceofwhatwebelieveregardingthefuture.MEDparticipatesinGod’swillbydiminishingsuffering,povertyandinjustice.Whenwedothis,weencouragehope–andwepointpeopletoGodandtoGod’snewheavenandearth.

Share examplesofwaysyouhaveseenMEDengenderhopeinpeople.WhatfactorsmustbepresentforpeopletogivethankstoGodforthis–andnotjusttotheMFIortheirownhardwork?

Read aloud thefollowingthoughtsbyVinaySamuelontherelationshipbetweenourhopeforthefutureandcommitmenttothepresent.

“Withoutakingdom-centeredhope,ourlifeintheworldwilleitherbeexhaustingorirrelevant.We’lleitherwearourselvesoutthinkingwearetheoneswhomustsolvetheworld’sproblemsandbringtheKingdomtoearth.Or,we’llmakeourselvesirrelevantbythinkinghopemeanswesimplywaitforheaven.Inthefirstapproach,wetendtouniver-salizeourownsocialvaluesandtrytoimposethemontheworld.Inthesecond,wetendsimplytoconformtothevaluesofthesocietyaroundus.



Weneedavisionfortheearthlycity,drivenbyhope.Ourhopeisnottobuildacity,buttobuildapeopletoliveouttheexperienceoftheheavenlycityintheearthlycity.Hopeistheexperienceoftheheavenlycityinthepresentlivesofpeoplewhothoughresidentintheearthlycity,reflecttherealityoftheheavenlyone…Ourcallingistolivethevaluesofthefutureheavenlycityinthemidstofthecitiesofthisearth.WeholdontothehopethatGoddoesinterveneincontemporaryhistory,leadingtowardsthereturnofChristandtheNewHeavenandEarth.WealsoexpectthatGodwillconfirmhisreignnow,sometimesthroughsignsandwonders,andassureusthatheismovinghistorytoitsfulfillmentandconsummation.”

VinaySamuel,“BiblicalReflectionsonMissionforthe3rdMillennium”inTransformation 2001 (Vol.18, No. 3, page 139)

Discuss thefollowingdiagram.Whatdoesitexpressaboutthesignificanceofourworkinthepresent,inlightofthebiblicalpromiseofthenewheavenandearth?8

Drawonitanyadditionsyouwouldmaketoconveymoreadequatelythenatureofourhope,especiallyasitrelatestobusinessandMED.

2. Bringing the Future into the Present–Personal Reflection: Review silently thefollowingthoughtsanddiagramsdescribinghowGodusesustobringevidencesofthefutureintothepresent.

8 SeealsoRev.5:6-14;7:15-17;Matt.�5:31-46;Matt.4:17;8:11;�Pet.3:13



Whenwealleviatesuffering,diminishpoverty,andgivepeoplereasonsforrejoicinginthepresent–weareprovidingtheworldwithaglimpseofthecomingfuture.Ratherthanfightingagainsttheoppressivetidalwaveofpovertyandcorruption,wearestandingonthesideoffutureinevitabilities–expressingGod’sovercomingofsin,sorrowandsuffer-ing.Infact,becauseofourhopeforthefuture,weareempoweredbytheSpiritofGodtoprovideevidencesofthatfutureinthemidstoftheproblemsofthepresent.

GodworksthroughMEDtoprovideevidencesofthekingdomandthecomingnewheavenandearthinfourways.WewitnesstothecomingkingdomofGodthrough:

1. ourlives expressingGod’sgrace,truthandlove(GreatCommandmentMatt.��:37-39)

�. ourdeedsofservice,justiceandmercy(GreatRequirementMicah6:8)

3. ourwordsofdialogue,testimonyandinvitation(GreatCommissionMatt.�8:18-�0)

4. andsignsofGod’smiraculousinterventionthroughtheSpirit(God’sinterventionJohn16,1Cor.4:�0-�1.

ThusMEDexpressesourChristiancommitmentsandourfuturehopebytheverydeedswedo–bytheloansweoffer;bythewaysourstaffrelatetoclientsandthecommunity–theircharacter,competenceandkindness;andbythewordsweusetogiveglorytoGodinallthings.

Reflect personallyonthequestion:HowisGodglorifiedthroughyourworkinMED?

Small Group Discussion:Ingroupsoffour,discusshowwouldyouexplaintoaloanrecipient:

• whyyoupersonallyhavehopeforthefuture?



• whythisleadsyoutobeinvolvedinMED?

• whytheclientcanhavehope?

ContinuetolistbiblicalprinciplesandimplicationsforMED–basedonourfuturehope.



People

Time

Resources

Money

Praytogetherforthepeopleyouserve,thatGodwouldinspireinthemhope–andanentre-preneurialvision.


Session10–PuttingItAllTogether 53

Session 10

Putting It All Together


ReviewthemajorthemesofthisstudyofbiblicalfoundationsforMED.


RevisepersonalshortstatementsonhowMEDcontributestothepurposesofGod.


Clarifypersonalimplicationsresultingfromthisstudy.

Largesheetofpapersandmarkingpens(onesetforeveryfivepeople)

Celebratewhathasbeenlearned.

Session Plan8 minutes: Readaloudtheintroductorysummary,anddivideintogroupsofeighttocreate“alphabet”lists.

7 minutes: Reviewyoursummarysheetson“BusinessasSacredStewardship”.Discusswhatyouobservefromthis,andwhatyoumightwanttoadd.

20 minutes: Inviteparticipantstoengageinpersonalreflectionusingthetwochartsprovided.

10 minutes:Concludingcelebration.

1. Introduction – Summary of What We’ve Studied: Read aloud thefollowingsummaryofthisstudy.

Throughoutthisoverviewofthebiblicalstory,wehaveencounteredaGodwhocaresdeeplyaboutthewell-beingofhiscreation.Godisnotconcernedsimplywiththewell-beingofourheartsandsouls,butwiththewell-beingofourwholelives,includingoureconomiclife.God:

• providesanabundantcreationasagiftofjoy,sustenanceandmeaningfulwork,

• liberatesslavesfromoppression,

• givescommandmentsfororderingajustsociety,

• comesintheIncarnateSontoembodyandmakepossibleabundantlifethroughthegiftofhislife,and

• sendstheHolySpirittoempowerthechurchtobeacommunitythatmodelstheeco-nomicwell-beingofthekingdomofGod.



GodisthedivineeconomistwhoinstitutedinIsrael,andnowthroughJesusandtheChurch,aneconomicorderthathonoursindividualcreativity,initiativeandproperty,whileensuringprovisionforthepoor.ThisGodistheonetowhomallthenationsoftheearthbelong;whoisowneroftheearthandallitsfruit;whosekingdomwillcome;andwhosewillshallbedone.

Divideintoteamsofeight,givingeachteamalargesheetofpaperandmarkingpens.Haveeachteam createatwo-columnchartbywritinglettersA-M(A,B,C…)downtheleftsideofthesheetandthelettersN-Zdownthemiddleofthesheet.Whenthefacilitatorcalls,“Start”,eachteamwillhavefiveminutestowritenexttoeachletterawordfromthisstudythatcorrespondstoit,relatinginsomewaytoMED.Forexample,fortheletterCyoucouldwrite“credit,creativity,creation”.BeespeciallycreativeforX,YandZ!Postyourchartsonthewallforafunreview.

Group Discussion: Review the“BusinessasSacredStewardship”summarysheetscompiledfromeachsession,focusingonthecolumn,“ImplicationsforMED”.Asanentiregroup,discuss theseideasandmakeanyadditions.Youmightwanttotake notes, addingothers’ideastoyourownlist.

2. Personal Reflection: Onyourown,reflectonwhatmadethemostsignificantimpressiononyoufromthisstudy.



People

Time

Resources

Money



Usingkeywordsorshortsentences,create asummarysheetontheformbelowsothatyoucanretaintheseideas.Ifyouwantsuggestions,seetheoverviewchartattheendofthissession(pp.57-58).List practicalwaysyoucanapplythislearningtoyourworkinMEDandmicrofinance.

Biblicalprinciples ImplicationsforMED Personalapplications

CreationandtheFall

••

Redemption:Exodus,LawandtheProphets

••

RedemptioninChrist

••

LifeintheSpiritasthenewCreation

••

Hopeforanewheavenandearth

••



Write aoneparagraphsummaryandpersonalmissionstatementregardingyourinvolvementinMED.

WaysIwantmyChristiancommitmentstodirectmyapproachtomicrofinance.(Refertowhatyouwroteearlieronpp.1�and45).

Summary and Celebration

Form acircleasagroup.Inviteparticipantstodescribe,inashortsentence,somethingvaluablelearnedfromthisstudy.

Pray together,askingforthecourageandgenerositytoliveoutGod’spassionforthepoorandforeconomicwell-beinginourworld.



Linking Biblical Convictions and Theological Implications with Current Programs in MED

Dimensions Practices Principles Biblical texts

Restoration of creation

Organicfarming,creationoforganicstandards

Increasedcultivationoflandandcropyield

Enhancednutrition

Treefarms,nurseries,reforestation

Recyclingbusinesses

Fairtradeexports

Accesstomarketsfororganicproduce

Producefoodinwaysthatneitherharmscreationnorpeople

Encouragebalancebetweenindividualinitiativeandcommunityneeds,regulationandempowerment

Loaneligibilitystandards:Don’tsupportbusinessesthatharmtheenvironmentordamagethewell-beingofpeopleandcommunities

Deut.15Sabbathregulations

Psalm�4:1“TheearthistheLord’sandthefullnessthereof.”

Transformation of people and relationships in Christ

Peoplevaluecreationandenvironment

Peopleacthonourably–demonstratingintegrityandreliability;fulfillingcommitmentsevenwhennottotheirimmediateeconomicadvantage

Peoplecareforoneanother

Emergenceofhopeanddignitywithpeopleassumingleadership

PeoplegivethankstoGod;churchesemergeand/orarestrengthened

PeoplevaluewhatGodvalues

PeoplerealisetheirGod-givenpotential

PeopledependonGodfortheireconomiclifeandnotonlyontheirownactivity

Well-beingdependsonrelianceonGod

Deut.8:17-18Rememberthatwealthdoesn’tcomeonlyfromtheworkofyourhandsbutthattheLordgaveyoutheabilitytoproduce

Deut.�4:14Donottakeadvantageofpoorandneedy;payfairwages

Ezek.18individuals,andnotjusttheirfathers,areresponsible

Matt.5:37Honouryourcommitments

�Cor.8:1-3Outofpovertygivegenerously

Col.3:�3DowhateveryoudofortheLord




Reconciliation and empowerment of communities

Communitybankscontributetocommunitycooperationandempowerment

Communitiestakeresponsibilityforpoor(orphans,elderly)

Changeinsocialvaluesaddressingchronicsocialproblemsthroughdialogue,advocacy(domesticviolence,alcohol)

Accesstomarketsandtradelinkagescontributetoreconciliationofdiversegroupsandcommunities

Througheconomicdevelopmentthereissustainablehealthcare,cleanwater,accesstoeducation

Seekandusemethodologiesthatstrengthenandsustainqualityofcommunitylife

Peopleareresponsiblefortheirowndevelopment

Peoplehavetherighttoentrepreneurialchangeandaccesstomarkets

Communitieshaveeconomicresourcesthatcouldbestewardedforenhancedwell-being

�Cor.8:1-3Churchgavemorethanitwasable

1Thess.4:11Workwithyourhands

Well-being and empowerment of children

Thewell-beingofchildren(nutrition,health,education)isenhancedthrougheconomicactivity,especiallyofwomen

Childrenhaveenhanceddignityandconfidencethrougheconomicopportunity

Businessactivitythatinterfereswithchildren’sschoolingisdiscouraged

TheexploitationofchildreniscontrarytothewillofGod

Preferentiallytargetthosepeopleandenterpriseswhichbenefitwomen

Deut.�4:19-�0Lawsofgleaningtoenablepoortoworkfortheirlivelihood

Ps.7�:4Godwilldefendtheafflicted,savethechildrenoftheneedyandcrushtheoppressor




Transformation of systems and structures

Commerciallendersandbusinessesseethepooraslegitimateinvestment“risks”andmarkets

Governmentandbusinessleadersareheldaccountabletoactresponsibly

Thepoorhaveaccesstomarkets

Addressneedforlandreform,inheritancerights

Educationandemploymenttrainingprogramsservethepoorestcommunities

Targetedentrepreneurialopportunitiesforthepoor

Democraticprinciplesareencouragedthatenableequalaccessandopportunity

Systemsandstructuresserveandbenefitthepoor,ratherthanexploitorignorethem

Preferentiallytargetsystemicandstructuralinjusticesandimpedimentstotheeconomicdevelopmentofthepoor(landownership,access,lenders,businesses,debtpractices)

Lev.19:15Donotpervertjusticebyshowingpartialitytothepoororfavouritismtotherich

Lev.19:35;Deut.�5:13-16Usehonestmeasurements

Lev.�5:8-55LawofJubilee:landreform,multi-generationaldebtandpoverty

Deut.15:1-6Canceldebtsofpoor

Deut.15:7-8Freelylendwhatpeopleneed

Deut.�4:1�-15Endbondedlabour

Deut.�5:1Settledisputesincourtwithjudgesenforcingjustice

Rom.13Governmentsexisttopunishwrongdoersandrewardgood



Additional Resources

Pieces of the Exodus Story

[Copythispage.Cutthesheetintostripsalongthedottedlinesandmixthepiecesup.]

ThepeopleofIsraelareslavesinEgypt.

ThepeopleofIsraelsufferpovertyandhumiliation.TheyareforcedintohardlabourbytheEgyptians.

ThepeoplecryouttoGodinanguish.Godhearsthem.

ThroughhisservantleaderMoses,GodconfrontsthePharaohwithdemandsofliberationforhispeople.

GoddemonstratesthathispowerisfargreaterthanthePharaoh,theEgyptianmagiciansandallthefalsegodstheyworship.

GodleadsthepeopleoutofEgyptandacrosstheRedSea.

ThepeopleofIsraelwanderinthewilderness.

ThepeoplecomplainthattheywishtheyhaddiedwiththeirstomachsfullinEgyptinsteadofhungryinthedesert.

Godhearsthecomplaintsofthepeople.Godpromisestoprovidemeatattwilightandtorainmanna(bread)fromheaveneachmorning.Anditisso!

Godcommandspeopletogatheronlyasmuchmannaastheyneedforthatday.(Onthesixthday,theyaretogathertwiceasmuch,sotheydonothavetogatherorcookontheSabbath.)

Somepeoplegathermorefoodthantheyneed–butthefoodspoils.

Ontheseventhday,somepeoplegoouttogatherfood,butthereisnone.Sothepeoplerestontheseventhday.

TheIsraeliteseatmannafor40years,untiltheycometoalandtheycanlivein.


AdditionalResources–AChristianPerspectiveonMicroenterpriseLoansandPaymentofLoanInterest 61


A Christian Perspective on Microenterprise Loans and the Payment of Loan Interest

Kershaw Burbank, Jr., Ph.D.Eastern College, Graduate Economic Development Program

[Note:Thisisanextractfromalongeressayreprintedbypermissionoftheauthor.]

W hatisstartlingaboutchurchesbeinginvolvedinloanfundsisthatfromtheLawintheOldTestament(OT)untilthe16thcenturyADandthewritingsofJohnCalvinand

otherReformers,itwasaxiomaticamongmostJudaeo-ChristiansthattheobedientpeopleofGoddidnotchargeanyinterestonloans.

The Definition of Interest. “Interest”isthemoneypaidtotheownerofthatmoneyfortheuseoftheirmoneyforaspecificperiodoftime.Assuch,interestisthe“rent”paidforusingsomeoneelse’smoney.

Old Testament Economies

Inagriculturalsocieties,land,buildings,livestockandlaborwereseenasthemajorproductivecapitalinvestmentsthatapersoncouldmake.“Rent”mightbepaidforanyofthese.Mostpeoplehadverylittlemoney;exchangeorbarterofgoodsweretheprincipalformofac-complishingeconomictransactions.TheOldTestamentissilentabout“markets”andmarketbehaviorinthemacrosenseasweknowtheminmoderneconomics.…DonaldHayinEconom-ics Todaycommentsonthissilenceandprovidesanexcellentrationale:

Theabsenceofanyfinancialmarkets(nomoney-lendersevidently)impliedthatafamily’sprosperitydependedentirelyonthesuccessorotherwiseofitsfarmingenterprise.Eachfamilyhadtodecidehowmuchefforttoputintothatenterprise.Thereturnsarereturnstothewholeenterpriseandaccruetothefamily;thereisnodivisionbetweenwagesandprofits.Intermsofmoderneconomicanalysis,thesystemapproximatedtothekindofsubsistencefarmingwhichcharacterizesmuchoftheruraleconomyinthethirdworld(1989:36-37).

TheOldTestamenteconomieswereprimarilyagrarianandpredominantlyruralwithtribalandclangroupslivingtogetherinextendedfamilyunits.“Inflation”asweknowittodayduringpeacetimewasnon-existent,exceptintimesofwar,droughtorfaminewhereincropandlive-



stocksupplieswouldbereducedand“prices”wouldriseveryrapidlycommandinglargesumsofgold,silver,orothervaluablecommodities.

TheHebrewwordfor“interest”wasneshekandtherootforthewordisnashaktranslated“tostrikewithasting(asaserpent).Tooppresswithinterestonaloan–bite,lenduponusury”(ibid).SuchapracticeiscommontodayinMuslimcountrieswhere“interest”isforbiddenbytheQu’ranbutnotthepaymentof“commission”(whichnotoddlymayhaveacorrelationtointernationalinterestrates).Similar“commissions”arechargedtodayinadvancebysomemicroenterpriseloanfundsandbybanksinmortgageagreementsas“points.”

a)Broad prohibitions against interest of any type to another Israelite.Thebroadest,clearestprohibi-tionagainstrequiringinterestfromanIsraeliteisfoundinDeuteronomy�3:19-�0:“Donotchargeyourbrotherinterest,whetheronmoneyorfoodoranythingelsethatmayearninter-est.Youmaychargeaforeignerinterest,butnotabrotherIsraelite,...”LoanswerenotunlawfulbutwereexpectedandevendemandedtothepoorasdiscussedinLeviticus�5especiallyverses36and37whichsetsuprulesforloansandenjoinslendingtothepoor.“Ifoneofyourcountrymenbecomespoorandisunabletosupporthimselfamongyou,helphimasyouwouldanalienoratemporaryresident,sohecancontinuetoliveamongyou.Donottakeinterestofanykindfromhim,butfearyourGod,whobroughtyououtofEgypttogiveyouthelandofCanaanandtobeyourGod.”(Lev.�5:36-37)

b) Prohibitions specifically aimed against oppressing or hurting the poor.ThefirstexampleofthistypeisfoundinExodus��:��-�7:“Donottakeadvantageofawidoworanorphan.Ifyoudoandtheycryouttome,Iwillcertainlyheartheircry.Myangerwillbearoused,andIwillkillyouwiththesword;yourwiveswillbecomewidowsandyourchildrenfatherless.Ifyoulendmoneytooneofmypeopleamongyouwhoisneedy,donotbelikeamoneylender;chargehimnointerest.Ifyoutakeyourneighbor’scloakasapledge,returnittohimbysunset,becausehiscloakistheonlycoveringhehasforhisbody.Whatwillhesleepin?Whenhecriesouttome,Iwillhear,forIamcompassionate.”

c) Exhortations and prophecies against certain groups who were oppressing the people through taking interest.ThesepassagesandothersmakeitclearthattheIsraelitesdidnotobeyGod’scommandsforbiddingcharginginterestandthattheyweretakentotaskbytheprophetsfortheiroppressionofthepoorespeciallyduringfamineandhardtimes.Nehemiah5givesusagoodexampleofwhatcouldhappeninatimeofconflictwhentheIsraeliteswereexperiencingfamine:

NowthemenandtheirwivesraisedagreatoutcryagainsttheirJewishbrothers.Someweresaying,“Weandoursonsanddaughtersarenumerous;inorderforustoeatandstayalive,wemustgetgrain.”Othersweresaying,“Wearemortgagingourfields,ourvineyardsandourhomestogetgrainduringthefamine.”Stillothersweresaying,“Wehavehadtoborrowmoneytopaytheking’staxonourfieldsandvineyards.Althoughwe



areofthesamefleshandbloodasourcountrymenandthoughoursonsareasgoodastheirs,yetwehavetosubjectoursonsanddaughterstoslavery.Someofourdaughtershavealreadybeenenslaved,butwearepowerless,becauseourfieldsandvineyardsbelongtoothers.”WhenIheardtheiroutcryandthesecharges,Iwasveryangry....Itoldthem,“Youareexactingusuryfromyourowncountrymen!...”

SoIcontinued,“Whatyouaredoingisnotright.Shouldn’tyouwalkinthefearofourGodtoavoidthereproachofourGentileenemies?Iandmybrothersandmymenarealsolendingthepeoplemoneyandgrain.Butlettheexactingofusurystop!Givebacktothemimmediatelytheirfields,vineyards,olivegroves,andhouses,andalsotheusuryyouarechargingthem–thehundredthpartofthemoney,grain,newwineandoil.”(5:1-1�)

Therearethreeimportantobservationshereforourdiscussion.First,theborrowerswerefeelingdesperate,oppressedandpowerless(1-5)asonemightexpectduringafamine.Secondly,theloansgivenresultedinthe“slavery”ofthepoor’schildrenalthoughitisnotclearwhetherthatslaverywasliteralorfigurative.Thirdly,theinterestratebeingchargedwas1%(seeverse1�)butthe“period”orlengthoftheloanwasnotstated…Irrespectiveoftheloanrateandperiod,thecircumstancesshowaclearemergencyconditionwhenopportunisticprofit-takingshouldbethelastpriorityofanycommunity.

d) The ideal is consistently shown as someone who does not take interest. InPsalms15:1-5,Davidwritesof“Hewhosewalkisblameless...”anddescribessuchapersoninpartas“...wholendshismoneywithoutusury....”Isaiah�4:�,Jeremiah15:10;andEzekiel18:8-17alsodescribetheidealasonewhodoesnottakeinterestforloans.

Insummarythen,theOldTestamentspeakstousofwhatGod’screationwasmeanttobeandHiswillforeveryonetohaveenough.ProsperityandnotpovertywereGod’swillforIsrael.Personalrelationshipsweremoreimportantthanprofit.WithinthecommunitylifeofIsraelatthistime,mostcommercialrelationshipswerepersonal.

New Testament Contexts

BythetimeofJesus,Israelhaddevelopedagrowingcommercialeconomyinvolvinginternationaltradewiththegentiles(alongsidethemorecommonagrarianmodel)andwasliterallythecrossroadsfortradebetweenAfrica,SouthernAsia,andEurope.Galileewasastrideoneoftheprimarycaravantraderoutes.Daniel-RoppsdescribestheeconomiclifeofIsraelinDaily Life in the Times of Jesus:

Alltheseimportantdealings[internationaltradebetweenIsraelandothernations]calledforcapital:thatistosay,itwasessentialthatthereshouldbemenwhocoulddisposeofandmanagelargesumsofmoney…Butexchangewasnottheintelligentbanker’sonlyactivity.Therewerethosewhospecializedinmakingmoneyoutofmoney,Christhimselfspeaksoftheseoperations.Whenthemasterblamesthetimidservantwhohadburied



thetalententrustedtohim,hereproacheshiminthesewords‘...allthemorewasitthyparttolodgemymoneywiththebankers,sothatImighthaverecovereditwithinterestwhenIcame.’(Matt.�5:�7)(1961:�51-�5�)

“Interest”asaneconomicconceptisdiscussedonlytwiceintheNewTestamentinthefamiliarparablesofthe“talents”inMatthew�5:14-30andintheparableofthe“minas”inLuke19:11-�7.Inbothparables,Jesusgivesexamplesofrichpeopleentrustinglargesumsofmoneytotheirslavesorstewardswhoareexpectedtomakeproductiveuseofthatmoney.Inbothparables,twoofthestewardsareproductivedoublingthecapitalentrustedtothemwhilethethirdstewardpreservesthemoneybutreturnsnogainforit.Inbothparables,theunproductivestewardisberatedbytherichpersonuponhisreturnandaskedwhyhedidnotatleastlendthemoneytothebankersinordertogain“inter-est”(Gk.“Tokos”–“theinterestonmoneythathasbeenloaned”[Louwetal.1988:58�]).SomemighttrytoinferthatJesusisdirectlyapprovingthepayingofinterestthroughtheseparablesbutthiswouldbeariskydirectinferencebecauseparablesareillustrativestoriesofgreatertruthsorprinciplesratherthandeclarationsofdoctrines.InthecaseoftheMattheanparable,commentators(Tasker,1979;Boring,1995)generallyagreethattheprincipleisthatthedisciplesofJesusneedtobeproductiveforthekingdomofGod.

WhiletheNewTestamentissilentdoctrinallyonthespecificissueof“interest,”itisnotsilentaboutlendingandgiving.InMatthew5:4�andLuke6:30,Jesuspositivelycommandshisfollow-ersto:“Givetoeveryonewhoasksyouandifanyonetakeswhatbelongstoyou,donotdemanditback.”ThisversesimplyextendstheDeuteronomicalteachingtolendtothoseinneed,butgoesevenfurthertosuggestthatthelendershouldnotevenexpectrepaymentletaloneinter-estofanykind.Luke6:35extendsthecommandevenfurthercallingonChrist’sfollowerstolendtotheirenemieswithoutexpectingtogetbackanything.

PaulfleshesoutthisteachingamongtheNewTestamentchurchesinwritingtothechurchinCorinthaboutacollectionforthechurchesinJerusalemthatwerehardpressedatthetimeandneededhelp:“Ourdesireisnotthatothersmightberelievedwhileyouarehardpressed,butthattheremightbeequality.Atthepresenttimeyourplentywillsupplywhattheyneed,sothatinturntheirplentywillsupplywhatyouneed.Thentherewillbeequality,asitiswritten:‘Hethatgatheredmuchdidnothavetoomuch,andhethatgatheredlittledidnothavetoolittle.’”(�Corinthians8:13-15)

WemayconcludefromthispassageandtheotherslikeitintheNewTestamentconcerningwealththatGodspeakingthroughPaulisnotagainstproductivityandwealthcreationbutisagainstthehoardingofwealthwhenothersinthechurchareinneedduetopersecutionorexternalconditionsandproblemsnotoftheirownmaking.(Elsewhere,Paulisquiteclearthatthosewhocausetheirownproblemsbynotworking,bylaziness,drunkenness,orlackofinitiativeshouldsufferfromtheirsins.)PaulenjoinstheCorinthiansofhisdaytobesurethat



theydonothave“toomuch”whileothersareinneed.Sharingofourbountyisimportantandagodlyvirtue.Wearenottogivetothoseinneedwithanassumptionthattheywillreturnourgift.Quitetothecontrary,wearetogiveexpectingnothinginreturnandcertainlynotinterest.

The Modern Situation

Someofthemoralargumentsinfavorofcharginginterestwhichdevelopedwithmoderneconomicthoughtandpracticetojustifythechargingofinterestamongthepoorincludesomealreadydiscussedbutsummarizedbelow:

1.Opportunity Cost. Asmentionedpreviously,aloandeprivesthelenderoftheuseofhiscapitalduringtheperiodoftheloan.Somecompensationfortheuseofthemoneyequaltothereturnsfromotherinvestmentsthatmightbemadewiththemoneyisjustifiable.A“just”compensationisnormallycalculatedbyusingtheaveragereturnsofsimilarinvestmentswithsimilarrisk.

�. Risk.Anyonelendingmoneyrunsarisk(evenifverysmall)thattheloanprinciplewillneverberepaidandthatthelenderwilllosehismoney.Somepaymentequaltothecostofinsuringtheloanwhetheractuallyinsuredornotisjustifiabletocompensatethelenderforthisrisk.

3. Maintaining Purchasing Power. Thereisanotherrisk,ofinflation,whichinmanycountriesisveryreal.Ininflationaryeconomieswheremoneyislosingitspurchasingpowerovertime,loanprinciplewillhavereducedpurchasingpowerwhenrepaidcomparedtoitsinitialvalue.Interestequaltotherealinflationaryrateisnotonlyjustifiablebut“fair”giventhelossthatalenderwouldotherwisesustaininaninflationaryeconomy.

3. Interest on Productive Capital(ShareofProfits).Withtheeconomists’andchurch’sacceptanceoftheconceptthatcapitalcouldalsobeadirectproductiveinput(aslandorlabor)duetoitsfungiblenature,therenaturallyarosetheassumptionthatthesupplierofcapitalshouldalsopartakeoftheprofitseveniftherewasnodirectownershipintheproductiveprocessbutsimplythelendingofcapital.Theargumentwasadvancedthatasthelenderofapieceoflandmightexpectashareoftheprofitsfromatenantfarmersoacapitalistmightexpectashareoftheprofitsfortheuseoftheirmoneyforaseason.Thissharewascalled“interest.”

4.Abstinence.Ryanaddressesthe“claimofabstinence”tojustifythepayingofinterest:

“Thisargumentisbaseduponthecontentionthatthepersonwhosaveshismoneyandinvestsitintheinstrumentsofproductionundergoesasacrificeindeferringtothefuturesatisfactionsthathemightenjoytoday....Thissacrificeofpresenttofutureenjoymentwhichcontributesaservicetothecommunityintheformofcapital,createsajustclaimuponthecommunitytocompensationintheformofinterest.Ifthecapitalistisnotrewardedforthisinconvenienceheis,liketheunpaidlaborer,subordinatedtotheaggrandizementofhisfellows.”(1996:51)

5. Recovery of Reasonable Organizational Costs of Lending.Ifanorganization’spurposeistocon-



tinuetoservethepoor,itisreasonableforthepoortoassumeallorpartofthecostsofthatorganizationovertimeinordertoperpetuatehelptothepoorinacommunity.Experiencehastaughthowfickledonorsare,andthatpoorcommunitiescannotexpectexternalaidforever.Whiledonorsoftenarewillingtogivemoneyforthestart-upofalocaldevelopmentorganiza-tion,theyexpectthatorganizationtobegintodeveloplocalresourcesovertime.Likewise,manydevelopmentpractitionersbelievethatlocalfundingisproofpositivethatanorganizationisdoinggoodandneededwork.

Conclusions: The Poor and Microenterprise Loans

TheScriptureshavemadeclearreferencestonotcharginginteresttothoseinimmediateneed,andweshoulddifferentiateasfaraspossiblebetweenthosewhoare“atimmediaterisk”andneedmoneyforrelieforrehabilitationandthosewhoarenotatriskbutneedadditionalworkingcapitaltoincreaseincomeandtogrowtheirbusinesses…Today,asinthepast,creditisoftennotavailabletothepoorexceptatexorbitantlyhighinterestrates.Thepoorstilloftenacceptthehighinterestratesofferedbyinformalmoneylendersbecausetheycanstillmakeaprofitwiththesmallamountofcreditextendedortheymayhavenootheroptionwhenemergenciesarise.Withoutcredit,thepoorareeconomicallyevenmoredisadvantagedbecausetheirbusinessenterprisesarelimitedintheircapacitytogrow.…

So what do we conclude?

1.WeconcludethatGoddoesNOThateinterestinandofitself(orhewouldnothaveallowedtheIsraelitestochargeinteresttoforeigners)…God’sclearmessageintheScripturesisthatHedoesnotwantHispeopletobeoppressingotherseconomicallyorinanyotherway.Themajorconsiderationformeiswhetherloanrecipientsperceivethemselvesasbeingoppressedorliberatedbycredit.Thereisalargepopulationof“entrepreneurial”and“self-employed”poorwhoasbusinesspeopleeverywherewantcreditforworkingcapitaltoexpandandstabilizetheirbusinesses…Wherealoanwithinterestisseenaspositivelybeneficialbytherecipientandnon-threatening,IbelievethatGodatleastallowsinterestifnotpositivelycondonesit.

�.Economiesandcultureshavesochangedoverthecenturiesthattheeconomicand/orculturalbasesformuchoftheScripturalinjunctionsagainstinteresthavealsochanged.WewouldbesimplistictooverlookthedifferencesbetweenthepersonalrelationshipsoflenderandborrowerintheOTandthecorporaterelationshipsthatexistbetweenlenderandmanyborrowerstoday…Nevertheless,whilesomeoftheconditionshavechanged,humanbehavior,sin,greed,andpowerlusthavenot.WecannotsimplydisregardtheBiblicalinjunctionsagainstinterestasbeingrelicsofanagegonebybutmustlookbeyondtheletteroftheLawtotheintentionoftheSpirit.

3.Theopportunitytobuildself-sustainingloanprogramsthroughcharginginteresthasbroughtfreedomandeconomicadvancementtothousandsofpooraroundtheworldwhonowhavea



hopeandameasureoffinancialsecuritypreviouslyunknown.WecannotdisregardtheimpactofsuchprogramswhendecidingwhetherornotGodispleasedwiththemornot.

Inthispaper,wehavepresentedthecasesforandagainstcharginginterestonloanstothepoorandfoundthatinterestchargescoveringreasonablecosts,andrisksincludinginflationanddevaluationareacceptableChristianpracticewiththepoorwhoalreadyhavebusinessesandareintendingtousetheloansforproductivebusinesspurposes.However,wherethepoorareindirestraitsneedingimmediatereliefandrehabilitation,weargueforChristiancharityandlovethroughoutrightgiftsorloanswithnointerest.

ReferencesChristenR.P.,What Microenterprise Programs Can Learn From Money Lenders.Washington,D.C.:

ACCION,1986.

Daniel-Ropps,H.,trans.ByP.O’Brien,Daily Life in the Time of Jesus.AnnArbor:ServantBooks,1961.

Hay,D.Economics Today: A Christian Critique.GrandRapids:WilliamB.Eerdmans,1989.

Higginson,R.Called To Account.Guildford-Surrey,U.K.:Eagle,1993.

Novak,D.“EconomicsandJustice:AJewishExample”inBerger,P.Ed.The Capitalist Spirit,SanFrancisco:InstituteforContemporaryStudies,1990.

Remenyi,J.Where Credit Is Due: Income Generating Programmes for the Poor in Developing Countries,London:ITPublications,1991.

Ryan,J.A.,ed.ByH.R.Beckley,Economic Justice: Selections from Distributive Justice and A Living Wage,LouisvilleKY:WestminsterJohnKnoxPress,1996.




Scenario: Loan Repayment and the Sabbath Year

Kershaw Burbank, Jr., Ph.D.Eastern College, Graduate Economic Development Program

YouareaChristianWorldVisionmicrofinanceloanofficerinanationthatispredominantlyChristian.Yourjobistocollectloanrepaymentsandtotraingroupsinmicroenterprise

development.Theyearis�009andyouareattendingthelastmeetingofamicrofinancegroupfortheyear.Manyofthepeopleinyourgroupof50arekeenChristiansandhaveenjoyedyourteachingaboutbiblicalprinciplesofeconomics.ManyhavetakenoutnewloanstoexpandtheirbusinessesjustbeforethebusyChristmasseason.Asthemeetingbegins,thereisanunusualexcitementandanticipationinthegroup.Theykeeplookingatyouinastrangewayasthoughtheyareexpectingsomethingspecialfromyou.Youwonderwhattheyexpect.

Finally,themeetinggetsunderwaywithachorusofferventChristiansingingandthentheChair-manoftheGroupstartstopray:“OLordJesus,wepraiseyouandthankyouforbringingustotheendofthisspecialyear.Weappreciatesomuch,Lord,themarvelousministryofWorldVisionanditsMicrofinanceInstitution.ThankyouLordfortheirwonderfulobediencetoyouandyourword.WethankyouLordforWorldVision’scareforthepoorandfortheirwonderfulhelpingivingusloansforourbusinesses.WethankyouLordforyourwordandyourcom-mandsinDeuteronomythatattheendofeveryseventhyearyourpeoplemustforgivetheloansofeverybodywhoowesthemmoney.ThankyouLordJesusforthisyourSabbaticalyear,aseventhyearwhenallgoodChristiansinobediencetoyourWord,forgivethedebtsthatareowedtothem.WethankyoutooLordJesusforyourcommandthatweshouldlendtoanyonewhoaskswithoutexpectingrepayment.AndsoLordwethankyouforthisyearwhenyourtwocommandsaregoingtobeobeyedbyyourWorldVision.

LordJesus,weespeciallythankyoufortheloanofficerfromWorldVisionandthewayshehashelpedusinthepast.WethankyouforsheiswithustodayandwillbringusthegoodnewsofhowWorldVisionisgoingtoforgiveourloansattheendofthisSabbaticalYear.NowblessherLordasshespeakstousandbringsusnewsoftheforgivenessofourloans.Amen!”

Ashesits,youdothecalculationquicklyandrealizethat�009isdivisibleby7andthereforeisaSabbathYear.YoumustsaysomethingthatsupportstheirkeenbeliefintheBibleandWorldVision’sChristiancommitments.ButyouknowthatWorldVisionhasnotplannedtoforgivetheirloansandcannotaffordtoforgivethemwithoutbringingthemicrofinanceinstitution


AdditionalResources–Scenario:LoanRepaymentandtheSabbathYear 69

toahalt.YoualsoknowyouwillbeindeeptroublewiththeMicrofinanceDirectorifyoudon’thandlethisissuecorrectlyandsensitively.Youwanttokeepthiswell-performinggroupfunctioningwell.Whatcanyousaythatwillbeencouraging,morallyright,ethicallycorrectandstillbeobedienttoScripture?

1. Ingroupsoffour,constructaspeechoffiveminutesorlessthatwillhandlethisissue.Youhave�0minutestodevelopatheologicallyandculturallyacceptabledefenseofWorldVision’spositionfornotforgivingtheloansandexplainwhyWorldVisionisnotobservingtheSabbathYear.

�. Writethemajorpointsofthisspeechonanindexcardforreferencebythepersonyouselecttobeyourspeakerbeforetheentiregroup.

3. Aftereachrepresentativehaspresented,theentiregroupwillvoteforthebestspeakerandexplanationofWorldVision’sresponse.



Notes


DoingBusinessintheKingdomofGod 71

Notes



Notes


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