The Church and our economy

Apostle Steve Lyston, Contributor

Each time we mention the word 'church', particularly in connection with nation building and national economy, some will quickly declare separation of Church and State.

Some see the Church as a building where people gather to carry out long-standing rituals. Some do not deem the Church as relevant or important until there is a crisis and prayer is needed, or they need to bury the dead. Others use the Church as a platform for the expression of a political agenda. Generally, there are those who believe that those who take their Christian walk seriously are either naive, stupid or fanatical.

While the Church is registered by the law of the land as a not-for-profit organisation, it has been the number-one contributor to the national economy and to the poor.

First, the Church has, for as long as the nation is old, been operating numerous schools and has been a prime contributor to the education sector - from primary and preparatory schools to high schools and universities. Through this sector alone, thousands of jobs are created and many families and communities benefit.

Second, the Church owns and operates several hospitals and is also an operator of several media houses, involved in humanitarian ventures, efforts and long-term activities. The Church, as an organisation and along with its members, has shares and accounts in credit unions and banks. In fact, the Church owns and operates a credit union.

In other words, the Church is not a building; it is an organisation of human beings called for a purpose. The Church has the greatest purchasing power and influence in a nation. This is why there is such a drive to create or declare division within or upon the Church so that the people do not realise the power that the Church has to bring change within a nation, any nation.

The Church pays out millions of dollars monthly to light, water, communications, media, distribution, housing, vehicle companies and other agencies; not to mention the tolls and taxes paid. Keep in mind that the Church cannot go to these institutions when the bill is due and tell them, 'Jesus loves you' as payment for the bills.

The Principles Of Jesus

There is a difference with the principles of Jesus and the person of Jesus. In Luke 2: 49, Jesus said He was about doing His Father's business. So the Church is a business. Hence, the Church has to change its strategies in business and negotiations, and flex its muscles in the nation as a shareholder of the nation - just as other business organisations do in the various sectors.

The key to economics is the careful use of money and/or resources and the avoidance of waste, and to strike the delicate balance of consuming, distributing and managing!

Jesus showed us in Matthew 14: 17 how to do so as He did with the five loaves and two fishes. We see the principle at work here. We further see this principle in Matthew 6: 33. We cannot manage a nation's economy unless we look up to who made heaven and earth (Psalm 121). Even Jesus looked up!

In II Chronicles 31, the king realised that in order to achieve economic prosperity, the Church has to prosper first. He implemented laws to help the Church, not to hinder it. In addition to this, there are serious misinterpretations and misunderstandings of the Scriptures regarding Christians and politics. There are those who believe that Christians should not enter or be a part of politics and political decision-making.

There are many people who have not yet entered politics but who need to. They would make significant and lasting changes for the betterment of the people and the nation.

For all who are lobbying to separate Church and State, answer these question. If you separate both:

• What would happen to the economy?
• What would happen to the State?
• And, where would you put the people you separate?

Apostle Steve Lyston is a biblical economics consultant and author of several books, including End Time Finance and The New Millionaire.