Monday: Interim Ethic or Spiritual Basis?
WEEK 18
MONDAY
INTERIM ETHIC OR SPIRITUAL BASIS?
James 5:1-5
Yesterday we saw that the early Christians fastened on need as the basis of distribution. They must have done it through divine inspiration. This inspired insight has lain dormant for centuries. But the pressure of a false method of distribution according to need, as seen in Communism, has forced us to rethink our position. To our glad surprise we find that we have, as an inherent part of our gospel, the fact and method of distribution according to need. The method is through insight into the law written into our personal and social lives and the Christian impulse of love.
God had distributed spiritual gifts according to each one’s needs; why not material gifts on the same basis? Life was one. So this distribution was not out of an interim ethic; it was out of an inspired ethic. They were working out the will of God in material relations.
An underlying question comes to the surface: If distribution is according to need, will not people sit down and do nothing since their needs are met? What will keep people from becoming dependent and without initiative? The Christians provided for that possibility by announcing another principle: “If anyone doesn’t want to work, they shouldn’t eat” (2 Thess 3:10). If a person will not work according to his or her ability, then he or she should not get according to need. That appeals directly to our hearts and consciences as sane and wise and basically sound. How did Paul arrive at that conclusion? I am persuaded that it came directly through the inspiration of God.
Two principles, then, emerge out of New Testament Christianity: to each according to need and from each according to ability. Someone objects and says that is socialism, but you can’t scare me with a word. Long before socialism or Communism was ever thought of the Christians arrived at these two conclusions. God led them to them. Shall we now throw them overboard out of fear, because socialism and Communism have adopted them? Not if we are wise and Christian.
O God, our Lord, we thank you for stirring our minds and consciences to think your thoughts in regard to material relations. Help us to follow. Amen.
AFFIRMATION FOR THE DAY: Economic relations will work in God’s way and only in God’s way.