CHRISTIAN VALUES AND ECONOMIC POLICIES

All economic policy decisions have a significant moral dimension that should be considered by legislators and voters alike. It is wrong to assume that ‘moral issues’ only includes things such as family life, sexual values or the appropriateness of abortion. Economic decisions, taxation policies, budget priorities and the use of money and material resources are all deeply moral mattersof great concern to Christians.

Christians believe that material goods are gifts from God, which can benefit social life and personal health and welfare. However, Christians do not believe that greater wealth or economic prosperity is itself the primary focus of life. A society is not necessarily spiritually, morally or socially better if it is richer. Indeed, wealth and prosperity can become one of the greatest sources of injustice, greed, self-indulgence and disputes.

It is fundamental for Christians considering the merits of various economic policies to ensure that they do not do so purely from a self-interested perspective. While, from a democratic point of view, each person’s vote is their own it is a mistake for Christians to assume that it is appropriate to consider only one’s own economic interests when casting that vote.Christians should resist the impulse of the well-known ‘hip-pocket nerve’ at election time and should use their vote as they should use other God-given resources – considering the benefit of others ahead of themselves.

Christians will not only consider whether particular economic approaches and policies enhance the economic position of society as a whole but will also consider the justice of the distribution of wealth and resources.

• In Australian society there is no doubt that recent years have seen real increases in economic standards for most people.
• Equally, there is also no doubt that the distribution gap between the wealthiest and the poorest has increased.

It is appropriate for Christians to take both these factors into account when considering economic policy and although there may different views on how to achieve this goal, the Christian gospel calls for preferential treatment for the socially and economically poor and disadvantaged.

• In your experience, have economic issues always been seen as moral matters?
• Do you agree that ‘A society is not necessarily spiritually, morally or socially better if it is richer’ and what are the implications of agreeing or disagreeing?
• What financial principles do you find in 2 Corinthians 8:1-15?
• Should Christians consider in any way the benefit they might get for themselves from various economic policies when they vote?
• Discuss the implications of figures in ‘the distribution gap’ table.