| Biblical Christianity: Economics |
| Stewardship of Property |
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Jesus Christ is "Owner." Genesis 1:28; Psalm 24:1; Psalm 50:10-12; 1 Corinthians 10:26 Christians begin their economic theory with an assumption about human nature. The Bible declares that man is sinful. Another Biblical precept – the concept of justice – also plays an important role for the Christian. The most desirable economic system promotes justice by protecting the rights of individuals from infringement by others. If all men were inherently good, one might not have to worry about individuals denying the rights of others; but man is not inherently good. Therefore, the Christian believes the best economic system would contain basic checks and balances that can guarantee the protection of human rights. Applying this criterion, the Christian believes the free enterprise system to be more compatible with his worldview than other economic systems. Economic systems that check injustice and grant men responsibility – in terms both of private property and economic decisions – can allow men the freedom to act with all the dignity of beings created in God's image. This, according to the Christian view, is the important end of economic theory: offering men not riches or luxury, but the freedom to seek fulfillment through understanding their role in God's universe.
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