Spend, Cut or Change Our Thinking?

Britain's new government is making radical efforts to rein in government debt. Will other nations follow? What got us into this mess? What will it take to eventually solve our economic problems?

The U.S. government is pumping a lot of borrowed money into the U.S. economy with the hope that it can be kick-started before it cools off. In the United Kingdom, on the other hand, the new coalition government under DavidKing of Israel, killed the giant Goliath with a sling and stones, a man after God's own heart, only turned from God in the matter of Uriah the Hittite (1 Kings 15:5), had an affair with Bathsheba, Messiah would come from line of David, main author of Psalms and highly musical. Cameron has decided to take the "bull by the horns." The Economist reports that the budget cuts and work towards decentralization are "a great gamble."

"Throughout the rich world, government has simply got too big and Mr Cameron's crew currently have the most promising approach to trimming it" ("Radical Britain," The Economist, Aug. 14-20, 2010, p. 9).

Expecting our grandchildren to pay?

The article contrasts the American and British approaches to the debt crisis, explaining that "despite the Tea Partiers' zeal, the Republicans seem as clueless as Mr Obama in producing a credible medium-term plan to balance America's budget." And here is the critical part: "But pretty soon, as in Europe, somebody will have to come up with one―and Britain, for better or worse, is likely to be the place they will come to for ideas."

There is no doubt the world is still in an unstable economic state. We should not dismiss current attempts made by sincere leaders to keep the global economy afloat. But past overspending, easy credit and now spending ourselves out of a stalling economy means that we expect our grandchildren to pay for our excesses. That is not ethical.

We have to realize that the thinking that led us to this precipice has to change.

Prime Minister Cameron's actions to reduce the involvement of the state, to put more responsibility into the hands of the local community, will help to cut budget deficits. It remains to be seen whether the right values will be sufficiently practiced at the community level to make it work.

Imagine applying ancient Israel's laws today

Real change would come from understanding our need for God's revealed way of life. If the civil laws of the nation of ancient Israel were enforced as the laws of our lands today—and many U.S. and British laws do hearken back to those statutes and judgments—our society would be remarkably different.

The economic laws, for example, ensured that high interest rates were illegal within the country (usury). Family land was to be returned to its original owners every 50 years (the Jubilee year), which would create a different frame of mind in the sale of land.

A flat 10 percent (tithe) of productive increase was collected to make education possible by providing the needs of the teachers (Levites).

Many financial principles in the book of Proverbs and other sections of the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. teach careful and sensible stewardship. God promises: "Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth" (Deuteronomy 28:1And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:
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But our people and our leaders have turned away from the laws of God. We have permitted activities that are "politically correct," but are sinful in God's eyes. Please download or request our booklet The Ten Commandments .

Prophetic end-time economy

We may continue to try our own way of fixing problems, economic and otherwise, but the time will come when we run out of workable ideas. The BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. speaks of a time when, for the sake of stability, nations within Europe will surrender their sovereignty to a powerful leader. Personal liberty will depend on submission to laws that the prophesied end-time leader will enforce—including restrictions that will exclude those who obey the laws of the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. (RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 13:16-17 [16] And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
[17] And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

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This prophesied vibrant economy may sound like a positive development to many. The loss of liberty will be the price that our people will pay for the world's new order. This is explained in our booklet The Book of RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). Unveiled , which shows a sequence of global events that will soon develop, and are even now shaping up behind the scenes.

Our responsibility is to provide the news of a different kind of government. The message Jesus Christ brought from His Father to mankind tells of a society motivated by a realignment of values. We will be preparing for our children and grandchildren's future rather than spending it.

Moses described the benefits of living God's way: "Surely I have taught you statutes and judgments, just as the Lord my God commanded me, that you should act according to them in the land which you go to possess. Therefore be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes, and say, 'Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people'" (Deuteronomy 4:5-6 [5] Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it.
[6] Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.

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Find out more about the message Jesus brought about a new society. It is based on the eternal laws of God, flowing from God's desire to share eternity with us. Read this hope-filled good newsThe good news of God's everlasting kingdom to be established on earth after Christ's return and how we may be a part of that kingdom. This message was central to the teaching of Jesus Christ and the apostles. The term is used about 100 times in the New Testament . in The GospelThe good news of God's everlasting kingdom to be established on earth after Christ's return and how we may be a part of that kingdom. This message was central to the teaching of Jesus Christ and the apostles. The term is used about 100 times in the New Testament . of the Kingdom .