This school year I was asked to teach high school Economics. Broadly defined, Economics is the social science that deals with how society allocates resources among its unlimited wants and needs.
Another way of stating it would be to say that Economics is the study of how people try to satisfy what appears to be seemingly unlimited and competing wants through the careful use of relatively scarce resources.
A few weeks prior to teaching this course, I read and taught 8 lessons using the paradigm-shaking book Crazy Love. This book is a loving "wake-up" call to the Church to break out of a system built around personal comfort and safety.
I feel quite a tension between modern economics and Jesus' life and teachings. We live in a world where economic success is measured by the number resources extracted from the environment and turned into non-durable (temporary) goods that are bought, used, and then thrown away into a landfill." The better this cycle works, the more "successful" a countries' economy.
To be a good consumer in this cycle we must believe the delusion that we constantly need more and more stuff. Jesus would not be a good consumer in today's marketplace.
Here is Jesus' take on consumerism and stuff: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21 Then he goes on to say, "For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them (food, clothing). But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
I've been sprinting with the pagans and today I collided into the piercing words of Christ. Ouch! Doesn't feel too good.
Kingdom of Comfort by Delirious
Save me save me
From the kingdom of comfort where I am king
From my unhealthy lust of material things
I built myself a happy home In my palace on my own
My castle falling in the sand
Pull me out, please grab my hand I just forgot where I came from
Save me save me
From the kingdom of comfort where I am king
From my unhealthy lust of material things I rob myself of innocence
With the poison of indifference I buy my stuff at any cost
A couple of clicks and I pay the price
Coz what I gain is someone else's loss
Save me save me
From the kingdom of comfort where I am king
From my unhealthy lust of material things
Save me save me
From the kingdom of comfort where I am king
To this kingdom of heaven where you are king
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