What Does The Bible Say About Economic Justice?

A third end of the economic system is that it must take care of those who cannot take care of themselves. It must provide a safety net for the poor. Both private charity and government assistance assume productive wealth creation. In addition, an economic system must provide opportunities for the poor to help themselves out of poverty and to uphold their dignity at the same time. They are to be participants in the system and not simply recipients of charity.

Here is a summary of the biblical principles governing economic life:

1.The material world is intrinsically good because it’s God’s good creation, though marred by sin.

2.God owns the world’s economic resources and humans are trustees of those resources; they are responsible for their careful and productive use.

3.Responsible wealth creation is integrally connected with the dominion mandate and with humans being made in the image of God.

4.Work/economic activity is fundamentally good and ordained by God.

5.Humans capable of working are responsible for supporting themselves and their dependents.

6.The community is responsible for helping to support those unable to work.

7.Humans are not to exploit the economically vulnerable, but to help them support themselves.