Bible Based Economics

This week, The Raleigh News and Observer reports on an alternate economic model being promoted by a variety of religious congregations across the country. One of the Better South issues is Rethinking faith and the South. The movement, often called “Sabbath Economics,” focuses on biblical teachings that encourage giving to the poor as an alternative to self-serving aspects of capitalism. Practitioners of the model have begun to invest their money in financial programs and organizations that will aid the poor.

"Churches have ignored the central role that the economy plays in the Bible," said Ched Myers, a California activist who is one of the leaders in the Sabbath Economics initiative. "In Scriptures, the world has material abundance. The only requirement is that we constrain ourselves so it's fairly distributed."

The idea of “Sabbath Economics” has proved popular among many denominations and groups in North Carolina.

"Churches have ignored the central role that the economy plays in the Bible," said Ched Myers, a California activist who is one of the leaders in the Sabbath Economics initiative. "In Scriptures, the world has material abundance. The only requirement is that we constrain ourselves so it's fairly distributed."

"When we put our money where our mouth is, we're having a big impact in bringing about the reign of God here on Earth," said the Rev. Heather McCain, the team leader on this issue and a vicar at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit in Greensboro

Whether the economic model is ultimately viable and effective, it is encouraging to see new ideas and renewed social consciousness in the national and southern religious community.

"When we put our money where our mouth is, we're having a big impact in bringing about the reign of God here on Earth," said the Rev. Heather McCain, the team leader on this issue and a vicar at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit in Greensboro. "If we get out of our greedy accumulative culture and get back to the important things -- human beings -- the vision of enough for everyone is really beautiful and right."