Biblical Principles of Economy
Taxes!!!
Taxes!!! Nothing gets Americans more worked up than the topic of taxes. Who can impose what taxes on whom and what happens with the money? This topics has always been the bone of contention since the Pharisees asked Jesus whether one should pay taxes to the emperor or not. Rev. Olaf Baumann, sermon, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Port Angeles WA. Please check out our video ministry 1517 Grace Guerrilla https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv2aB-i9zHPqgh3NjUJ5-lg
Where is your North?
Where is your North? Every Sunday, we examine Scripture through the lens of Jesus Christ, who is the true North for us. In listening to and discerning scripture, we recharge our moral compass, so that we can always find North among all the competing voices which try to distract us from our true purpose and our true calling. Many voices vie for our attention: “Success!” “Security!” “Money!” “Fun!” “Power!” All of them claim: “I am North. Follow me!” But no, your…
Following Christ Means Compassion
Following Christ Means Compassion Culture and ideology are powerful forces. Humans tend to harmonize their reading of scripture and their understanding of religion with their culture and religion, even if that means severe intellectual contortion. The only way to follow Christ’s call to love is to base all of our actions on compassion with those who will be affected by the things we do and believe. In the face of the other we will recognize Christ. Jesus calls us to…
Working Together
Working Together All to often do we hear stories of economic life which are based on unlimited greed and hostile take-overs and laissez-faire capitalism and wars of competition and powerful monopolies, limiting your and my ability to make a living, and concentrating all economic power in the hands of very few. – But this is not how God intends people to live and work together. The word economy comes from ‘oikonomia’, Greek for management of the household. A well managed…
Jesus Is A Day Labourer
Jesus Is A Day Labourer The gospel text tell us the story of the land owner who hires people throughout the day and when the work day is done he pays them all the same wage. This leads to complains from this who worked that whole day. Jesus is not a carpenter as we understand that to be a skilled craftsman who is a member of the middle class. People who sell their labor in ancient Israel are peasants who…
Breaking the Curse
Breaking the Curse The ancient story of Cain and Abel shows how God breaks the curse of blood revenge. God protects Cain from revenge killings and holds him accountable for the murder of his brother Abel in a different way. Jesus proclaims the church to be a place of radical forgiveness, not radical revenge. In a story about the forgiveness of financial debt, Jesus connects forgiveness of sins and forgiveness of debt. He shows that mercy and forgiveness need to…