What is God's Economy?

[aron]

If you look at the RecV, the word used in Acts 12:26 and 6:1,2 is translated 'dispensing', and the footnote says it's the same as in the gospel passage where angels 'ministered' to Jesus (Mark 1:13; Matt 4:11). Evidently it means 'to care for' in some overt way. Oftentimes we use the word 'care' as in emotional attachment, but this is a series of actions flowing out from an emotional connection. It might also be translated, 'tend to' or 'look after'.

So Saul and Barnabas were 'dispensing'... contrast to how the word is used in the LC. There I was trained in what they called 'PSRP' - pray-reading, studying, reciting and prophesying. They would take "words of ministry", i.e. Witness Lee's writings, and speak them to one another, repeatedly. "Amen, processed! Praise the Lord, processed! Hallelujah processed!" That, in the LC, was the 'dispensing', and it was supposed to effect an inward metabolic transformation ("Amen, metabolic! Hallelujah, metabolic!") from humanity to divinity. Quite different from the dispensing done by Saul and Barnabas in Acts 12.

Now, look at Jesus' words.

Matthew 25:31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

When Jesus said he "needed food" or "needed clothes" he's probably referencing the same situation Saul and Barnabas were addressing in Acts 12. And I doubt it's coincidental.

So I'm looking at two quite distinct ways of 'dispensing': one is gathering in 'meeting halls' and shouting at glassy-eyed acolytes of a certain Bible expositor who ran his own publishing firm and was called the Deputy God and Today's Moses; the other is what is suggested by the patterns of actions in the NT that line up with Jesus' teachings, and example.

Jesus talks of "the least of these" as the focus of the divine economy, but Paul Hon in Anaheim pulled up a strapping young American college student who looked like LA Dodgers pitcher Orel Hershiser, and said, "this is what we want". There were many people there with me, who can attest to my memory. Paul Hon was speaking for his bosses: they wanted Caucasian Americans with earning potential. That was their focus.

[Cal]

Originally Posted by aron

Jesus talks of "the least of these" as the focus of the divine economy, but Paul Hon in Anaheim pulled up a strapping young American college student who looked like LA Dodgers pitcher Orel Hershiser, and said, "this is what we want". There were many people there with me, who can attest to my memory. Paul Hon was speaking for his bosses: they wanted Caucasian Americans with earning potential. That was their focus.

Then Jesus said to the man who had invited Him, “When you host a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or brothers or relatives or rich neighbors. Otherwise, they may invite you in return, and you will be repaid. But when you host a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind, and you will be blessed. Since they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” Luke 14:12-14

"The servant returned and reported all this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the city, and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.’ " Luke 14:21

Brothers, consider the time of your calling: Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were powerful; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly and despised things of the world, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast in His presence. 1 Cor 1:26-29

[aron]

Originally Posted by Igzy

But when you host a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind, and you will be blessed. Since they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” Luke 14:13-14

"The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the gospel preached to them" ~Matt 11:5 This is God's economy, and it requires faith. If you had a restaurant, would you invite in people who had no means to repay you? Look at the banquet Jesus hosted and look at who came. When John the Baptist asked Jesus to give an account of his ministry, this (Matt 11:5) is what Jesus said to characterise himself... this was outreach, God's "high arm" outstretched, to those who could not repay. This was love.

Now by my own definition, my post doesn't constitute outreach, or ministration, or dispensing. But it serves two purposes: it helps me to get free from ones who'd hold us in mental slavery, and it suggests a course of profitable activity. Good enough.

[aron]

Originally Posted by aron

If you look at the RecV, the word used in Acts 12:26 and 6:1,2 is translated 'dispensing', and the footnote says it's the same as in the gospel passage where angels 'ministered' to Jesus (Mark 1:13; Matt 4:11). Evidently it means 'to care for' in some overt way. Oftentimes we use the word 'care' as in emotional attachment, but this is a series of actions flowing out from an emotional connection. It might also be translated, 'tend to' or 'look after'.

I read an affirmation of the idea of "look after" via material care, in the epistle "Didache". This epistle is an early witness to the gospels, quoting them extensively and providing commentary.

One comment it gives is on alms-giving. It says that one should be careful to whom one gives gifts. In an analogy of "do not cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them, and turn and rend you", the Didache says, "When you have alms to give, let them sweat in your palms before you know to whom to give them". In other words, find out who in "God's economy" these are intended for.

Now, in the early days, one merely used the Twelve as a clearing-house. "And they took their possessions, and sold them, and laid them at the feet of the disciples". ~Acts 4:35 Pretty simple. And with Paul, there is continuation: "And they (the apostles in Jerusalem) urged us to continue to remember the poor, which very thing we were eager to do." ~Gal 2:10

Paul's epistles continue the theme. Romans 15:24 I hope to see you while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while. 25 Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the Lord’s people there. 26 For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the Lord’s people in Jerusalem. 27 They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings. 28 So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received this contribution, I will go to Spain and visit you on the way.

1 Cor 16:1 Now about the collection for the saints, you are to do as I directed the churches of Galatia: 2 On the first day of every week, each of you should set aside a portion of his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will be needed. 3 Then, on my arrival, I will send letters with those you recommend to carry your gift to Jerusalem.…

Not to mention 2 Cor 7 and 8 -- two entire chapters on the subject.

Clearly we can see "God's economy" as a continuation of the pattern in the Gospels: "Lord, we have given up everything to follow you - what will there be for us? ~Matt 19:27; and "The women ministered to Jesus out of their substance" ~Luke 8:3; and "Judas held the [common] purse" ~John 12:6; 13:29 and the [gentile] Magi bringing precious gifts ~Matt 2:11; culminating in "and the nations brought their glory into it (The New Jerusalem") ~Rev 21:24;26.

All this fulfilled the prophetic word by Isaiah that the nations would stream to the Holy Mountain to worship God. ~Isa 2:2; 66:20. Witness Lee stressed teaching God's economy, which is in faith (1 Tim 1:4) but he didn't correctly teach us what God's economy actually was. Notice that Paul didn't delineate what God's economy is - Witness Lee supplies the contents from his own imagination. The complete record of the NT, and its referents in the OT may give a better understanding of "God's economy which is in faith" than "the Last Adam became a life-giving spirit" and "the spirit witnesses with your spirit".

There's a "dispensing" repeatedly shown in the NT, which Lee seemed to take pains to ignore. Perhaps because it conflicted with his version of "dispensing" in his proprietary "God's economy".

[aron]

Originally Posted by aron

There's a "dispensing" repeatedly shown in the NT, which Lee seemed to take pains to ignore. Perhaps because it conflicted with his version of "dispensing" in his proprietary "God's economy".

I cite Didache as a window into "God's economy" because it's a well-attested first/second-century letter which is sub-titled "the teaching of the Twelve to the Nations". It's an early commentary on the apostles' teaching, as valid (or moreso) than a commentary supplied centuries later by Darby or Nee or Lee or Spurgeon or whomever.

Witness Lee properly stressed teaching God's economy which is in faith (1 Tim 1:4), but how do we know it is what he said it was? "The last Adam became a life-giving Spirit" and "The Spirit witnesses with out spirit"? Is that God's economy?

Didache says, "Let your alms sweat in your palm before you know who to give it to." When the apostles were in Jerusalem, it was simple: give your alms through the Twelve. "And they sold what they had and laid it at the apostles' feet" ~Acts 4:34,35, cf 2:45. And this continued with Paul: "They (the apostles) asked us to continue to remember the poor, which very thing I was eager to do" ~Gal 2:10

The NT gives another window into "dispensing" and "which is by faith" than the one Witness Lee stressed. You know, masticating the processed Triune God and becoming God in life and nature.

Jesus taught, "When you give a feast, invite those who cannot repay you, and you'll be repaid in the resurrection of the righteous". Luke 14:12-14 This is the dispensing that Paul and Barnabas did in Acts 12, and the Twelve did in Acts 6.

Now look at Paul as he fulfills the Apostle's commission cited in Galatians 2. Romans 15:25 "Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the Lord’s people there. 26 For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the Lord’s people in Jerusalem. 27 They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings. 28 So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received this contribution, I will go to Spain and visit you on the way"

So Paul is repeating the dispensing of Acts 12 and Acts 6.

1 Cor 15: 1 "Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. 2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. 3 Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem."

Is alms-giving a "dead work" in the NT? Here's Paul in Acts 24:17 "After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor and to present offerings."

Here is Dorcas in Acts 9:36 In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor.

Here is Cornelius in Acts 10:3,4 About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.” And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God.

Perhaps that's closer to what Paul meant when he wrote to "teach God's economy, which is in faith". Certainly Witness Lee's explanation isn't the only possible one. We just passively accepted it as though it were. First he made us brain-dead by repetitive shouting, then he fed us his home-made theories. I think we should question them, and probe for alternatives.

Didache was written later, when the Twelve were not together in Jerusalem, so it might be harder for the [gentile] recipients scattered abroad to know to whom to give alms. Jerusalem may well have been in ruins by then. So the writer is saying, Hold your alms in your hands, look round, and God will show you how to participate in His economy.

[Raptor]

The Bible starts with God, ends with the New Jerusalem and in the middle, Jesus Christ crucified.

[aron]

Originally Posted by Raptor

The Bible starts with God, ends with the New Jerusalem and in the middle, Jesus Christ crucified.

Paul writes not to teach other than God's economy, which is in faith. And then the New Jerusalem has 'nations' [Gk: ethnoi] bringing their glory to it... seems to have shades of Solomon indeed.

1 Kings 4:21 And Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms from the Euphrates River to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt. These countries brought tribute and were Solomon's subjects all his life.

1 Kings 10:25 Year after year, everyone who came brought a gift--articles of silver and gold, robes, weapons and spices, and horses and mules.

Lee told us that these ethnoi in Rev. 21 weren't Christian believers or Jews but were unbelievers who did good works for 3.5 years. Seems like good works can save you in the NT? Sometimes? That's God's economy?

[Raptor]

Originally Posted by aron

Paul writes not to teach other than God's economy, which is in faith.

The Bible
starts with God, ends with the New Jerusalem and in the middle, Jesus Christ crucified.

Ephesians chapter 1
starts with God, ends with the Church, His Body, the fullness of the One who fills all in all (New Jerusalem), and in the middle, In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses (Jesus Christ crucified)

[aron]

Continuing post #261, Paul devotes 2 whole chapters, 2 Corinthians 7 and 8, to the collection for the poor in Jerusalem. Here are the first 4 verses from chapter 7.

"And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people [the Jews]."

It's an interesting meditation on "grace", a word Paul uses frequently in this section. And let's not forget the 2 books written by Paul's traveling companion, Luke. Both his gospel and his acts begin with a preface dedicated to the presumably generous gentile benefactor, the "most excellent Theophilus". All of this gives us a window into God's economy as it was understood by Paul.

More in 2 Cor 7 (vv 13-15): "Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, as it is written: 'The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little' "

And this view was shared by the other apostles, to read Paul's word in Gal 2, and the word-picture painted by John in Revelation 21. Maybe, then, the stories that sprinkle the first few chapters of Acts are not disparate and puzzling anecdotes, unrelated and easily passed over and forgotten, but rather a coherent narrative whole, which lies behind Paul's missionary thrusts. The grumbling of the Hellenist widows in the daily dispensing, the desire of Ananias and his wife to with-hold some of their resources while feigning absoluteness. Luke has a story here.

Now, Witness Lee's ideas may be better than mine, as to what Paul meant in 1 Tim 1:4. But WL's ideas can be challenged and critiqued, same as anyone else's. I read an interesting anecdote on the FB discussion recently. RK was expounding on something, and when someone told him that WL taught different, he said, "Well I'm not the minister of the age". Just like that he renounced his God-given right to think, and to possess his own thoughts. I'd rather not passively receive one man's thought as a replacement for mine.

We're ultimately responsible for not only our behaviours but the thoughts that lie behind them. Trying to understand Paul's thoughts helps us to grapple with our own, and to take full ownership thereof.