What is God's Economy?

[Sons to Glory!]

Originally Posted by JJ

Well funny thing happened. Sounds like a bunch of us started doing that. Reading what other verses in the Bible say about a matter, and listening to what other Christians were reading from the Bible and fellowshipping with them. And, the Savant and his self declared #1 follower missed some things that were as plain as the noses on their face. Like “God’s economy is in faith” right there! And gee, Hebrews gives a definition of faith and examples of it in action. No need for analogies. Put the two together and there’s the answer.

I never got that much out of all this discussions in the LC about God's economy. I realized there was an administration in the universe, but in the LC I saw it more as a heavy-hand God used to roll out His purpose . . . and if we got in His way, we would be crushed.

But a couple years ago we were going over God's administration and I received some light. It's the structure He uses, in His house, to ensure everyone gets what they need. God's purpose is not somehow apart from us, it is fully involving us as the "objects" of His great love and His caring purpose toward us.

A good picture is how the human household should be. The father of the house provides the safety, security and necessities for all who live in the house. The wife/mother is a partner in this, and together they supply all the needs, in love, to every member of the household. This greatly benefits the whole family and love is flowing between each member. Sometimes a little discipline is needed, and it is provided - again, in love and for the benefit of the family member.

I saw that the God-given structure of husband/wife, father/mother/children was all about love, and the growth & development of the family members. I believe this picture is a more proper understanding of God's household economy.

[OBW]

Originally Posted by Sons to Glory!

. . . I realized there was an administration in the universe, but in the LC I saw it more as a heavy-hand God used to roll out His purpose . . .

And in that little bit is a revelation of the nature of God's economy as seen by Nee and Lee. It is a lens through which to view everything else. And the nature of that lens was defined in a manner that was effectively useless as a true lens.

But more than that, it seems to me that thinking of it as "an administration in the universe," while not simply incorrect, tends to miss the direction of the verses that introduce the concept. They are not introducing a divine administration that doles out everything or runs everything. Rather it is pointing to things (in the particular case, teachings) that result in God's economy. So the emphasis is not on the administration and what it does, but on the things that bring it about. To use a poor analogy, it is not a discussion of horsepower generated by internal combustion engines, but on the factors that result in that horsepower. Lee was focused on God's economy as being the source and cause rather than the result of something else. So God's economy is the result of so much. It is not the cause. Not saying that it has no results, but that is not what the verses were saying.

[JJ]

God’s Economy: The House Law of The House of The Living God and how one should conduct himself in it (words copied from 1 Timothy, Berean Literal Bible)

God: Father who gives grace, mercy and peace. A Savior God through Jesus Christ our Lord

Contrasting approaches are given to Timothy by Paul so that he may know how it behooves one to conduct oneself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and base of the truth.
And confessedly, great is the mystery of godliness:
Who was revealed in the flesh,
was justified in the Spirit,
was seen by angels,
was proclaimed among the nations,
was believed on in the world,
was taken up in glory.

Right Approach:

In faith with a goal of instruction that is love out of a pure heart, and a good conscience, and a sincere faith.

Like Paul who had thankfulness to Christ Jesus his Lord who had strengthened him and esteemed him faithful, having appointed him to service, being formerly a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and insolent; but was shown mercy, because he did it in unbelief, being ignorant. And the grace of our Lord surpassingly increased with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Trustworthy is the saying, and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom the apostle Paul wasthe foremost. But because of this he was shown mercy, that in him Christ Jesus might display perfect patience, as a pattern for those being about to believe on Him to eternal life. This Christ is King of the ages, immortal, invisible, only God. To him be honor and glory to the ages of the ages. Amen.

Those who are children of such a sent one are charged according to prophecies going before as to them that by them they might wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience.


Wrong approach: Those who teach other doctrines and/or give heed to myths and endless genealogies, which bring speculations. Having missed the mark, have turned aside to meaningless discourse, desiring to be teachers of the Law, understanding neither what they are saying nor that about which they confidently assert. These don’t understand that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully. It is not enacted for a righteous one, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for slayers of man, for the sexually immoral, homosexuals, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and if anything other is opposed to being sound in the teaching, according to the gospel of the glory of the blessed God

Having cast away faith and a good conscience have caused a shipwreck concerning the faith. Among whom were Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom Paul handed over to Satan, that they may be disciplined not to blaspheme.

Instructions to ministers regarding what their exhortations and instructions to others in the house of God should be:

https://biblehub.com/blb/1_timothy/2.htm

Qualifications for overseers and serving ones are in Ch 3:1-13

https://biblehub.com/blb/1_timothy/3.htm

But the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, in the hypocrisy of liars, having been seared in the own conscience, forbidding to marry, commanding to abstain from foods that God created for reception with thanksgiving by the faithful and those knowing the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, being received with thanksgiving, for it sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

Laying before the brothers these things, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being nourished in the words of the faith, and of the good teaching that you have closely followed.
But refuse profane and silly fables. Rather, train yourself to godliness. For bodily exercise is of a little profit, but godliness is profitable for everything, holding the promise of the present life and of the one coming. Trustworthy is the saying, and worthy of full acceptance.

For this we toil and strive, because we have hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers. Command and teach these things.

Let no one despise your youth, but be a pattern for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

Give heed to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.

Do not be negligent of the gift in you, which was given to you through prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the elderhood. Ponder these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress may be evident to all. Give heed to yourself and to the teaching. Continue in them; for doing this, you will save both yourself and those hearing you.

Guidelines for Reproof, supporting widows, and a final charge are in Chapter 5

https://biblehub.com/blb/1_timothy/5.htm

[OBW]

Originally Posted by JJ

God’s Economy: The House Law of The House of The Living God and how one should conduct himself in it (words copied from 1 Timothy, Berean Literal Bible)

First, is this some version of the scripture, or is it a section heading?

In any case, it is good stuff. But I have this problem with phrasing it in that "house law" way because it then suggests that it is something needing to be ferreted-out. Something that needs to be defined. However, it is actually nowhere defined. Instead, it is stated as being "by faith," not "by careful following of a set of rules." But that is how Lee treated it. "God's economy" became a rule that could rewrite scripture to mean something it did not say, or even insist that certain parts should be ignored or used as an example of a violation of "God's economy."

But God's economy is the sum total of what arises from those who have been taught properly. It is seen in the actions of the church as a group in providing aid — both spiritual and physical — to the people both near and far in the form of shelters, aid, missionaries, urgent labor for disasters, and healthy teaching for righteous living. It is seen in the actions of individual Christians as they act responsibly and righteously in everything that they undertake in all aspects of their living.

And how does this happen? Through healthy teaching that encourages right/Christ-like living. That doesn't presume that there is some unmet need for more of something before stepping out in faith to do the righteous thing — or at least try even if you come up short.

[Sons to Glory!]

Originally Posted by OBW

In any case, it is good stuff. But I have this problem with phrasing it in that "house law" way because it then suggests that it is something needing to be ferreted-out. Something that needs to be defined. However, it is actually nowhere defined. Instead, it is stated as being "by faith," not "by careful following of a set of rules." But that is how Lee treated it. "God's economy" became a rule that could rewrite scripture to mean something it did not say, or even insist that certain parts should be ignored or used as an example of a violation of "God's economy."

To me "house law" is just the order of things God establishes to make sure all those in His house receive the care they need. The picture of the loving father - mother - children household works for me, as the structure is all in place for the riches to flow to everyone in the house. In this structure, all works well for that purpose.

To contrast that, if things aren't orderly in a household, then things don't flow well. For instance, if the father is absent or irresponsible, or the mother isn't faithful or vindictive, or the children are rebellious - then things don't flow nearly as well. But if the ordained administration is well in place (house-law), then the members of the household grow and develop properly, getting the love, nourishment, care and even discipline they need.

[OBW]

Originally Posted by Sons to Glory!

To me "house law" is just the order of things God establishes to make sure all those in His house receive the care they need. The picture of the loving father - mother - children household works for me, as the structure is all in place for the riches to flow to everyone in the house. In this structure, all works well for that purpose

But that view is restrictive. It only deals with how the riches of the estate are distributed to those who live there. God's economy encompasses so much more than the doling out of clothing and food (spiritual or otherwise). It is everything that s Christ-follower does in his life. It is the way that we live our lives, not just some dispensing that we need more of so that we can.

The picture of the "care we need" is short of the whole of any complete administration. This picture of God's economy would be like rewriting Matthew 5 to say things like "blessed are they that eat the food on the table; blessed are they who hunger and thirst for what is dispensed" and so on. No righteousness required. No need to hunger and thirst for that. It will just happen once you get enough food from the table. I fear that this kind of nonsensical teaching is reasonably included in the warnings later in Matt 5 where those who teach the reduction of the "rules" are the least.

Maybe that kind of teaching is an example of wood, hay, and stubble.

[Sons to Glory!]

Originally Posted by OBW

But that view is restrictive. It only deals with how the riches of the estate are distributed to those who live there. God's economy encompasses so much more than the doling out of clothing and food (spiritual or otherwise). It is everything that s Christ-follower does in his life. It is the way that we live our lives, not just some dispensing that we need more of so that we can.

The picture of the "care we need" is short of the whole of any complete administration. This picture of God's economy would be like rewriting Matthew 5 to say things like "blessed are they that eat the food on the table; blessed are they who hunger and thirst for what is dispensed" and so on. No righteousness required. No need to hunger and thirst for that. It will just happen once you get enough food from the table. I fear that this kind of nonsensical teaching is reasonably included in the warnings later in Matt 5 where those who teach the reduction of the "rules" are the least.

Maybe that kind of teaching is an example of wood, hay, and stubble.

Huh!? You had me until that last sentence . . .

So I think what you were saying (up until the last sentence) is that there is more than just receiving the riches in the house, right? And I think I agree. That is, the supplying that goes on in the household provides the base and strength to go out and supply others - is that what yer saying?

[JJ]

Originally Posted by OBW

First, is this some version of the scripture, or is it a section heading?

In any case, it is good stuff. But I have this problem with phrasing it in that "house law" way because it then suggests that it is something needing to be ferreted-out. Something that needs to be defined. However, it is actually nowhere defined. Instead, it is stated as being "by faith," not "by careful following of a set of rules." But that is how Lee treated it. "God's economy" became a rule that could rewrite scripture to mean something it did not say, or even insist that certain parts should be ignored or used as an example of a violation of "God's economy."

But God's economy is the sum total of what arises from those who have been taught properly. It is seen in the actions of the church as a group in providing aid — both spiritual and physical — to the people both near and far in the form of shelters, aid, missionaries, urgent labor for disasters, and healthy teaching for righteous living. It is seen in the actions of individual Christians as they act responsibly and righteously in everything that they undertake in all aspects of their living.

And how does this happen? Through healthy teaching that encourages right/Christ-like living. That doesn't presume that there is some unmet need for more of something before stepping out in faith to do the righteous thing — or at least try even if you come up short.

Good question re header. I wrote the header and the rest was taken verbatim from the contents of 1 Timothy (Berean Literal Bible with a few tense changes, as some things written as present sense are to us now past tense).

House law is the literal translation of the Greek word sometimes translated economy. Since Paul said his purpose in writing to Timothy was so he would know how one should.conduct oneself in the house of God , and God’s house law is a term Paul used in it... rather than look elsewhere in the Bible for a definition like I did in my previous posts just look at this book itself and follow what it says for clues to its meaning. Thus the long post (my apologies).

Great comments! That leads me to wonder if Paul’s second book to Timothy and/or to Titus where the terms healthy words and healthy teaching relate to what you are saying.

[aron]

There are two rich men portrayed in the gospels. One refuses to aid the beggar laying at his gate. That rich man ends in torment in Hades. Another rich man told Jesus, "See, the half of what I own, I give away to the poor" and Jesus replied that the kingdom had come to his domicile.

Now, who among us is rich? I hardly qualify. But each one has something. It could be time, attention, prayer, a kind word, or some thoughtful gesture. Holding a door for an older person, smiling and saying "Good day".

I love the story of the bread and fish. The disciples were troubled at their poverty, their lack. "What are these, among so many?" ~John 6:9 But Jesus had the people sit down in orderly groups, and blessed and thanked the Father, and broke the bread, and gave it away. Now, what do you suppose the one who got the bread did? Sat down and started "masticating God" selfishly? No, he broke it and gave it away. Every good gift needs to be broken (spiritually) and passed out to the ones around. If you have bread, and your neighbour is empty, you are the rich man. What will you do? That is what "God's economy" asks. Do you really love your neighbour as yourself, or is it just lip service?

Seen in this light, James 2:16 doesn't look like the "low gospel" at all, but rather "the high peak of the divine revelation" and "the central lane of God's New Testament economy", to use LC terms.

[OBW]

Originally Posted by JJ

House law is the literal translation of the Greek word sometimes translated economy. Since Paul said his purpose in writing to Timothy was so he would know how one should conduct oneself in the house of God . . . .

I would not presume that just because Paul was talking about the house of God that the term should be understood in its most primitive form. There are many words that may have origins in separate terms spliced together that over time almost never mean what the original terms meant.

If we go back to find what kinds of teachings that might be included in the collection that Paul referred to as resulting in God's economy, I think we should consider what it was that Jesus commanded the disciples to preach/teach. It is found in the typically ignored part of the so-called great commission where he said to "teach them to obey all that I have commanded." If you look back at the breadth of His teachings over the prior 3+ years, there is much that goes way beyond what would be distilled down to a household administration. Surely that is included in there, but there is so much more.

And that is the point. It is not "simply" anything. It is always so much more. It is clearly not some straight jacket by which to restrict the content of teachings, but the descriptor of the tremendous diversity of what the combination of all the healthy teachings produce. While it may seem that this is much more than how we ought to conduct ourselves in the house of God, I would disagree. If you do not see the fullness of what God is doing, you can't properly realize the fullness of the God in whose house you are coming to worship and fellowship.

As for Paul's other letters, I was struck by a particular phrase in the letter to Titus in which Paul said that grace teaches us to obey. And for those who think of grace as some unmerited favor, and the thing that keeps us from needing to do works, it would seem that it also directs us on how to obey (i.e., do works). And if we are not obeying (doing) then we are not really experiencing what grace provides. I'm pretty sure that taking your spiritual temperature and determining that you do not yet have enough (whatever — dispensing, grace, time in the faith, etc.) to do the obedient thing is to reject the call of Paul to walk in (set your mind on) the Spirit. To reject Peter's word when he said we have all we need. To reject that Jesus is the way — not just to some future reward, but to live the life abundant right now.

[OBW]

I first wondered how to consider aron's most recent post "on topic." Then I realized that without ever saying the words, it is a prime example of God's economy. It is the result of healthy teachings. In this case, the most basic teaching of loving your neighbor as yourself. We could flood this thread with examples of obediently living out the various teachings of Christ and we would see, over and over, total love for God and equally total love for mankind (OK, humankind for those who are stuck on the gender-neutral bandwagon).

And why do I say for all people rather than just our neighbor? Because we live in an age in which the world is our neighbor in some sense. We may not actually walk by them on the road, but we still see them, whether on the evening news or as we travel around wherever we live or roam. Otherwise, the Samaritan would have had just cause to ignore the battered man on the side of the road because he wasn't his neighbor, but some Jew's neighbor.