Economic Blabber

When economics is discussed, money is usually what comes to mind for most. For those with more training, things like utility and social cost may enter conversation. Things like equilibria, marginal costs, and opportunity costs are key concepts. As I was pondering economics in general, I realized something. Economics is generally defined as the efficient use and transfer of scarce goods, or the creation of value through trade. I think economics is simply human exchange and response. This may seem obvious to most, but I'm in the mood to write about it.

Economics is human exchange and response. How do humans respond to external forces? How do humans exchange? We give money to the government in the form of taxes. What do we get in return? We have to get something. Perhaps we get laws that enhance other forms of exchange. Perhaps we get the guarantee not to go to jail for tax evasion. Maybe it is because we don't have a choice. I think not. Whatever our reason is for paying taxes, that is what we get in return.

Why would I befriend a particular person, Fred, for example? I'm giving Fred my time. What do I get in return? Maybe he's a real jerk but likes being my friend. He takes my time and energy and gives me nothing but a hard time back. What if I keep being His friend? Obviously he's giving me a hard time back, but that can't possibly be why I'm his friend. I'm not a fool. I must get something back though. I might get the satisfaction of knowing he has a friend in me. There is still exchange.

I think all humans are rational. It's the definition of rationality that is a farce.

St. Valentine

I did a little research on Valentine. I had suspected that he was a great man of faith. I was right.

Valentine was persecuted for telling people about Jesus. He stood trial for blaspheming the pagan gods, Mercury and Jupiter. Not missing a beat, he prayed for the blind daughter of the judge, and she was healed.

The Family

Last weekend, I had the honor to attend a conference by Leif Hetland. Normally, events like this are exciting and crazy, but this time was different. It was exciting, but hardly as crazy as a typical conference.

I got to see a glimpse of where the body of Christ is headed. It's exciting, but it is incredibly weighty. God is about to entrust His people with the things that are most precious to Him. We are really good at not stewarding things properly. God is about to prepare His people to have His heart. Getting from where we are to where He wants us is not going to be the least bit easy.

"Father, cut me open. Thy will be done." This must be the cry of our heart. Church growth, discipleship programs, and neat praise songs are not really that important to God. What He wants is total surrender. That's it. He wants all of us.

One of the greatest lessons to learn is that the Kingdom is a family. We are made in the image of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. "Let us make man in OUR image." There are no superstars in the Kingdom, only fathers and sons. We were made in the image of the Father and the Son and Holy Spirit. God Himself is a family unit.

I think from now on, I will refer to the "Church" as the Family.