{"product_id":"economics-in-the-bible-9798895320402","title":"Economics in the Bible","description":"Many people think that there is no or mere connection between economics and the Bible. When people hear that I majored in economics and biblical studies, they wonder why I studied the two quite different fields. Then, they guess that I just gave up what I previously studied (economics) to become a pastor. However, I think that the Bible teaches a lot about economics, which I define the study of decision making by economic agents - an individual, a firm, a market, or a government - in everyday life. Microeconomics is the study of an individual's decision making for him\/her and his\/her household to maximize utility (that is, satisfaction) and a firm's decision making to maximize its profit. Macroeconomics is the study of a government's decision making for a country as a whole under various situations of employment\/unemployment, inflation, business cycles, growth, etc.When we say about an economy, it generally means a situation or a status of a country in terms of employment\/unemployment, inflation, gross domestic product (GDP) or consumption, exports\/imports, and\/or national budget\/debts or of a household in its budget and\/or consumption. However, in the New Testament, the Greek word, \"\u003cem\u003eoikonomia\u003c\/em\u003e,\" which corresponds to the English word, \"economy,\" is used more about (managing or governing) activity rather than a situation or a status. Its meanings in the New Testament include \"stewardship or the management of the household\" (Luke 16:2-4); \"mission or dispensation (of spreading the gospel)\" (1 Cor. 9:17); and God's plan or dispensation of human salvation\" (Eph. 1:10). I believe that God wants his people to be saved not only spiritually but also materially. By \"material salvation,\" I mean that God's people can also be saved materially in this world by learning economics of God - learning how to manage their time, money, and life according to the will of God and his instructions.\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Parson's Porch","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51384333467922,"sku":"9798895320402","price":20.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_f85ce65a-5b78-4d7f-b71e-723b8919c33a.jpg?v=1750170855","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/economics-in-the-bible-9798895320402","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}