Since 2008, the world has been experimenting with a vast array of economic policies.
Some policies have never been tried before. Others have been tried before, but never on such a grand scale. Many of these creative policies have been undertaken as a result of economic and political desperation. China has been in the headlines recently.
The Shanghai composite stock market index increased more than 100 percent from June 2014 to the middle of June 2015. The Chinese government had encouraged the public to invest in stocks. Increased demand caused stock prices to explode. The stock market was adding more than one million new investors per week. Many used credit, at high interest rates, to buy stocks. From mid-June until May 8 the Shanghai index lost nearly one third of its value.
To maintain their political reputation and prevent possible social unrest, the Chinese government took action. In addition to traditional policies, experimental economic policies were also used. These policies included prohibiting major share holders from selling their stock for six months, suspending IPOs, allowing more than half of the companies on the exchange to suspend trading and lending selected brokerage houses $42 billion to buy stock. The Shanghai market was up sharply May 9 and May 10. Short-term success is not assured. Long-term costs from these actions will be significant.
In the kingdom, churches and individuals should never experiment outside the Word of God. In our 21st-century culture, too many are experimenting with alcohol, drugs, sex outside of marriage, pornography, the occult, and even their own sexuality. Pastors are experimenting with permitting or even condoning sin, not helping the poor, ignoring evangelical and missions work, selectively preaching only part of the gospel, not equipping disciples of Jesus and downplaying the Word. Experiments outside the Word always result in disappointment, frustration and despair.
But experiments within the Word are encouraged. Elijah challenged the Israelites to a grand experiment (1 Kings 18:20-39). He told them, "you set up an altar to Baal, and I will set up an altar to the Lord. We will put wood under the altar, but no fire. You call on the name of your god and I will call upon the Name of my God. Let Him who answers by fire be God." Note the results of the experiment:
"Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice and the wood and the stones and the dust and licked up the water that was in the trench. When all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, "The Lord, He is God! The Lord, He is God!'" (1 Kings 18:38-39, MEV).
Elijah had faith, audacity, and boldness. The Lord used him to glorify His name and bring a great revival.
Perhaps we need to experiment and trust the Lord's Word.
- If there are sick among us, we could experiment and publicly declare them healed in the Name of Jesus.
- If we are facing financial struggles, we could experiment and give more at His direction.
- If there is sin in the house, we could experiment and preach and model holiness and give a call for repentance.
- If we have been selectively preaching or living the gospel, we could experiment and preach and live all of the gospel.
- If we want others to understand the power of the Holy Spirit, we could experiment and publicly demonstrate the power of the Holy Spirit.
"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond all that we ask or imagine, according to the power that works in us" (Eph. 3:20, MEV).
Dr. James Russell is a professor of economics and undergraduate chair of the College of Business at Oral Roberts University.
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