The one everyone is talking about is not the one that really matters

Following a controversial and tax-raising UK budget speech in Parliament yesterday, the media discourse centers first on how the cost of changes will fall on individuals. A second area of questioning concerns economic growth. This reflects a deeper concern: Will the UK economy be stimulated or inhibited? Will it grow or decline?

I think God wants us to focus on a different economy and whether that is blooming or heading into leaf fall. Jesus talked about the kingdom of God. It was the headline over all of His teaching, and He emphasised its priority by saying:

“Seek first the kingdom of God.” (Matthew 6:33 NIV)

Whether like a fishing boat’s full net, or a buried hoard in a field waiting to be discovered, the kingdom of God is ultimately what the good news about Jesus and His salvation is all about. The kingdom of God is about discovery and growth.

Jesus put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field.” (Matthew 13:24 ESV)

It is where a little is transformed into a lot—our input magnified 30, 60, or even 100 times in a mysterious, hidden organic process.

And this picture of vibrant, organic growth needs to be part of the vision held by every church. Jesus didn’t actually say this. He said very little about church because that came later. But He DID say that the kingdom of God was central to the good news that every disciple was to proclaim.

“But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:60 ESV)

Where churches have taken hold of this message and their responsibility for making it known, there has often been growth—even rapid growth, leading to a building project.

On the other hand, pursuing ‘churchianity’ by putting form above faith, and allowing religiosity to replace relationship, is like upping the tax burden that causes decline.

What God so keenly wants is revival. A growing excitement about Jesus and His continuing presence today, transforming lives and renewing church congregations and reaching out effectively to many who don’t know Him. But strangely, God cannot—or perhaps more correctly chooses not to—do this without the partnership of His believing people.

It is as we say ‘yes’ to Him and what He is doing in the world that His economy is released to expand and touch even more lives.

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