Written by Prof. Jeffrey Schone

Lutheran schools serve students from every socio-economic level because Christians of all means want their children to learn about God’s love for them in Christ. Should Lutheran teachers ignore issues of economic advantage or disadvantage, or should they advocate for economic justice as their peers in public school systems do?

As an economics professor at Martin Luther College, I took four students to the Nobel Conference titled “In Search of Economic Balance” at nearby Gustavus Adolphus College. We considered whether economic advocacy has a role in our lives as Christians or Lutheran public ministers. Let me briefly summarize some of the topics discussed at the conference and discuss them in light of God’s Word.

Wrestling with the glaring disparity of income and wealth in the world is mainstream business these days. Daily newspapers print articles, popular magazines publish studies and offer editorials, candidates in this presidential election year argue about the “1%-ers.” The statistics of economic inequality seem stark, yet simple to understand. Nevertheless, economists, sociologists, government planners, academics, researchers, business leaders, et al., don’t agree on whether a problem exists or whether the increase in economic inequality will result in negative consequences.

That being said, the Nobel Conference was not called together because people are unconcerned or indifferent. On the contrary, a great many people hold a great many concerns. If income disparity continues to increase, if wealth continues to concentrate in the hands of fewer and fewer, what will be the consequences?

• Will human needs be met for the majority of the population, needs for food and water, for sanitation, for health care, for education, for opportunity?
• Will nations, cities, and communities be able to maintain their infrastructures, complex systems, useful institutions, and orderly purposes?
• Will economic inequality burden democracy, inhibit freedom, threaten dignity, restrict opportunity, and halt progress?

The title of Dr. Rieger’s presentation intrigued me: “What Does Jesus Have to Do with Wall Street?” Dr. Rieger argued that theology ought to be more than philosophical and metaphysical investigation, but should reach into the lives of people and communities.  It should, therefore, be concerned with an economic inequality that burdens and restricts the majority of people around the world; it should concern itself with enacting necessary and beneficial change. This is what Jesus has to do with Wall Street.

In discussing how change might come about, Dr. Rieger pointed to the labor movements of the last century and the gains for workers resulting from those cooperative endeavors.  He suggested that new grassroots organization and the united efforts of many (including many religious people) might well change the direction of income and wealth distribution.

It is true that Jesus did address matters important to economists and the economy.  He does speak, for example, about:

• income/wealth inequality
• income and wealth as gifts of God
• careful stewardship of God’s gifts (the Greek word oikonomia is best defined as stewardship or management, especially of another’s property)
• responsibility of the “haves” for the “have nots”
• the value of industry and labor
• respect and responsibility for laborers
• the use of money and capital
• taxes and government
• the love of money and the destructive nature of greed and selfishness

At the same time, Jesus made it very clear that only one thing was needed, namely, hearing and believing the truth about God’s gracious love for sinners, which moved him to redeem sinners with the precious blood of his Son, poured out for the sins of the world.  It is this saving love of the Father and redeeming work of the Son and the enlivening and empowering work of the Spirit that changes people and that fills them with love, not only for God, but for others—for neighbors, for the poor, for the disadvantaged, for the unequal and the burdened.

Jesus has much to do with the economy because Jesus has much to do with human hearts and hands. Jesus has much to do with the economy because he overcame the greatest threat to the economy—sin and selfishness.  Jesus has much to do with the economy because he is the one who promises to bless and provide for his people in this temporary and impermanent world and to an even greater extent in the permanent and lasting world to come.

How Lutheran educators address economic inequality will vary based upon the scope and circumstances of one’s ministry. There is not one approach that everyone should follow. However, we will avoid two erroneous ideas: first, that Jesus (and our religious life with Jesus) has nothing to do with the economy and, second, that Jesus (and our religious life with Jesus) are chiefly concerned with this world and its economy.

A more complete report of the Nobel Conference and its topics can be found here.

Professor Jeffrey Schone (WLS ’87) serves as vice-president for student life at Martin Luther College-New Ulm MN.