Biblical Economics: A Commonsense Guide to Our Daily Bread

by R.C. Sproul Jr.

Americans are obsessed with money, yet understand little of the workings of economics. Worst yet is the fact that what we think we know is just plain wrong. Politicians and special interest groups benefit from this ignorance while the American people slip deeper into debt and financial slavery. Biblical Economics tells you exactly what, how and why you need to know about its topic, no more and no less. With a passing interest in the subject, you may know a few more things about economics than R.C. chooses to discuss in the book. But most of those things are not things that most of us need to know in order to live a biblically sound life. Only a few are vital, and R.C. has done us the immense favor of isolating them, explaining them in clear and simple terms, and showing how they are pertinent and in fact critical to an understanding of how Christians must live in a world that is adamant about denying the role of God in providing our daily bread. You'll find that Biblical Economics is an invaluable aid for developing your own understanding of economic principles. Read it, then give it your child to read and then talk with him about it.

Genres: Economics, Theology, Christianity, Nonfiction, Christian Living, School, Finance

218 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1985

About the author

Robert Craig Sproul, better known as R.C. Sproul, Jr., is a Calvinist Christian minister and theologian and is the son of R.C. Sproul, a noted Reformed theologian and founder of Ligonier Ministries.

Reviews

[Heather Gladney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was not super impressed with this book. It’s by R.C Sproul’s son who studied economics so I was expecting good things. However, for 9 of the 10 chapters, it was mostly complaints about the US government since the Great Depression with small pieces of Scripture sparsely integrated. There were a few helpful ideas in terms of how to balance Christian charity and biblical stewardship of our God-given resources. I also appreciated how he explained that Christians should value equity as opposed to equality concerning material possessions. But overall, it felt as though he was airing out his personal grievances and offering a few practical solutions/biblical advice along the way.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

R.C. Sproul, Jr. understands economics far better than most any other Christian writer that I've encountered. This is a short book but it is full of wisdom, insight, and Scriptural exegesis. Sproul sees economics as one of the integral aspects of human flourishing. Not only that, but he understands that economic confusion is a judgment and brings further judgment.

The chapters are relatively brief, but they are packed with brilliance and practicality. Sproul understands the impact of inflation, the devastations of fiat currency, government debt, and deficit spending. This is an important book for all Christians to read. It should be read by all Christians who desire to see reformation and revival. Without a proper understanding of economics, there is only judgment and despair in our future.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. R.C. Sproul Jr.gives a refreshing, Biblical perspective on economics and other issues. I especially liked the chapter on prosperity. He explained how properity naturally flows from a free, unregulated economy. He also challenged the myth that prosperity shouldn't be worked towards, but instead showed how it is a necessary component of a healthy economy. He ends the book with a call for education, saying that the only way we can get a small government back is for Americans to have a small government mindset. "Public opinion changes one mind at a time." Very inspiring. Deserves all 5 stars!

[Gabriel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good intro to biblical econ. The laws of economics flow from God and the covenant He has made with man. Supply and demand does not come from thin air. Supply and demand comes from God's command not to steal and a faithful view of covenants.

[Mwansa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think it's previous name fits the book much better than Biblical Economics.

This is a good book that gives a decent overview of money and the government because the two are linked. It shows the biblical principles (albeit briefly and almost anecdotally) that guide money and it's use. As the discussion of money continues you inevitably get to the point where personal and home finances are done and you need to understand how money affects the connection between the home and the outside world.

One thing I specifically loved about the book is the connection made at the end to the desire for small government and how that the actions we carry out might actually be to the detriment of the desire for smaller government. The book also encourages Christians to talk over these issues among themselves and with non believers so that a clearer understanding can come from that. This is especially critical because it allows us to show that there is a biblical foundation for all this and the gospel can be shared because of such conversations beginning and at the end of the day, isn't that what we really want to see?

[Adam T. Calvert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a terrific primer on the Biblical view of economics. And it is immensely needed in our churches in America - if nothing more than to demonstrate the following: “That the Bible is not an economics textbook does not mean that it is totally useless for understanding economic issues. … Where ethics touches economics, the Bible is relevant.” (p. 16)

In this short but greatly useful book, R.C. Sproul Jr. gives a Scriptural presentation of stewardship, property, profit, money, inflation, debt, poverty, equity, government, and more. The book is very readable and has solid practical value. I would recommend it to every Christian minister and layperson alike. Not only is it edifying in personal use, but I think it would be highly valuable for a small group study as well.

Get this book and read it with Scripture!

[Luke Deacon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a real eye-opener on many issues (bringing sense and simplicity (and joy!) to the "complex", often stupid economic policies of today). I'm actually doing the whole course, so I'm not sure how much of what I've learned was from the book vs. how much was from the lectures/questions! I'd highly, highly recommend the whole course, though.

[Aurora Grace · Rating 1 out of 5]

In which Sproul Jr tries to defend capitalism as a form of "biblical" economics.

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Presentation of a Difficult and Potentially Boring Topic

Economics is an item that has an impact on each and everyone of us, like it or not. This book is biblical in foundation, but universal in educational scope.

Every citizen should read it for a clear delineation of the difference between an interventionist socialist based economy and a free market economy. Centralized control economies simply do not work. Free market economies do.

This book clarifies the differences while demolishing myths that the left propagates as truth. In fact, they are based on half truths,omissions and outright lies.

The chapter on profit is a gem in and of itself clarifying the absolute necessity of profit as a means of producing economic progress. Without it, economies have no direction, no investable funds for growth and no incentives to bring out a product or service in the first place.

Many other gems lie inside this book. If you want a clearer education than you ever got in any university course on economics, irrespective of your religious leanings, a read of this book will not be a waste of your time and effort. Easy to follow but still practical and accurate. Every American should give it a read.

[Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Does the Bible say anything about civil government? Should Christians be concerned with economics, government, and money? The answer to all those questions is a big YES.

This book not only defends the free market, but derives it from scripture. Economics is inherently moral, so Christians must have a developed way of thinking about economics. Every Christian needs to read this book and apply it to their lives.

[Josiah Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really fine book on economics from a Christian perspective. Some might ask what Christianity has to with economics, and as Sproul Jr. shows here, Christianity is the foundation for economics. Sproul Jr. is well versed in economic theory and explains it terrifically. This is a guide, not an exhaustive summary, so some things were filtered out to keep the book around 200 pages, but the whole thing is written intentionally, so there is no fluff here.

[Derek VanRoekel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I bought this book. I learned more about some macroeconomic principles such as inflation through reading it, but the book is outdated at this point as it was published in 1985. Sproul JR’s opinions are generally well thought out, but he has some extreme and controversial ideas on what constitutes economic sin, such as accepting social security payments.

[Jerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent introduction to economics with a vital chapter on our government called Leviathan. Essential reading for pastors as entitlement, statism, envy, and other ills bred from so-called "social justice" abound.

[Talia Crumb · Rating 2 out of 5]

A decent book in explaining conservative economics but I would hardly call it Biblical economics. Biblical concepts are briefly brushed in but this was not at all what I was expecting nor wanting. Disappointed.

[Jake · Rating 3 out of 5]

An okay primer.

[Natalie Weber · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was the first I read as part of a Great Authors webinar series put on by Vision Forum. My understanding of economics is very elementary, so this book was a great starting point to help me understand some basic economic principles. It includes chapters on: Stewardship, Creation, Prosperity, Profit, Money, Inflation, Debt, Poverty, Equity, and Government. Perhaps more than anything, it reminded me how practical and helpful an understanding of these principles is for daily living in general, and for establishing sound business practices in particular. The chapter on Prosperity is the one that has stuck with me the most, especially the discussion of what “conditions must exist for economic growth and material welfare to happen.” While the book is certainly enlightening, one should be aware that reading it is sure to make you more aware of the disastrous policies and practices that have been adopted by our government. R.C. Sproul shares a few thoughts at the end of the book on how to work toward a solution and sums it up by stating, “Prayer and education are the two strongest tools the Christian has. It is up to us to use them and to call our nation to true, national discipleship, under God, with liberty and justice for all.”

[Briana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Couldn't put it down.

...and yes, it's an economics book...

It was just that good.
Great introduction to the confusing and depressing world of economics. People today get so caught up in what's "fair" and "right", but most of the time, our perception of justice has been affected too much on an emotional level. If we want to understand economics, we need to really pin down our definitions and ideals. Yes, we're called to be compassionate to the needy, but we need to figure out the best way to do that (not just force other people to be charitable).

I knew I disliked FDR for a reason. (I mean, for a reason other than the fact that he's way more popular and deified than any human being should be...)

By sheer coincidence (or not?), I ran into a bunch of Torrey Academy: Foundations of American Thought authors in here! Montesquieu, Tocqueville...and I caught little snippets of Locke, even though his name wasn't mentioned...it was like running into old friends. Or enemies. I'm not sure... ;P

[Kirk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sproulito did a great job with the economics end of things but only a mediocre job of the biblical end of things. Any convinced free market capitalist will be cheering their way through the book and be learning along the way as well. His writing was engaging and illustrations were very ... well... common-sensical. However, he rarely establishes his economic principles starting with a scriptural foundation. Most of the time he introduces the reader to a free market principle and then shows where that principle can be supported using the scriptures. While his dedication to the scriptures is evident and his zeal to see God's righteousness established in the economic arena is commendable, it seems a book entitled "Biblical Economics" ought to start with the scriptures and derive its economic principles from there. This is really the only critique I have of the book, but it seems an appropriate one considering the title suggests a stronger biblical presence.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could have given more than 5 stars to this book I would have. This book was EXCELLENT and is a great introductory book for anyone wanting to learn about economics or anyone who wants to understand what is going on this country economically right now. I highly recommend it!!!

[Brian Morin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Don't bother--much more of a political platform backed up by a few Biblical anecdotes than a thorough treatise on the Bible's views on economics. Start with.a title that lies to you, and then goes downhill from there.

[eve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple and very easy to read. This book did a great job of introducing economics to me. I've read about and tried to grasp basic economic principles before, but I never really understood them until now!

[Ryan Boomershine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting and helpful read. Highly recommended.

[Joseph · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book.

[Tony · Rating 4 out of 5]

This gave me a good foundation in, surprise surprise, Biblical Economics. It doesn't go in depth, but it provided me with a solid foundation.

[C. McMaster · Rating 3 out of 5]

a good primer...for capitalism.

[Phil Sessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned a lot, and used this with the Ligonier course online with my brother. What a great study.

[Carter Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clear and informative—a must-read.

[Thomas Kidd · Rating 2 out of 5]

Baptized Austrian Economics - which might not be a bad thing, but I'm not convinced.

[Kevin Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very easy read. Not sure I agree with every last jot and title but a helpful foundation to build upon.

[Calvert Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read and primer on the subject.