Economics, Politics, Religion. These three spheres of human interaction seem to be linked by a common denominator. PART ONE:WORK. Since the dawn of history there has been economic activity. (Gen 2:5) And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground. From this verse we gather that GOD always intended mankind to work with the resources available. (Gen 3:23) Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. This intention remained intact following the expulsion of Adam and Eve from Eden. (Gen 4:1) And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.(Gen 4:2) And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. There is a division of labour between Cain and Abel as the work force grows. PART TWO: PEOPLE. Adam and Eve were not created with a sinful nature. The persuasion to sin came from an outside source. (Gen 1:31) And God saw every thing that He had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day. Originally everything in all of Creation was good, including the two original humans, but when there is an opportunity presented, and an evil alternative to obeying God suggested by an enemy who is only able to speak through a serpent and not assume human unfallen form, the temptation is too great for Adam and Eve to resist. (Gen 3:6) And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. People are now destined to live as imperfect creatures in a fallen creation into which evil has been introduced and in which the only hope of deliverance, redemption and salvation comes from God the Father, by His Son Jesus Christ, through the Holy Spirit. PART THREE: BELIEF. As long as Adam and Eve believed what God said they remained obedient to Him. (Gen 3:1) Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, has God said, You shall not eat of every tree of the garden?(Gen 3:2) And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:(Gen 3:3) But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, You shall not eat of it, neither shall you touch it, lest you die. This belief was brought into question in a manner that cast doubt upon its truth. (Gen 3:4) And the serpent said unto the woman, You shall not surely die:(Gen 3:5) For God does know that in the day you eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and you shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. The reasons people give for disobeying God's Word are always selfish and reveal an ingratitude to Him inspite of all He does to keep us believing in Him whilst not forcing us to. PART FOUR: THE COMMON DENOMINATOR. History provides us with an account of mankind's economic progress, records the efforts of imperfect people to survive and thrive in an imperfect environment, and reveals the impact that various religions and belief systems have on individuals and nations. But linking each of these three spheres of human interaction is a need for wisdom from above.
Cain and Abel both worked to produce desirable results, but Cain was unwise in his attitude.(Jude 1:11) Adam and Eve were unwise to believe they could eat the forbidden fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil without bringing God's righteous judgement down.(1 Peter 4:17) There are many religions being taught and practised around the world, but anyone who defiles themself by denying that Jesus Christ the living Word of God has come in the flesh (John 1:14), and is the only way to salvation (Acts 4:12), is being unwise.
