(Continued): In the previous section, I tried to graciously un-align myself, as an economist, from the scarcity, choice and cost paradigm being the unquestioned premise for our economic traditions. I have become convinced that the foundation of our economic thinking and planning should not be based on the perspective of scarcity, choice, and cost.
For the well-being and productivity of our culture and global community, it would seem to be a much wiser option to base our economic structure on a profoundly more optimistic and productive view: Abundance, Choice, and Accomplishment.
Of course, the whole idea of the discipline of economics will always be to help us make better choices in life. We would still need to make choices, since life will always be filled with alternatives. We’d still need to figure out what to produce from our resources and who would produce and distribute the resulting goods and services. We would still need to determine how and for whom the goods and services should be produced. Each of those aspects would require our creativity, our wills, and our ability to choose. What would change, however, is the very basis of our decisions – the reality of abundance as opposed to scarcity.
As previously stated, I believe the doctrine of scarcity promotes bondage. The doctrine of abundance promotes freedom.
It took many years and many miles to make me aware of the startling differences between the philosophies of scarcity and abundance. Concepts set into motion consequences, and those consequences are ultimately measurable. (I share more details of my journey of transition from scarcity to abundance in my published book: “Better Off – How America Got Wealthy & You Can Too!” 2016, Library of Congress #2016902189)
The idea of the economic paradigm of Abundance, Choice and Cost made a lot of sense to me from an academic standpoint. It also proved valid from a psychological perspective. Likewise, it proved advantageous from the bottom-line vantage points of historic culture and pragmatic business principles.
I must, however, admit that perhaps the most convincing persuasion for me to switch from the scarcity approach to an abundance paradigm was nothing less than a spiritual persuasion. I decided to do a search of the biblical scriptures and see what they had to say about the issue.
Here is a sampling of what I discovered:
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:19, NIV)
Ask, and you will be given what you ask for. Seek and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks, receives. Anyone who seeks, finds. If only you will knock, the door will open. (Matt. 7:7,8, TLB)
The Lord will give you an abundance of good things in the land, just as he promised: many children, many cattle, and abundant crops. He will bless everything you do; and you shall lend to many nations, but not borrow from them. (Deut. 28:11-13, TLB)
Those who search for me shall surely find me. Unending riches, honor, justice and righteousness are mine to distribute. My gifts are better than the purest gold or silver! My paths are those of justice and right. Those who love and follow me are indeed wealthy. I fill their treasuries. (Prov. 8:17-21, TLB)
All mankind scratches for its daily bread, but your heavenly father knows your needs. He will always give you all you need from day to day if you will make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. (Luke 12:30-31, TLB)
For God, who gives seed to the farmer to plant, and later on, good crops to harvest and eat, will give you more and more seed to plant and will make it grow so that you can give away more and more fruit from you harvest, (2 Corinth. 10:10-11, TLB)
Now glory be to God who by his mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of – infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes. (Eph. 3:20, TLB)
Then this city will bring me renown, joy, praise and honor before all nations on earth that hear of all the good things I do for it; and they will be in awe and will tremble at the abundant prosperity and peace I provide for it. (Jer. 33:9, NIV)
The net result of scarcity is poverty – the net result of poverty is dependency – dependency upon those malevolent folks who would endeavor to manipulate the masses of people and the established wealth of this world for causes and enterprises that do not include the powerful beauty of this thing called “Goodness.”
Let’s join together and throw off the fetters of scarcity and redistribution that inevitably lead to poverty – and let’s embrace a new principle of liberty and virtue that lead to a life of opportunity and unfathomable abundance: “Abundance, Choice and Accomplishment.”
I BELIEVE . . . IN GOODNESS!