Abundance
I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. – Jesus, John 10.10b
The earth and its wealth of resources provide more than enough for humanity’s thriving and sustainable futures. God calls us to manifest this reality with what we’ve been given. Tragically, in an economic system dominated by extractive, racist capitalism, the majority of humanity is treated as disposable and the earth’s bounty is treated as infinite. Human rights and dignity are degraded, and our world’s natural balance and resources are cataclysmically depleted and hoarded by a tiny minority. Housing is a human right, and a cornerstone of abundance economies, but too many are without homes, or increasingly at risk of losing theirs. Read about current efforts from UCC congregations responding to this crisis and learn how yours can do the same!
A future of nourishing abundance includes guaranteed food, shelter, warmth, education, health benefits and rest, freedom from abuse and harassment, and aggressive redress for when these rights are denied. When humanity is more fully thriving, the earth itself breathes easier because we are collectively more powerful to stop profiteering off that which is finite.
From the prophets of old to the alarm bells of the present, righteous people are rightly angry and distraught at economic exploitation and oppression. Good news! We have solutions to address economic injustice. Our provisions are sacred, and cause for joyful, humble gratitude. Each embodied soul is inherently, equally beloved and lovable. Let us act accordingly, and fill the JAR of God’s economic justice.
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To move towards economies of abundance, we must start by abolishing existing “slave economies” – The UCC’s Minister for Economic Justice recently weighed in on a few examples you can read here: “Seventeen Dollars and Seventy-Four Cents”
Since there will never cease to be some in need on the earth, I therefore command you, ‘Open your hand to the poor and needy neighbor in your land.’ – Deuteronomy 15.11 Woe to those who make iniquitous decrees, who write oppressive statues, to turn aside the needy from justice and to rob the poor of my people of their right, to make widows their spoil and to plunder orphans! What will you do on the day of punishment, in that calamity that will come…? – Isaiah 10.1-3a In a just economy, while poverty is constantly appearing, it is also constantly being eliminated. No one lives in persistent poverty. There is no one in need. Poverty is eradicated. God’s intention for the use of God’s resources – the fullness of life for all people and creatures – is fulfilled. The economy achieves its purpose of providing the material resources people need. – Rev. Dr. Edith Rassell
