“Boss Mom, So, you know how you always like to talk about how we should have a berry system rather than money? I have been thinking about that, and I'm wondering: wouldn't that make people with berry bushes millionaires versus the people in the city who are berry-less? Or is it all incentive to grow gardens and other pleasant things like that?”
(Me) “Well, I seriously don't remember saying that but it does indeed sound like something I would say! And, you are correct that it would make people with berry bushes "millionaires" and those without would be "poor." Sad, isn't it? I can't think of anything that would work as money. For Pete's sake, even water has been privatized and monopolized! What is something that everyone has, no one can take away, and would equalize everyone on the planet?”
(Friend) “Let's see, something like carbon monoxide might work, or something disgusting like fingernail clippings. Again, disgusting, but it'd still work. And I believe you said the berry system in '07, the last summer that I worked. Which would be why it sticks out to me and not to you.”
(Another friend) “Blood. Use blood.”
(Me) “Yes, that is something everyone has but then it would bring back bloodletting. And some people have blood borne diseases. Sooooooo, no.”
(1st friend) “I also think blood would be a bad idea. Because then someone would decide that certain types of blood were more valuable than others—plus, what would hospitals do? No one would be willing to donate blood anymore! I don’t see that one going anywhere pleasant.”
I sort of remember making the berry-system comment while munching on a handful of just-picked-still-warm-raspberries, brought to me by the above 1st Friend. But since she reminded me of that moment, I’ve been pondering the “what can we use in place of money” concept. I don’t understand the world economy, but I do understand that it is on shaky ground (or built on sand).
However, there is an economic system that has proven effective, is quite radical, and is built on Rock;
"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Mt 22:36-40.
Jesus taught, modeled, and commanded this radical local and global concept; the economy in the Kingdom of heaven is built on LOVE. Sorry friends, but 1 Corinthians 13 was not originally written for weddings! Paul was writing about how the citizens of God’s Kingdom are to LIVE. Economies that are based upon something that one can possess and hoard only furthers the gap between the haves and have nots. The Kingdom of God is based upon something that comes from God and which alters the character of the recipient so that nothing and everything have the same definition.
The Voice of Love calls, "Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.” Is 55:1-2.
Not money, carbon monoxide, or fingernail clippings--but there was blood involved. The shed blood of Jesus Christ creates a new people and a new government!
Peace.
