I remember a few presidential elections ago one of the campaign themes was, “It’s the economy stupid.”  This battle cry resounded with many party faithful, but in my opinion it is a very narrowminded approach to think that the primary issues of life revolve around money.

I’m not an economist and believe me, there is plenty I don’t understand when it comes to our country’s economic policies. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is a set of indicators that measure a country’s wealth and their supposed standard of living. GDP measures the total market value of all final goods and services produced in an economy over a given time.

Another simple formula for measuring is, GDP = private consumption + gross private investment + government investment + government spending + (exports – imports). If GDP increases the economy is growing and so is our standard of living. If GDP declines, it means the economy is contracting and could lead to higher unemployment and possibly a recession. This is the tool nearly all countries use to measure their wealth.

This may be good for economics, but it doesn’t measure a country’s “true wealth” its moral, spiritual or social condition. It also judges people and their contribution to society in a skewed manner. If you are producing, spending, and consuming then you are helping the economy and contributing to the wealth of the nation. But if you aren’t producing goods or services, you’re hurting the economy.

Based on this model, if you work as a volunteer at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter, are part of the Big Brother, Big Sister organization, are a teacher investing your life in educating our nation’s children, or a stay at home mom who raises and invests in her children you are just consuming resources and are a drain on the economy!  How sad is that? This is what happens when economic indicators and money becomes our primary measuring stick, and we gauge or determine a person’s value based on whether they contribute to GDP.

What if you want to embrace minimalism, volunteer at a church, charity, or non-profit organization, care for the environment, consume less? Well, you aren’t good for the economy.  If you produce and consume, you’re a good citizen. If you conserve, purchase less, or volunteer your services you are a drain on society.

A country can be materially rich but morally poor, fully employed but emotionally broke. Its citizens can have money in the bank but be spiritually bankrupt. I get it, we have jobs to do and bills to pay, families to support and we are part of the economy, but I think there are other ways to measure the wealth of a nation besides what is produced and consumed.

I prefer God’s GDP (God’s Designed Purposes) His plan is a balance between working and resting. It requires dependence on Him and not our possessions or financial portfolio. Let’s not judge or gauge a person’s contribution or value to society based on what they produce or goods they purchase.  I believe one of the main reasons that  keeping a sabbath day is so good for us and liberating is it not only reminds us that God made it all in the first place but it’s a day when we can take a break, rest, and not have to worry about producing, consuming, or spending anything, and simply enjoy each other, His creation and His presence.

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