Something Davey wrote inspired a little thought I wanted to share here.
I get easily frustrated with discussions/arguments about economic or political issues. Truth is, I hate both topics with a passion. Most such discussions end with me feeling a little sick. This may be different for the rest of you, but I find them to be terribly abstract and hypothetical. I’m fighting about something that I really don’t care about, and yet I fight anyway, which is why I generally want to vomit afterwards.
Davey mentioned three different economic thinkers (von Mises, Friedman, and Hayek). I don’t have any problem with how he disagreed with them; however, it is interesting that these disagreements always revolve around books. It’s even more interesting when I hear what Davey, Chris, and others want to see economically speaking (care for the poor, end of third world oppression). Ironic, even. Because the people I grew up with (many of them free market, capitalist proponents) achieved these ends fantastically.
Truth be told, the most giving person I’ve ever known never cared for these discussions. Or books about these things. Sure, his understanding was simple, but it was shaped by a simple principle that I’m sure he picked up from his Mennonite upbringing: “Love thy neighbour.”
Davey is fond of telling me that I compartmentalize too much. And that may be true. I admit it. But I also know from experience that I don’t need to study economics to be responsible with my money or loving to my neighbors. In fact, given my frustrations, it’s better if I avoid these discussions and focus on my beloved stories, or hockey, or whatever else God puts in front of me. Because right now, economics isn’t something I’ve been called to study, and (as Davey knows) I’ll be sure to get it on the sly anyway.
This is not finger pointing. If I’m accusing anyone, I’m accusing myself and admitting my weakness. I can’t argue on these topics responsibly or fairly, so it’s better for me not to. God’s given me other insights, other loves, other directions, so I’ll be content not to know very much about economics and do my best to love my neighbor economically with a poverty of such knowledge. Because I know it can be done.