Times are tough. Most of us have enough to worry about looking after ourselves day to day – but politicians have other pressures. They face difficult national and international issues, and their decisions affect every one of us, both in the short term and the long term.
On Wednesday the British Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves delivered her annual budget statement. She had to balance ordinary people’s concerns about short term issues such as the cost of living, with long term issues such as the country’s economic position and the struggle with the environmental crisis.
There is a dichotomy. It’s often hard for us to accept that measures designed for long-term benefits to the country justify the ‘sacrifices’ we have to make.
Similar issues faced COP30, the UN Climate Change Conference, earlier this month. There was a massive gulf between the oil-producing countries who were concerned about their economies, and much of the wider world who are concerned about global warming.
Both the budget and COP30 met with dissatisfaction from many. A major problem is that different people have different priorities: this mitigates against agreement and consensus.
What can we do? What should we do?
The Bible is quite clear about the long term. The earth will not be destroyed, but transformed (Psalm 104:5; Isaiah 45:18, 35:1-10). Jesus will reign over the Kingdom of God. No criticisms of selfishness or cowardice will be levelled at him. And nothing will be able to thwart him.
So should we ignore the warnings and just focus on our short term needs? That would surely be irresponsible. God has given us the earth to live on and we have a duty to look after it as much as we can. We should not ‘trash’ it simply because we know that God will sort it out later.
In that case, should Christians be involved in campaigning and agitating about long term issues such as the environmental crisis?
Jesus’ instructions are unequivocal.
“Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:31-33).
This might not be easy, but the Christian’s priority is the Kingdom of God.
Jesus said similar things when answering a question about which is the most important commandment:
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-39).
Jesus always said that God and His ways must come first and foremost. Other people are important, but come second.
When asked about paying taxes to the Romans he said:
“Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21).
In other words, comply with the law unless it contravenes the principles of God.
The apostles repeated this message, urging Christian believers to obey the law, to respect their leaders and submit to the authorities (which at that time was the oppressive Roman empire) (1 Peter 2:13-18). They never, ever, made political statements or advocated political activity. Serving God and preaching the Gospel took priority for them over social justice. They never taught that the way to improve the world was via human government. They did not criticize the policies of the Romans. And they never tried to synthesize the message of Jesus with the philosophies of their day.
Jesus said that his kingdom was not like the kingdoms of this world. So his followers would not fight. They would be different (John 18:36). The faithful are described as being ‘strangers and exiles on the earth’, desiring a ‘heavenly country’ (Hebrews 11:13-16).
So what should be the Christian attitude to the pressing issues facing the world? The Christian should not be self-righteous, complacent, selfish, unsympathetic or uncharitable. But they must try to get the right priorities as taught by Jesus.
We should try to serve God. We should look after the planet as much as we can, and help other people as much as we can. If we have resources then we should help those poorer than ourselves. That is what the apostles taught (1 Corinthians 16:1-3). But the focus of our lives should be the future Kingdom of God; preparing ourselves for that and telling other people about it.
Life is tough for many people, but we need to get our priorities right. These decisions we make will have implications greater than any budget or climate conference. They will determine our eternal well-being.
Anna Hart
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