We Need Money

The need for money originates with the concept of private property. A key biblical principle is that a person is entitled to control the goods produced by their own labour, or with equipment that they own, or on land that they own, or using ideas that they have thought of, or techniques that they have developed. This means that if someone wants something that has been produced by another person, they must obtain that person’s consent before they can take it. That consent will usually be given in exchange for something else that the purchaser owns.

If the goods are taken without that consent being given, then person taking them is guilty of theft. The sixth commandment states that theft is a crime punishable by civil courts (Ex 20:15).

If there is no concept or convention of private property, there is no need for money. If someone wants something they can just take it, regardless of who has produced it. If everything is in abundance, this might work. However, as scarcity is a fact of life in a fallen world, this is not practical. The outcome would be determined by force. The strong would have plenty and the weak would get nothing. This would result in a different concept of property; one where everything is controlled by the strongest, regardless of who produced it.

A concept of property is really inescapable. The important issue is whose property the law will protect. Biblical property laws protect those who have produced goods and services.

If a system of private property is to function efficiently, there must be a process for the exchange for goods and services. It is not practical for each person to produce everything that they need. Most people will produce more than they need of what they are best at and exchange it for other things that they need. This division of labour allows people to be more productive and the economy to be more efficient. For this to work, there must be a way for people to freely and confidently exchange the goods and services which they produce and own.

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