One of the problems that economics deals with is how to maximize the usage of limited resources to produce the most valuable product. What does it take to maximize the usage of resources to produce the most valuable product? Why are certain countries more productive than others? Why is the per capital income of some countries several times comparing with others? What are the factors that make some countries developed, some developing and some poor?
The key factors are knowledge and technology. As we all know, a country with knowledge and technology is the king. Countries that do not have knowledge and technology can only working for them or be exploited. The more sophisticated technology a country have, the more it can maximize its productivity and reap the greatest rewards. Whether it is industrial production or the professional services, those who have knowledge and technology can maximize production capacity and maximize economic efficiency.
Take an example:
Country A has natural resources, but it does not have the knowledge and technology to make it into a valuable final product, , so it can only export its natural resources to obtain an income.
Country B has natural resources and limited technology to make it into half produst. Since it does not have the advance industrial technology, it can only export semi-productions for economic gain.
Country C does not have natural resources, but it does have high level industrial technology and is able to manufacture all kinds of machinery and automobiles and export them all over the world. In addition, they provide financial services and business consultation services. They import raw materials from country A and B and export machinery and automobiles back to them, earning a huge trade differences.
So what do you think? which country has the highest economic capacity? Which country has the richest economy?
The answer is obvious. The country that has the knowledge and the technology is able to maximize capacity and bring the most economic benefits. Simply put, Whoever has the ability to take a piece of raw material and sequentially process it into an advance consumer product is the winner.
Let me ask you a question: do you make more money selling raw materials, or selling advance high-tech products?
So now let us go back to church environment. Can these economic principles be applied to the church? Can economic principles lead to more progress and growth in the church?
I believe the same principles can be applied to the church. The church can only grow by maximising the productivity of its members. However, how can we increase the productivity of our members? There is only one answer, and that is through teaching and training. The more the church focuses on teaching and training, the higher the productivity, and the less the church focuses on teaching and training, the lower the productivity.
If our country is to progress and prosper, it must increase its intellectual and technological capacity. Not just the knowledge and technology of a few, but the knowledge and technology of the whole nation. Then foreign investors will be willing to come and invest in our country. I think when a company is considering whether or not to set up a factory in our country, the first factor they consider is whether we have the relevant talents to support their production here. If we do not have the relevant talents, and if we do not have the support of the upstream and downstream industries, then even if there are tax incentives or business packages, they will not come to our country to set up factories. Quite simply, would you go to Laos to set up a high-tech electronics factory?
Similarly, how can a church grow if it does not have the teaching and training to make the members grow in spirituality?
Here we can conclude that without knowledge and technology, a country’s economy cannot grow. In the same way, the church cannot grow without teaching and training, and neither can the ministry.
In order for the church to grow, we must improve the spirituality of the members as a whole, especially in these four areas. The first is their total commitment to God. Second is their willingness to serve with a servant attitude. The third is their willingness to actively involve in evangelism. The fourth is their ability to have Christ-like character.
When we empower all members in these four areas, we can increase the productivity of the church and lead more people to believe in Jesus.