Lauri Elliott

Today’s business environment is turbulent, fast, and constantly changing.  It’s a complex environment with many variables woven together that creates business.  Africa is no different.  It has its own set of complexities that dynamically impact the business environment.  My firm, Conceptualee, has started research to help navigate those dynamics more fluidly.  One of the areas of research is the dynamics of social politics.  Our topic, “Social Politics in Business in Africa,” was chosen as a poster session at the Duke Political Networks 2010 conference.

The poster provides a stratospheric view of the evolving dynamic themes on economic development of the South African Development Community based on a historical and political streams.  This is just a starting point for an ongoing dialogue about how to increase economic opportunity even within the constraints of current systems.

You can download the poster Social Politics in Business in Africa (36).  And please, comment and provide insight below.

Just as there is an evolving shift within our society from operating from the physical to mental to spiritual, we will see the same in the economic sphere.  To start, Adam Smith in the “Wealth of Nations” said that the determinants of economic growth, or activity, were the factors of production – natural resources, labor and capital.  Here, there is no recognition of the impact of the mind and spirit on production leading to economic activity, or growth.

Knowledge has been considered a part of the process of economic growth, even by Adam Smith.  However, it has not been until the past 50 or so years that economic theory has focused on knowledge as a factor of production.  Paul Romer, a leading economist in the “New Growth Theory,” stresses that ideas, new and better, transformed into a change in technology contribute to economic growth like natural resources, labor and capital.

The original factors of production are considered scarce, or limited, which means that economic growth is limited at some point.  On other hand, ideas (innovative knowledge), is unlimited.  Human beings can generate unlimited new ideas.  In fact, we are designed in the image of God, so as He is the Creator, we are creators.  The key is to transform these ideas into technological change.  The world calls this the process of innovation.  We, as Christians, call this bringing heaven to earth.

So, knowledge as new and better ideas transformed into technological change leads to economic growth. The result – a world filled with unlimited economic growth potential because our ability to create new and better ideas is unlimited.  This changes our mental model from scarcity to abundance, want to wealth.  The question becomes how do we develop an economic system based on this premise?  This is the challenge of today.

Let’s tie this to the evolving societal shift in our primary mode of operation – physical to mental to spiritual.  We can see as knowledge has become more significant in the mix of economic growth, that organizations see unique intelligence, innovation, etc. key to their competitive advance.  It’s not that the importance of technological change due to innovation has not been recognized.  We understand its contribution to the Industrial Revolution, e.g., the steam engine.  However, the drive in making it prime in positioning a company continues to grow.  The intellect, or mental sphere, is now a central mode of operation in our economic systems.  We even have a phrase coining its importance, the “knowledge economy.”

Let’s take another look at knowledge.  There is knowledge derived from interacting with our physical environment, pulled from our intellect and emerged from our spirits.  Today, we focus on knowledge pulled from our intellect.  In the Vision Society, it will be knowledge emerging for our spirits.

In the Vision Society, we see the best source of knowledge coming from the spirit not the intellect.  We call this revelation knowledge. However, revelation knowledge shapes the development of our intellectual knowledge.  We still learn within and from our interaction with the physical environment and intellectual exercises, but the spirit serves as the navigation system.

As Christians, we understand that revelation knowledge comes from God depositing his knowledge in our human spirits through the Holy Spirit.  Our personal relationship with Jesus Christ is the channel. 

It will be revelation and relationship, which serves as anchors in the new economy.  Revelation leading the process of innovation, as well as the markets operating through relationships, which tie groups of people together closely or loosely.  We see these concepts evolving in areas in the science of networks, social networking, mass innovation, etc.

While we are still grappling with the picture of the new economy and how it will operate, there are many who have pieces of the ultimate picture.  Brett Johnson of The Institute is one of these visionaries.  In a Kingdom Economic Forum in Johannesburg, South Africa last year, he shared a comparison of characteristics between the old economy and the new economy.  The comparison is below.

Old Economy	New Economy
Self-reliance	Dependence on God
Logic	Obedience
Man, nature, self as source	God as source
Gaining, hoarding	Giving, flowing
Finite	Infinite
Greed, self serving	Serving greater good
Fear	Trust, generosity
Selling birthright	Persevering in long-term
Debt	Cash, capital, hard assets
Ownership	Stewardship
Protection	Freedom
Worry	Liberty
Running out	Running over
Storing	Flowing
Accumalting	Giving
Boosting myself	Blessing others
Temporal	Eternal
Scorns source (God)	Remembers source (God)
Elevation	Consecration
Meeting my needs	Serving God’s purpose
Mine to keep	God’s to direct
Control	Releasing
Postured to speak	Positioned to listen
Avarice deified	Avarice denied
Demanding	Grateful
Restlessness	Restful, calm
Striving	Surrender
Hurry, hustle	Rest
Wisdom of man	Wisdom of God
Insatiable	Contented
Calculation	Revelation
Immediate gratification	Delayed gratification
Personal legacy	God’s glory
Do as I please	Accountability
Natural	Supernatural
Lack	Abundance
Need	Wholeness
Own effort	Favor

Published in “Kingdom Economics,” (c) The Institute for Innovation, Integration & Impact, Inc. 2009, by Brett Johnson

Put in the Christian context, Brett compared the evolution from the old economy to the new economy as the Israelites moving from Egypt to the Wilderness to the Promised Land.

As the Vision Society becomes more prominent and its impact on the new economy evolves, we also need to consider the concept and purpose of wealth and money.  Check out my initial thoughts on the role of money in my blog article entitled, “Is Money the Answer to Fuel a New Economic Order?“

A society is “an enduring and cooperating social group whose members have developed organized patterns of relationships through interaction with one another,” as well “a part of a community that is a unit distinguishable by particular aims or standards of living or conduct” as defined by the Merriam-Webster (www.m-w.com) dictionary.  In other words, a society is a group of people in relationship and interacting with one another cooperatively focused on a common purpose.

A Vision Society is one filled with purpose.  The distinct drive of a Vision Society is that its members function in the pursuit of purpose, both individually and corporately.  It has a unique tapestry of people, individually distinct yet woven together for a common future.  It is neither a collective or individualistic society characterized by dependence or independence, but interdependence and interconnectedness.  Each person has a “unique” space, identity and purpose, serving a particular function in the corporate body of a Vision Society.

The interplay between the individual and corporate aspect of a Vision Society is best described by an analogy to the human body.  The human body is a system designed to work as one but with individual parts performing their own function.  A well-performing body means each part is fulfilling its function working in harmony with the other parts.

While I cannot say there is complete harmony, there is a greater harmony in the Vision Society because people understand their “unique” space and their individual identities.  They focus on fulfilling the purpose of their “unique” space, which means they are less likely to focus on what others are doing or not doing and freely working within their space to achieve their unlimited potential.

At the individual level, each person lives a life continually learning, exploring and fulfilling his or her unique purpose on this world. Visions that derive from their purposes serve people, intending to benefit the greater good.  Their lives of purpose operate on selflessness not selfishness.

Societies have evolved over time.  Sociologists suggest that societies have evolved according to their primary manner of subsistence, e.g., hunter/gathers, agrarian.  Subsistence is what is necessary to support life like food and shelter.  If you are familiar with Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, subsistence represents the lowest level of needs – physiological.

I suggest that societies have evolved according to paradigm shifts between driving needs rather than forms of systems maintaining subsistence.  However, concepts of subsistence and wealth are embedded in the continuum.  Subsistence represents the bare essentials for a human body to function not to be fulfilled or satisfied.  Fulfillment includes the entire completion of spirit, mind and body.  If we take a closer look at Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, we see paradigm shifts occurring at each level.  As a person develops or as certain needs are met, he or she first moves from focusing on physiological needs to safety needs.  From there, the focus shifts to belonging to esteem to self-actualization.  Kurt Goldstein described self-actualization as a driving force which leads to people realizing their full potential.  Maslow later added another level called self-transcendence in which an individual, or self, gives to an inner experience of a greater unity of entities.

The human being is composed of spirit, mind and body.  As a person develops upward through Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, he or she shifts the center of his or her mode of operation from body (physical) to mind (soul) to spirit.  Self-transcendence represents operating out of the spirit and self-actualization represents operating out of the mind.  In the eye of the spirit, a person recognizes his or her true purpose, identity and vision connected to the greater society.

 

Human societies have evolved in the same manner in which the primary influence on how people operate shifted from physical to mental to spiritual.  The primary influence on how people operate in the Vision Society is the spiritual dimension.  We are on the cusp between human society operating under the primary influence of the mind to the primary influence of the spirit.

The concept of wealth also evolved as human society evolved.  First, it shifted from living a life of subsistence to one of accumulation of wealth.  The definition of wealth also shifted from monetary or physical assets to intellectual to spiritual.  In today’s society, there is a more holistic approach to wealth, which includes spiritual, social, intellectual, physical, financial, etc.  However, the seat of true wealth is the spirit.  Wealth is an inner-orientation not an outer-orientation.

As mentioned before, human society is on the cusp of entering the Vision Society age.  Who will be the standard bearers for this?  It will be the children of today and tomorrow.  As adults, we will help usher our children into the Vision Society as we learn more and dip into it ourselves.  However, the children will innately and inherently have an affinity and perception for the Vision Society, working through each of their spirits.

The Vision Society will ultimately dominate how our economic, social and political systems and institutions evolve and operate.

As we have seen the world economic, financial, capital and money systems implode over the last year and as it continues to disintegrate (however, much money keeps being pumped into them), I have been pondering what does the “new” or different economic system look like in God’s eyes.  God has given me different revelations, but I want to share one in particular now.  The original purpose for money has been perverted.  Money is thought of in ways and used in ways outside its original purpose.  Therefore, it becomes a tool for oppression and destruction.

 What is Money?

 Practically speaking, money is a “…a medium of exchange, a measure of value, or a means for payment.” (www.m-w.com)  Our world uses money to represent wealth and as key to creating wealth and prosperity, but is money used today for its original purpose?  We can understand if something is working outside of its purpose for which it was designed, it can be misused and lead to problems.  God says the root of all evil is the love of money, or unrighteous mammon.

 God Promises Wealth not Money

First, God does not promise us money, He promises us wealth.  Deuteronomy 8:18 says “But you shall [earnestly] remember the Lord your God, for it is He Who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.” (AMP)  The Hebrew word for “wealth” in this passage is “chayil.”  Chayil means force as in an army.  It is noted that this “force” can come in many forms, e.g., strength, power, riches, means, resources.

Force as defined in a modern dictionary means strength or energy, as well as a cause of motion or change. (www.m-w.com) It would seem to me that the wealth we have the power to receive, in whatever form God chooses, is used to make a difference.  Not something hoarded or stored.  This would align with the Abrahamic covenant of being blessed to be a blessing.

 Second, through God’s wisdom, we inherit this wealth.  Proverbs 8:20-21 (AMP) says:

    ²⁰ I [Wisdom] walk in the way of righteousness (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation), in the midst of the paths of justice,

    ²¹That I may cause those who love me to inherit [true] riches and that I may fill their treasuries. (AMP)

The requirement is that we love God’s Wisdom, which is one in the same with Him.  So, if we love God’s Wisdom, we love Him.  This translates to continual fellowship with Him – a personal, intimate relationship.  When we remain “connected” to Jesus as He says in John 15, we can ask what we will and it will be given to us.  So, we will receive wisdom, if we ask as it also states in James 1.

So, if wealth is what we are promised why do we pray for money?  Even in our churches, we frequently ask God for money.  Our environment and culture has conditioned us to do this as a matter of habit not spiritual insight.  It’s not that God will not give money when it is called for.  However, we should focus our prayers on wealth not money unless led for a specific reason to pray for money in these days.  If we take on this mind set and act on it, I believe we will see what Paul speaks of in 2 Corinthians 9:8-11 (AMP):

      ⁸And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation].

    ⁹As it is written, He [the benevolent person] scatters abroad; He gives to the poor; His deeds of justice and goodness and kindness and benevolence will go on and endure forever!

    ¹⁰And [God] Who provides seed for the sower and bread for eating will also provide and multiply your [resources for] sowing and increase the fruits of your righteousness [which manifests itself in active goodness, kindness, and charity].

    ¹¹Thus you will be enriched in all things and in every way, so that you can be generous, and [your generosity as it is] administered by us will bring forth thanksgiving to God.

Problems with World’s Money System – Another Reason to Pray for Wealth not Money

Speaking practically, there is something wrong with our world’s economic, financial, capital and money systems.  We can see how they are imploding with no sign of slow down at the moment.  I believe God is allowing this to happen because they are not aligned with God’s system of freedom for people.  They, in fact, oppress the majority of the people and nations worldwide and place them in bondage.

Part of the problem is how the current world system perverts the purpose of money, remembering that money is a medium of exchange (currency).  Lawrence Reed of the Foundation for Economic Education (FEE) says:

The “money is wealth” error is the affliction of the currency crank. From John Law to John Maynard Keynes, great populations have hyperinflated themselves to ruin in pursuit of this illusion. Even today we hear cries of “we need more money” as the government’s monetary authorities crank it out at double digit rates.

The good economist will recognize that money creation is no short-cut to wealth. Only the production of valued goods and services in a market which reflects the consumer’s wishes can relieve poverty and promote prosperity.

You can read a full article on the subject here.

As eluded to before, an object’s form is to follow its function.  If the understanding of the function of an object is not correct, it stands to reason that the design, or form, will also be off.  We can see endless patterns of this at an accelerating pace in the world economic system, particularly in the last 40 years or so. I cannot explain the complexities of all of this, but I would like to share a few things concerning the money system to illustrate my point.

Up until the 1970s, the world’s money system operated on the gold standard, meaning when paper money or financial instruments were exchanged, they were backed with actual amounts of gold reserve.  In essence, there was an absolute measure for what something was worth in terms of gold.

Unfortunately, the world moved from the gold standard to floating currency, meaning that capital markets (supply/demand) for our money would determine the value of our currency.  The United States Dollar replaced the gold standard as the prime standard at the time, however, now there is a basket of currency, including the Euro.  So, one day the U.S. Dollar might be worth .75 cents for every Euro or $1.25, depending on the global environment.  This means the value of the money we use for exchange varies from day to day.  This does not represent a system in balance.  God wants an honest scale.  In fact, He says that unjust weights are an abomination to Him.  (Proverbs 11:1)

We don’t think about it, but this is an oppressive system of bondage, in particular for those who have limited or just sufficient means.  For example, if a developing country gets a loan from the World Bank in foreign currency (typically the U.S. Dollar, instead of its local currency) and the foreign currency strengthens against the country’s currency during the period of the loan, the country will be put further into debt.  For example, if South Africa gets a loan in U.S. Dollars at the time the exchange rate between the Rand and U.S. Dollar is 7 to 1 but then the Dollar strengthens and the exchange goes to 10 Rands to 1 U.S. Dollar, South Africa owes more money than the amount of the loan because it is converting Rands to Dollars to make payments.  This creates an oppressive environment for weaker economies and currency when placed against stronger economies and currencies.

Foundations for a New Economic and Monetary System

We can no longer spend time on reflecting what went wrong other than to make sure we do not make the same mistakes going forward. Our full energy should be directed in developing a new economic system that benefits all.  I have a few suggestions to start a dialogue.

First, I think the economic system should be framed from a human ecological perspective.  Simply, people are the foci.  The system and institutions should be built to support and benefit the people.

Second, I think the economic system should be designed on the principle of a commonwealth, meaning that all people benefit from it.  This includes economic equity.  This means all people have the opportunity to tap into various economic opportunities in the system.  It is designed with openness in mind.

Third, as discussed here, we need to think of how to generate wealth not money.  However, we need to define money correctly and use it correctly.  John Tomlinson wrote a book called “Honest Money,” which you can download for free from here.  It will help you think about what money’s place might be in the new economy.

Fourth, we need to expand, or adapt, our understanding of currency.  Remember, currency is a medium of exchange.  Money is a form of currency, not the only one.  Many propose that there are alternative forms of currency like influence and intelligence (information). One alternative economy idea is peer-to-peer (P2P) economies.  In this economy, influence is a primary currency it seems.  Check out the news report on this concept.

I hope that you join the dialogue on this topic.

The world economic system continued to create greater degrees of economic inequity, particularly in developing countries.  As we see today, that system is imploding and requires full structural transformation.  So, what is the way forward?

The African continent is rife with economic inequity and injustice, yet it will serve as a means to set right economic injustice in our lifetime.  This revelation came five years prior to the global economic crisis and set me on a path in Africa to prepare for this time.  You can hear the spiritual insight I gained that prepared me by downloading an audio file.

One of the streams in my life’s work is a family of businesses under the name “Shujaa.”  Shujaa is the Swahili word for champion.  We see champions as those that stand in the gap for others.  In fact, our tag line is “Standing in the Gap for Others …for the Benefit of All.”

One of the things you will discover is that my work derives from my spiritual connection with Jesus Christ as my Savior.  It is through this relationship that I have come to understand who I am and my unique purpose on this earth.  Through this foundation working in my spirit every day, comes the insights and capabilities to make a difference in this world.   So, what you see as business was conceived in my spirit – planted there by the Spirit of God. 

Download a slide outlining Shujaa’s key framework from here.

Download a file explaining how spiritual insight started Shujaa from here.