The Household Economy
Thoughts on what make a place a home
This is a reflection on a podcast I listened to by C.R. Wiley on the Household and the War for the Cosmos. I hope that you find this short article thought-provoking and informative. Let me know what you think and any feedback is welcomed! Let us strive to be better, together. Thanks for taking the time to read this week’s post!
The word Economy derives its meaning from two Greek words. The first is oikos meaning “Household” and the second is nomos meaning “law.” So, the general meaning of the word can be the Law of the Household. This encapsulates the whole meaning of the original word Economy. This speaks of the idea that households run and should be run in a certain way. They are a microcosm of a higher order, the whole order of the Cosmos. God has established the Cosmos and therefore is overall all other cosmoses that fall under the big C cosmos.
Another perspective, keeping in view the economic view of the household, is adding in other households. This creates several economies interacting with each other. This can be very profound when all households are functioning within the order that God has set down for us to follow. God has declared the rules and established the households.
This is a call to action to run our households as God has prescribed. We must use all of our collective faculties to discern how to run our household economies properly. Modern understanding of the household has created a misconception that homes are mainly for leisure and rest. While a historic understanding demonstrates an “all of life” approach. Families worked together and rested together. Parents and their children cooperated in making a productive enterprise in which the household, or family, becomes successful. The intergenerational concept is beneficial because it creates a strong family identity. Since the whole house is working towards a common goal, in work, play, and rest, it creates a holistic approach to life. Strong family identities can withstand hardships within and without the household.
Households that share similar family identities can share in community with one another, thus establishing a public culture. A good example of this is the Church. Families who profess the same faith join together under a common creed and publicly worship God. They share the same values and beliefs which are manifested in similar actions. These strong family ties work together to support each other in times of need, think of Acts where everyone was sharing what they had. Establishing a culture that derives its origins from the family is important because the family derives its culture from God.
The family was first established by God and is ordered in the way that he has prescribed. The natural outworking of a family is that it grows and splits into more families while still maintaining the same family identity. This builds into a natural community that has a common goal and a shared vision. Though uncommon in today’s culture I believe that it is a valuable and positive perspective to have and to strive for. In the aftermath of the pandemic, we can see the fallout of loose family ties and the result of an individualistic culture. While relationships are digitally maintained through social media, it is hard to replicate close familial in-person interactions. I think this is a good reason for families working to build and keep good and regular relations with each other.
Overall, the household is a place of productivity, rest, and a base for many other operations. Families can work together for an established common goal as well as provide a place of rest and security for others who do not have that. I was a recipient of this sort of family in high school. Being a child of divorce, I did not have a strong family identity nor was my home in a position to create a positive household economy. I was blessed that my best friend at the time had a strong family identity and they allowed me to come over all the time. I was able, in a way, to be integrated into their family. Having solid relationships and being exposed to positive Christian family relationships is necessary and beneficial for every individual. Let us strive to be models of Christian families for our neighbors and also to be like the early Christians who were willing to meet any need of their brothers and sisters in Christ.
I encourage everyone to take some time this week and read/listen to some of C.R. Wiley’s work! He is an easy listen and provides good information!