— Tim Cantrell
The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.
What a stark contrast between the two G20s: November 2025’s G20 here in Johannesburg prioritised climate change and redistribution of wealth to reduce inequality, which has never worked. All this is driven by the socialistic, flawed philosophy of globalism.
2026’s G20 will focus on “economic prosperity by limiting regulatory burdens, unlocking affordable and secure energy supply chains, and pioneering new technologies and innovations” – prioritising wealth creation instead of redistribution. Which approach will prove more helpful to the poor?
Consider the Poor
There is no question that Christians should care deeply about poverty: “Blessed is he who considers the poor” (Ps. 41:1). “The only thing they asked us to do was to remember the poor, the very thing which I was eager to do”, said Paul (Gal. 2:10). Just because Jesus said, “the poor you will always have with you”, doesn’t mean we don’t care about our fellow image-bearers who are impoverished and suffering. God forbid!
But when it comes to government policies and economic priorities, what actually alleviates poverty long-term? How can we think biblically about economics in our African nations? How should we pray for our rulers (1 Tim. 2:2), and for which kinds of political systems should we vote? Christians who are serious about true compassion, liberty and justice for all must defend our economic freedoms based on a biblical view of wealth, poverty, and the role of government.
Superior Solutions
The superiority of a free market system over all forms of socialism has been proven time and again. Instead of coercive redistribution of wealth (i.e., theft), wealth creation through a free-market system, guided by the biblical principles of stewardship and productivity, is the most effective and compassionate way to alleviate poverty.
Here are five basic reasons why a free-market economy is most biblical and best, not a state-controlled economy.
The Big Five of Biblical Economics
(1) Private Property Rights – It’s the God-given right and responsibility of individuals, families, churches, and businesses to own, use, improve, and transfer property without coercive state interference. This is essential because stewardship requires ownership; otherwise, no one has the incentive or authority to care for resources productively or protect them from abuse. This principle is rooted in God’s 8th and 10th Commandments, which both assume the right to private ownership (Exod. 20:15,17). The New Testament also reaffirms private property (Acts 4:37; 5:4).
One of the most proven ways for corrupt governments to overthrow property rights is through the Trojan Horse of land redistribution, all in the name of ‘redressing past injustices’, while actually perpetuating more injustice.
(2) Entrepreneurship – This is the freedom and opportunity for individuals to apply creativity, skill, and risk-taking to produce goods and services that meet real human needs. This is because, as God’s image-bearers, we are wired in His likeness to be culture-creators, to exercise dominion, take initiative, and use all kinds of creativity to unleash the productive potential God placed in people and in creation (Gen. 1:26-31; 2:15).
(3) Free Trade – This is the voluntary exchange of goods and services between people and nations, guided by mutual benefit rather than state control. Free exchange respects human dignity, decentralises economic decisions, uses dispersed knowledge through prices, and increases efficiency, wealth, and cooperation. Abraham bought the cave of Machpelah freely and at a negotiated price (Gen. 23). Proverbs commends honest trade (11:1; 16:11; 28:19).
(4) Limited Government – Those two words are the very essence of a Christian view of the state, in contrast to the prevailing statism (state-worship) of our day. Every land must have a civil authority restrained by law to its God-ordained functions: protecting life, property, contract, and justice, not managing or directing the economy (Rom 13:1-7; 1 Pet. 2:13-14).
When government expands beyond its moral boundaries, it undermines liberty, suppresses creativity, misallocates resources, and becomes a source of poverty rather than prosperity. This was precisely what God warned Israel about when they begged for a king like the other nations (1 Sam. 8:10-18). Jesus commanded, “Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s”, showing that government has a limited, prescribed, God-ordained realm over which it must not cross; Caesar is not God (Mk. 12:17).
(5) Rule of Law – This means a predictable system of just, impartial laws applied equally to all people, rulers and citizens alike, rich and poor, regardless of ethnicity, ensuring accountability, stability, and protection of rights: “There shall be one law for you” (Lev. 24:22; Lev. 19:15).
As King David had to learn from the prophet Nathan’s bold rebuke, not even the king is above the law (2 Sam. 12; Deut. 17:14-20). This is crucial because it provides the security and trust needed for investment, work, contracts, and long-term economic growth; without it, people cannot steward resources confidently (cf. again biblical role of state in Rom. 13 and 1 Pet. 2).
No society in history has escaped poverty or found prosperity without all five of these essentials: private property, entrepreneurship, free trade, limited government, and rule of law. Each is rooted in biblical truth about human nature, responsibility, justice, and stewardship, and confirmed by centuries of historical evidence. As a leading South African economist recently stated, “Put simply, those countries that have the freest markets have the most prosperous people.”
We reject the Creator’s good design at our own peril. May God awaken His Church here in Africa to return to the proven wisdom of His Word. May He raise up brave leaders and righteous voices in every sector of society to defend a free market that can best alleviate poverty and allow humanity to flourish for His glory.