KFLCC Kingdom Economics

F INANCIAL S ECURITY IN THE L AST D AYS

the abundance of the land (Num. 13:23). Pomegranate and fig trees also covered the land. Scattered throughout the towns and cities were carpenters, or stone masons. The majority of buildings constructed in the time of Christ were made from either natural stones stacked upon one another and cemented in place, or from limestone hand cut in quarries. Other minor jobs included net mending, pottery making, salt mining, and even cooking. Despite the fact that our global society is linked by high technology, the industries listed above are still part of the income base for many individuals in nations around the world, especially in smaller towns and villages scattered throughout Mexico, Europe, Asia and third world nations. Fishing, shipping and trade, farming, vineyards and fruit trees, grain fields, and carpentry are all income-producing jobs in America. Thus, beyond the industries that deal with technological breakthroughs, the basic needs of people—food, shelter and clothes —remain the same. T ROUBLES T HAT A FFECTED THE E CONOMY In the New Testament era, six negative circumstances impacted the various industries, costing jobs and resulting in a great loss of income. Droughts and famines would destroy an entire harvest, especially wheat and barley, which were two of the staple foods for the entire nation. Occasionally pestilence, such as locusts and plagues, would strike the land and destroy young plants and certain food supplies. The region was not prone to flooding, as the only main water source for the nation was the Jordan River. However, extreme rain would cause difficulties, just as floods today can destroy property and crops. Warring armies from surrounding nations would seize towns and cities, often cutting off the food and water supply to the inhabitants, and thus causing starvation. Prior to the destruction of Jerusalem, the Romans laid siege on the city and the inhabitants were unable to leave the city or receive any food for months. At times, mobs would attack a village or a home and take food or any possession they desired from the homeowner. During times of famine, roving bands of men would break into houses searching for food that might be hidden in a home. These mobs would rob, plunder, steal, rape, and at times burn down the home or the town once they completed their raids.

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