The term “biblical” is tague and overused. But, for my context here I’m using it as a quick an easy way to say “does it line up with what the bible teaches as a whole”. I know I’m only throwing in one passage here, so please put more in the comments for further context. But, here is my reading from today, and it got me thinking:
Ecclesiastes 11:1-6
1 Ship your grain across the sea; after many days you may receive a return. 2 Invest in seven ventures, yes, in eight; you do not know what disaster may come upon the land. 3 If clouds are full of water, they pour rain on the earth. Whether a tree falls to the south or to the north, in the place where it falls, there it will lie. 4 Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap. 5 As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things. 6 Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well
There is a lot here that I think you could use to support a full bitcoin standard life styles, but there is also the idea that we don’t know what may come, and it is not wise to “put all your eggs in one basket”. So, I’m not asking for reasons to go full bitcoin, but is it wise to go full bitcoin? and if so, how could you reconcile it with this passage. just a fun thought experiment.
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Thank you for the detailed reply. I agree with a lot you said, and appreciate the response. I like to think Jesus would have like bitcoin too, but considering he was a 1st century itinerant jewish man living under roman ruled territory, it's hard to tell. And he did say "give to Caesar what is Caesar's in regard to money", so I wonder what he would have said about bitcoin. Whose inscription is on it?! Now that would be a fun thought experiment.
One thing to note though is Jesus wasn't very much of a money guy anyways (makes sense) and the bible never really gets into money subjects from almost any lense.
I agree that Jesus wasn't a "money guy" in the sense that he wasn't in a business or trade. But, the Bible definitely has a lot of to say about money. Here is a cheesy site that has a long list: https://dailyverses.net/money. Have a look if you are interested and let me know what you think.
Also, we should note, @jimmysong has his book Thank God for Bitcoin, where he make the Christian case for Bitcoin. I should probably read it.
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yeah, becoming a “commentator” seems like a tough gig. there are only so many things to say about something, and you gotta make money doing talks and/or selling books. it would be hard to stay fresh and not sound like you’re shilling. but, Jimmy seems like a cool guy with a lot of real world dev skills. so i’m not saying he is that. just that the “commentator/podcast guest” role must be exhausting.
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As I've said before, the old edicts are to sell everything a person has and to "follow Messiah". If whatever you are doing with bitcoin is holding that back or is a substitute form of worship, then it is unbiblical.
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The question can be posed to investments and passive income as a whole.
I do not think these things are "unbiblical," unchristian, or inadvisable as a rule, but I would point to what is being done with the time and effort that is freed. Are you sipping mai tais on a beach with naked freaks? Or are you using those hands to build someone's shelter, using your investment prowess to reinvest back into a community?
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yeah the passage is about work, money, investments, the whole shabang. i think in ancient times it was all just considered an “endeavor”, which i kind of like in terms of thinking about work and money.
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I think if your pursuit of bitcoin is out of perspective and ruling your life, then it is a problem (as with idolatry).