Ujamaa: Build, Settle, Produce

Principle 4

Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics):To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together.

This is truly a biblical concept.  If there is one thing that our people must learn is how to manage our money and build businesses.  We must together, do better at educating our people on investing, budgeting, smart buying, entrepreneurship, management, ownership, etc.  We consume the most out of any other racial group but own the least.  God wants us as Christians to be the head and not the tail.  Not only that it is more blessed to give than to receive.  Our focus should be on what we can give back to our society and the future.  What kind of legacy will each us leave behind for the next generation.  If this had been our way of thinking, we may have progressed faster.  I know many systematic factors have played into our decline but let’s take it back by educating ourselves in the area of cooperative economics. 

But ultimately how we manage money and how we build to profit economically may have some serious spiritual ramifications.  We believe that God is the one that gives us our jobs and that all the money belongs to Him.  Since that is the case, we must be very intentional about managing what He has given us and using it to His name honor and glory.  Another huge concept in economy is about keeping your hand open.  Meaning that you can’t build wealth with a closed fist, so money must flow out if money is going to come in.  We must learn to be faithful investors in our local businesses, churches, schools, charities, children, and yes even our Roth IRA’s!  

What I find interesting is what God tells the Israelites who had just been captured and exiled to Babylon.

"Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce.” Jer 29:5

In other words, you were brought here has slaves but I still want you to proposer!  There is no excuse, I know this isn’t your homeland but I want you to act like it is.  The reason is that God can work all things for our good if we let Him.  Ultimately the Israelites knew that their hope was in God’s promise to deliver them back to Jerusalem.  This hope did not hinder them from investing in a prosperous earthy future if they kept the heavenly future in the forefront of their minds! So my people, build, settle, produce…but also Hope!