For years now, warnings of economic collapse, rapidly escalating wars, widening wealth inequality, burgeoning sovereign debt, and irreversible climate change have pushed many to wonder how we can overcome such global catastrophes. Many are now calling for a “Great Reset” to reinvent and refocus the world’s priorities before it’s too late.
Yet, critics question whether the so-called “Great Reset” will actually benefit the masses or simply transfer power to a cabal of global elites, protected under the banner of leadership. The Living Church of God reviews that while there’s no denying that something must give for humanity to survive the next few decades, it’s essential to remember God’s role in whatever reset takes place.
The Growing Disparity Between Rich and Poor
A key driving force behind the call for a Great Reset is the growing disparity between rich and poor. The world’s wealthiest 1% now hold more than half of the planet’s wealth, while the bottom 50% control just 1%. The combination of rapidly escalating housing costs, stagnant wages, and cuts to social safety nets has left many feeling hopeless and angry.
This growing disparity is not just a problem in the United States, though; it is a global phenomenon. In 2018, Oxfam estimated that 26 people owned as much wealth as the bottom 3.8 billion people on the planet and, by 2019, that number had shrunk to just 22 people.
The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated these trends, with the world’s billionaires increasing their wealth by $3 trillion during the first six months of the pandemic alone. Clearly, the current system is not working for the majority of people on the planet. A reset is needed to ensure that the world’s resources are distributed more fairly and that everyone has a chance to prosper.
Vocal Advocates for a Reset Reside in Positions of Power
Perhaps ironically, though, the most vocal advocates for a transition into a new chapter for humanity are those at the top. For example, Claus Schwab of the World Economic Forum has made it the Forum’s mission to push the world toward a Fourth Industrial Revolution.
His calls for action have been echoed by the likes of King Charles III (personally worth $600 million), António Guterres (head of the United Nations), and Kristalina Georgieva (head of the IMF). This has led many critics to question whether the Great Reset will drive equality or redistribute power and wealth to those who already benefit from the current system.
The Role of God in the Great Reset
While the call for a Great Reset is coming from a variety of secular sources, it’s important to remember that God is ultimately in control of history. He is the one who “makes the world and its inhabitants,” and “gives to all mankind their daily bread” (Psalm 115:3, 14). Let us remember that He is “partial to the poor and needy” and “defends the cause of the oppressed” (Psalm 140:12).
Therefore, any reset that takes place must be done in accordance with God’s will if it is to be successful. The Bible makes it clear that the current economic system is not in line with God’s will, but any attempt to create a more just and equitable world without God will ultimately fail.
The Final Word
The book of James warns that the rich will be judged for their greed and exploitation of the poor (James 5:1-6). This is in contrast to the current world where the rich get richer while the poor get poorer. A reset is needed to correct this imbalance and create a more just world, but it must be in line with God’s teaching.
