Kingdom Economics
Building God's Economy Through Worker Cooperatives
What is a Worker Cooperative?
A worker cooperative is a business that is owned and democratically controlled by its worker-owners. Instead of a traditional corporate structure where outside shareholders profit from workers' labor, cooperatives ensure that those who do the work also own the business and share in its success.
Corporate vs Cooperative: The Fundamental Difference
Traditional Corporate Model
- Profits go to shareholders who don't work
- Workers have no voice in decisions
- CEO makes 300x average worker salary
- Layoffs to increase stock prices
- Wealth concentrates at the top
Worker Cooperative Model
- Profits shared among worker-owners
- Democratic workplace governance
- Fair wage ratios (typically 3:1 to 6:1)
- Job security and community focus
- Wealth shared among workers
Key Cooperative Principles:
- Worker Ownership: Employees are the shareholders
- Democratic Control: One worker, one vote
- Shared Profits: Based on labor contribution, not capital
- Mutual Support: Success benefits everyone
Mondragon: The Proof It Works
In the Basque region of Spain, what started as 5 workers and a Catholic priest in 1956 has become the world's largest worker cooperative federation - proving that biblical economics can work at massive scale.
The Complete Mondragon Ecosystem
Caja Laboral Bank
Finances new cooperatives when traditional banks won't. Provides emergency support during economic downturns. Reinvests profits back into worker-owned businesses.
University of Mondragón
Trains future cooperative leaders and managers. Develops new technologies for member companies. Creates research that benefits the entire cooperative network.
Eroski Retail Chain
Second-largest supermarket chain in Spain. Owned by both workers AND consumers. Competes successfully against multinational corporations.
Manufacturing Companies
Automotive parts, appliances, industrial equipment. Export globally while maintaining cooperative values. Weathered 2008 financial crisis better than traditional corporations.
"By their fruits ye shall know them."
- Matthew 7:20 (KJV)Mondragon's fruits are undeniable: Higher job security, better wages, stronger communities, and economic resilience that has lasted nearly 70 years. This isn't theory - it's proven reality.
Why Cooperatives Align with Jesus's Teachings
"Love Thy Neighbor as Thyself" (Matthew 22:39 KJV)
Corporate Model
Maximize profit by paying neighbors as little as possible while enriching distant shareholders.
Cooperative Model
Share success with neighbor-workers as equal owners. Their prosperity is your prosperity.
"The Labourer is Worthy of His Hire" (Luke 10:7 KJV)
Corporate Model
Pay workers minimum wage while executives receive millions. Labor is treated as a cost to minimize.
Cooperative Model
Fair wage ratios and profit sharing for all who contribute labor. Work is valued and rewarded.
"Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them" (Matthew 7:12 KJV)
Corporate Model
Treat workers as disposable costs to be minimized for shareholder benefit.
Cooperative Model
Treat workers as valued owners with voice, equity, and respect.
"Go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me."
- Matthew 19:21 (KJV)Jesus consistently opposed wealth hoarding and exploitation. He challenged systems that enriched the few while impoverishing the many. Worker cooperatives embody His economic vision.
The Acts Model Was a Cooperative
"And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need."
- Acts 2:44-45 (KJV)"And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common."
- Acts 4:32 (KJV)The First Christians Practiced:
- Shared Ownership: "had all things common"
- Democratic Decision-Making: "were together" and "of one heart and of one soul"
- Profit Sharing: "parted them to all men, as every man had need"
- No Exploitation: "neither said any of them that ought...was his own"
This is the original biblical model for economics. Worker cooperatives aren't a modern invention - they're a return to apostolic principles that the first Christians lived by.
The Jesus Revolution Plan: Mondragon + Gospel
We're not just talking about cooperatives - we're building them. Our blueprint combines Mondragon's proven success with Jesus's teachings to create an ecosystem that transforms lives and communities.
Phase 1: "Something To Believe In" Clothing Co-op
- Target homeless and underemployed workers
- "Jesus Is Our King" faith-based apparel line
- Worker ownership from day one - no traditional employment
- Profits shared among all worker-owners
Phase 2: Jesus Revolution Cooperative Bank
- Finance new worker-owned businesses
- Serve those rejected by traditional banks
- Biblical principles guide all lending decisions
- Reinvest profits into cooperative development
Phase 3: Kingdom Business Training Center
- Teach cooperative management and governance
- Job training for homeless and unemployed
- Biblical workplace democracy education
- Leadership development for the marginalized
Phase 4: Complete Cooperative Ecosystem
- Network of mutually supporting worker-owned businesses
- Local economy controlled by workers, not distant shareholders
- Biblical principles integrated into all business decisions
- Sustainable community transformation
Who We're Empowering
The Homeless
Current Reality: Locked out of traditional employment due to lack of address, background checks, or interview clothes.
Our Solution: Immediate work with ownership stake in growing cooperative. No traditional hiring barriers.
Result: Dignity, purpose, economic security, and pathway out of homelessness.
The Underemployed
Current Reality: Stuck in dead-end, low-wage jobs with no advancement opportunities or voice.
Our Solution: Meaningful work with democratic voice, profit sharing, and ownership growth.
Result: Career development, financial stability, and workplace dignity.
The Formerly Incarcerated
Current Reality: Permanent economic punishment for past mistakes. Most employers won't hire.
Our Solution: Worker-owned businesses where redemption and second chances are foundational principles.
Result: Economic reintegration, community acceptance, and hope for the future.
"I was in prison, and ye came unto me."
- Matthew 25:36 (KJV)Join the Kingdom Economics Revolution
Don't just believe in biblical economics - help us build it. Every cooperative we create is a step toward the Kingdom of Heaven on earth.
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