Many Moving Parts and an “Invisible Hand”

Sometimes it is healthy to pause and consider some of the many moving parts and the hands that maintain those parts in order to sustain our lives from day to day.  Think for a moment how many parts, processes, interactions, and hands are at work near and far, seen and unseen, to help us perform even the most mundane of tasks—transportation, groceries, paying bills, fueling our cars, phoning, texting, sending and receiving packages, health care, and automobile maintenance and repair.  All of these are interconnected in a unity or union which is hard for us to comprehend, easy for us to take for granted; and more recently, the target of much criticism and efforts to reform.

Moving Parts and Skilled People
It was time for an oil change in our Toyota.  While sitting in the waiting area, we noticed stacks of auto parts newly delivered by drivers from local parts stores.  As we waited, one driver after another came and went, each bringing a part necessary for the mechanics to skillfully service the vehicles entrusted to their care.  Then, as each mechanic received the next work order on their iPad, they grabbed the appropriate auto part(s) from the stack and disappeared into the servicing area. 

As time passed, we realized that entrusting our car to a mechanic is an exercise of faith.  Our safety, and the safety of tens of millions of drivers on our nation’s highways, depends on thousands of dedicated mechanics who identify worn parts and replace them with precise torqueing of screws and bolts and precision electronic adjustment.  And all of this they do without audience and fanfare each workday.  Without them, our lives would drastically change and our economy would grind to a halt.

We can only imagine the story behind each of the hundreds of auto parts that compose the engine, chassis, and body of every vehicle.  Each part is manufactured from raw materials by injection, molding, and stamping machines, often controlled by a computer program.  Then, each finished part is packed and shipped to a distribution center in readiness for orders from auto parts stores or auto assembly plants.  The machines responsible for producing auto parts are themselves composed of many mechanical parts that must each fit together and function under microscale tolerances.

Besides the complex mechanical side of manufacture and distribution of machine parts there is also the human side.  Although the former is highly mechanical and automated, the human element is the most crucial in producing the final outcome.  Just as we depend upon the integrity and work ethic of mechanics for our personal safety and the function of our nation, so we must also depend upon the men and women who transport them on trucks, barges, trains, ships, and airplanes.  When we consider the vast number of people and mechanical processes that are necessary for the smooth operation of the so-called “supply chain,” we ought to be humbled with awe and thankfulness.  Of course, we also ought to pray for our leaders in government whose policies will either support this vast system or preside over its demise.

Our thoughts about auto parts and the supply chain were interrupted when a mechanic appeared to inform us that our oil filter cover was worn out and needed replacement.  Amazingly, within 20 minutes, a delivery driver appeared with packaged oil filter cover in hand.  Service on our Toyota was completed, and in another 20 minutes, we were on the road, with hundreds of other cars and trucks that depend on a regular supply of energy, auto parts, engine fluids, and proper maintenance to stay on the road.

The “Invisible Hand”

Back home, we placed our auto service receipt in our “maintenance folder” and the credit card receipt in its place.  As we considered all the “moving parts” both mechanical and human, that are necessary to maintain just one automobile, we realized an even more amazing dimension.  It is what Adam Smith, author of Wealth of Nations, referred to as “the invisible hand” of the market system.  Adam Smith believed in an “invisible hand” of God’s providence over human affairs which enabled the market system to accomplish “an orderly and efficient distribution of goods and services….”  This “distribution,” Smith believed, was manifested through “…the generally self-interested acts of people producing, buying, and selling in a market without fixed prices, even though no one intends such an order.”

Jay Richards, whose words we have just quoted, has written the book, Money, Greed, and God: Why Capitalism Is the Solution and Not the Problem (HarperOne, New  York:  2009).  In it, Richards refers to an amusing essay, entitled “I, Pencil,” by Leonard E. Read (Click HERE to read).  The essay personifies a common wooden pencil explaining how it came into being.  Richards summarizes “I, Pencil” as follows:

“We think a pencil is simple. And yet a single pencil requires what Read calls "innumerable antecedents," involving millions of people, from Albania to Zimbabwe, performing all sorts of different tasks.  First, there's the Cedar tree harvested from northern California.  Then there are the saws and trucks and ropes and other equipment, all built in different places; the mill in San Leandro, California; the trains to transport the wood; the processing plant with kiln and tinting; the electricity from the dam to power the plant; the millions of dollars in equipment used to build the pencils; the graphite from Sri Lanka, mixed with clay from Mississippi and chemicals from who knows where; the wax from Mexico and beyond; the yellow lacquer with castor oil; the brass to hold the eraser, forged with metals from mines from around the world; the eraser made with factice from Indonesia and pumice from Italy. Finally, there are the trucks that deliver the pencils and the stores that sell pencils to the public for about ten cents each.  All of this and more is needed to make one yellow pencil.”

Jay Richards points out three "marvels" of a free-market system that produces the simple yellow pencil.  First, few among all the people who contributed to the pencil actually knew that their particular raw material would go to making a part of the pencil.

Second, in the words of "I, Pencil, "not a single person on the face of this Earth knows how to make me."   The knowledge of all the steps and materials necessary to make a pencil “is dispersed among millions of different people.”

And third, instead of one or a few masterminds overseeing the process, it is "all coordinated by people working freely in specialized jobs following the price of countless goods and services."   The same is true of every product on the market, whether it is food, home appliances, automobiles, electronic devices; you name it.  Amazingly, there are "millions of people working in seeming unrelated jobs, speaking dozens of languages, all blissfully unaware that they are, in a small way, making…" familiar products possible.

”Free Market” and Faith
Most people know that a truly “free market” is an ideal that does not exist.  In fact, the current market which we are discussing is becoming less and less free as federal and state governments impose regulations, price fixing, corporate taxes, and tariffs that affect availability and prices of energy, food, health care, education, etc.  So, when we say, “free market,” we mean “partially free market.”

What makes a free-market system work?   Consider the following “drivers of an economy:” individual initiative, work ethic, love for one's job, desire to improve one's place in society, professional advancement, a sense of purpose and hope in the future, trust in the justice system, law and order, fair trade, and confidence of fair payment for work well done.   All of these and more influence the health and function of a free-market economy.  No doubt you can think of other factors that may contribute to the workings of Adam Smith’s "the invisible hand."  But there may be something behind all of these “drivers.”

We believe that the foundation of all economic “drivers” is a specific gift of God’s providence—a gift we call “faith?”  In other words, when we "dissect" the "invisible hand," we find God's providence operating through faith to varying degrees in the hearts of people.  The Bible describes faith as "an assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11: 1)?"  Perhaps it is this “faith,” whether in God or in “the system” (think Wall Street, Federal Reserve, etc.), that propels each of the millions of people to work even though each is only a tiny cog within a gigantic economy.  And why is the word, “economy” a fitting choice of terms?

“Economy” is derived from the Greek word, οἰκονομία, translated “oikonomia” (oy-kon-om-ee'-ah), meaning stewardship.  A steward is a person entrusted by his or her master or owner of property to manage it as a “caretaker” of the property.   A “good steward” performs his or her responsibilities with the motivation to honor the best interests of the master-owner.  The concept of stewardship originates in the first and second chapters of the Old Testament of the Bible (Genesis 1: 26-31; 2: 15).

When it comes to servicing our vehicles, a mechanic who does his or her work well is a good steward.  The steward-mechanic doesn’t own the auto service but realizes that being a good steward while “servicing” vehicles pleases his or her employer, makes for a good hourly wage, and ensures job security and long-term success for the owner of the auto service.  It is because of this “stewardship mentality” that millions of cars, each with thousands of working parts humming together under their hoods, can move on our streets and highways without frequent mechanical failures.  The same principle applies to employees at stores, restaurants, schools, clinics, hospitals, etc.  But there are laws that work against the functioning unity within both our economy and our personal lives.  What are these laws?

Market in a “Groaning World”
In the material realm, the Second Law of Thermodynamics describes the tendency of both machines and the human body to “wear out.”  Our cars need new parts and sometimes a total mechanical overhaul.  Eventually, they will be hauled to the scrap pile along with many of our smaller machines and appliances.

Our bodies also eventually “wear out.”  Within our bodies and souls is the operation of the “law of sin and death” (Romans 8: 2) which came as a consequence of mankind’s rebellion (sin) against God in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3).  Romans 8: 20-21 tells us that …the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him (God) who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.  Romans 8: 22-23 speaks of the groaning of every person and the whole creation under the curse of sin and death.  This principle is made evident to us through the Scriptures and from our own personal experiences.

All cars and other machines need the attention of mechanics.  But mechanics sometimes make mistakes and some are negligent.  None of us are perfect on our best days; nor are we perfect as stewards.  Therefore, a “bad mechanic” doesn’t justify protests against all auto mechanics.  Nor does the relatively few instances of police injustice out of thousands of successful interdictions at crime scenes justify defunding the police.  Likewise, there are thousands of honest, dedicated teachers, pastors, doctors, business owners, and lawyers; but always there are unintended mistakes and some “bad apples” in each profession. 

In a groaning world where so many things can upset us, we are prone to criticize and protest.  Yet even in lawful protests there are “bad actors” who use unfortunate incidents to further their political aims or destroy and loot property.  Bad actors even exist among our governing leaders.  Some intentionally or unintentionally influence policy without understanding the tremendous complexity of the amazing market system; nor do they understand or respect the "invisible hand" of Providence.  Corruption in government can go unpunished because of a double standard, causing the diminishing of trust and a disrespect for leaders and law enforcers.  What should the seemingly forgotten and discouraged citizen do?

Stewards of a “More Perfect Union”
Although we may be tempted to groan, complain, and protest, people who profess faith in God must use restraint based on stewardship of the manifold grace that God provides.  The Bible reveals two important points to help us understand God’s grace and how to apply it in our world.

The Apostle Peter, writing to first-century Christians living in the midst of much suffering by persecution, warned that “the end of all things is near” and that they should be alert, prayerful, fervent in love, and hospitable without complaint (1 Peter 4: 7-9).   No one can predict the date of Christ’s return, but we are nearer every day.  Peter summarizes his urgent challenge with these words in verse 10 (emphasis added):  As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 

The Prophet Jeremiah wrote, Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not (Lamentations 3: 22).  For those who have professed faith in Jesus Christ, it is by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God… (Ephesians 2: 8-9).  By grace through faith, the Life of Christ is born within anyone who sincerely claims God’s gift of salvation.  Then, His Spirit will abide in us and empower us to love and obey God, and to love our neighbor.  It is this tradition of the Christian faith that empowered the Framers to write the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution something like this:

“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a perfect Union…”

But notice there is one word missing?  The correctly stated Preamble clearly reveals the humility and wisdom of its Framers.  Their stated purpose was “to form a more perfect Union.”  They knew from history that no government prior to the 18th century was “perfect.”  And their Judeo-Christian faith tradition gave them the reason why.

The Fall of mankind in the Garden had placed creation and all mankind under the curse of sin, producing imperfect men and women; and, imperfect leaders and followers.  Hence, we find imperfect mechanics, teachers, doctors, pastors, etc.  Yet, the Founders, like many others enlightened by Scripture, believed in a Creator who alone is the source of “certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”  Therefore, the Framers aimed to form a government later described by Lincoln as being “of the people, by the people, and for the people;” namely, a government designed not to guarantee equal outcomes (equity), but one that is limited and nimble enough to assure each person the freedoms to “pursue happiness.” 

Through much shedding of blood and tears, through much prayer and reliance on the hand of Divine Providence, and through amendments to our Constitution, “the government by the people” has made significant progress toward “a more perfect union.”  Dr. Martin Luther King famously emphasized that we ought to judge our fellow man not by their outward appearance (ethnicity, gender, sexual preference, political party, etc.) but “by the content of their character.”

Eroding the “More Perfect Union”
Unfortunately, the past century in America has witnessed an erosion of the Judeo-Christian faith foundation that was responsible for the founding and preservation of America during its first century.  Biblical moral absolutes are being replaced by moral relativism based on subjective human reason and experience. 

Romans 1: 21-23 explains what happens when we “no longer honor God or give thanks” to Him.  Professing wisdom, we become fools with darkened hearts; and we can easily exchange our identity in God’s image for the image of animals and animal-like behavior.  Today, we are seeing the tragic result of exchanging the biblical revelation of our moral and biological identity for the deception of Satan the great Deceiver.  He is a liar and a murderer from the beginning (John 8: 44) and he aims to destroy the image of God through deception.  Many are falling for satanic deception which affects our individual identity, our marriages and families, and our churches.

Giving in to Satan’s deception has caused many people to become confused as they pursue their purpose in life, their personal values and identity, and even their gender.  Likewise, the nuclear family is increasingly under attack.  According to a Pew Research Center study, 23% of children in America under age 18 live in single-parent homes.  Witness the trend of church leaders, churches, and Christian educational institutions compromising their stand for biblical truth.  Yet, according to the Bible, God’s only plan for the redemption of mankind is through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ, and the witnessing and discipleship by Christ-following believers in Christ’s Name.  Jesus said, “If I be lifted up from the earth (crucified), I will draw all men unto me (John 12:32)."

Greatest Unity—Last Best Hope
What is “the last best hope of Earth?”  Lincoln believed it was America’s experiment in self-government.  According to the Bible, God’s answer seems to be the church.  He placed His “best hope” for His creation and for mankind in the hands and hearts of Christ’s raggedy band of followers who remained behind when the risen Christ ascended to Heaven.  Following Pentecost and their receiving of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2), the powerful unity of witness and purpose of these few followers literally “turned the world upside down” spiritually.  How was this possible?   

In this article, we have marveled at how innumerable moving parts and millions of people can produce and operate millions of machines, each with billions of moving parts within them, all in some kind of unity that allows our culture to function.  However, more precious and awesome than the humming of a well-oiled machine or our complex market economy is the supernatural unity of mind, body, and spirit within one human being.  Or the unconditional love that binds a man and a woman together in marriage, or the unity of Christians serving together in a local church.  Of course, the unity of the local church depends upon the Spirit-filled lives of individual Christ-followers and the love spilled into the world from a Christian marriage.

According to Francis Schaeffer, the unity among Christians within our churches is the greatest testimony and apologetic for the authenticity of the Christian faith (Curtis Heffelfinger, The Peace Making Church, Baker Books (2018), p. 107).  Schaeffer bases his claim on Jesus’s prayer with the disciples recorded in John 17 in which He prays for His disciples and those who would believe because of their witness of love and unity.  In verse 21, Jesus prays (emphasis added), That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

We are surrounded by the wonders of God’s creation from far distant stars to the subatomic particles in matter; and we are impressed by the workings of engines and economies, and even the human body.  But these are not the most powerful evidence that “God sent His Son the be the Savior of the world.”  The most convincing evidence is display of Christ’s love and unity among Christians who are called to be salt and light.

Comments & Questions Welcomed:
Thank you for reading.  We welcome your responses.  Who knows, one of you may even be able to identify from the first photo in this article the auto service here in Wooster, Ohio that we referenced. To respond with  insights, comments, and questions, just use “Comments” below, or email to silviusj@gmail.com.