OPINION:
If America is to remain the shining city on the hill the greatest nation on God’s green earth it’s going to be because we commit to being one nation always under God. The principles of economic flourishing are rooted in this bedrock truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. In that truth, we can have confidence in our own futures and the future of our nation.
The economic lesson we learn from scripture is that we must dig into the soil to deliver a return. I’ve been inspired recently by Galatians 6:7, which reads, “…whatever one sows, that will he also reap.” But this message is under attack today, with too many arguing you can reap without having to sow first.
Our nation’s history is full of examples of men and women with faith that transcended their circumstances. By digging deep and holding to a belief in something bigger than themselves, our country has remained a blessed nation.
In my latest book, “One Nation Always Under God: Profiles in Christian Courage,” I tell stories of Americans who navigated their circumstances through hard work and faith in the Almighty. You will find that He uses the most ordinary people to achieve extraordinary outcomes. Those stories are examples of what makes our nation exceptional. If our country loses sight of this principle, we will be lost.
When we turn to prayer, then get to work, we can change the course of American history. As James 2:17 reminds us, faith without works is dead. So it is time to get to work.
This is why those in public office today must remain vigilant to protect the American dream. We must celebrate those who achieve the most remarkable things. Unfortunately, however, there are growing socialist forces today in the Democrat Party who believe the government can do it better than the extraordinary Americans pursuing their dreams. The prevailing culture in the Democrat Party today embraces socialism, with none in their ranks pushing back.
There is a lesson in Proverbs that “hope deferred makes the heart sick.” (Proverbs 13:12) When hope is dependent on a government coming to rescue you, your hope is too often deferred. When our government gets out of the way and unleashes opportunity, the American people respond in accord.
This played out in policy when we passed President Trump’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in 2017 and made them permanent this year we lowered the taxes for a single mother by 70%. The average American family saved $6,000 as a result, whereas under President Biden, the average citizen lost $1,069 per month in spending power because of inflation. We empowered families, not government.
My time as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs has given me the opportunity to dive deeper into issues like homeownership, access to capital and financial literacy. My own mother did not become a homeowner until she was 38 years old considered an anomaly at the time and today, that is the average age of a first-time American home buyer.
As leaders and public servants, there is more we can do. That is exactly what we have done in the Banking Committee with bipartisan housing legislation. And it is exactly what giving Americans opportunities to pursue their dreams looks like.
My Opportunity Zone legislation was inspired by prayer, dwelling on what families truly need to get ahead in this economy. As a result of empowering the private sector, billions have been invested in the most underserved neighborhoods in our country. And as a result, jobs have been created, new housing has been built and prosperity has come to communities in need of hope.
Proverbs 31:8 reminds us that we must stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves; it’s high time our leaders returned to that biblical principle. During my lifetime, I went from living just yards away from railroad tracks, to building my own business to the United States Senate floor. Only in America, where we are committed to unleashing economic flourishing and securing the future for the next generation, will we remain that city on the hill.
• Senator Tim Scott has served the people of South Carolina as their U.S. Senator since 2013. In the U.S. Senate, Tim has been a leader in fighting for opportunity and education for families, defending God-given rights, and advancing safety and security goals at home and abroad. He is the Chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee and the Senate Banking Committee. Prior to his time in politics, Tim built successful small businesses. He lives in the Charleston area with his wife, Mindy, and is home every weekend to take his mama to church.
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