"If I Ruled the World"

“Give me the right to issue and control a nation's money and I care not who governs the country.” 

- unfounded 

That quote is supposedly attributed to Amschel Mayer Rothschild (1744 - 1812 A.D.), a banker whose financial legacy still exists today. 

The quote is no where to be found, and is likely a spite against Mr. Rothschild that gained much traction (as is typical of hearsay and libel). 

Some people believe his descendants and a cabal of others own the majority of the earth's wealth. 

There is historical evidence for that wealth having great influence, but the accusations are often made through an antisemitic narrative (Rothschild was ethnically Jewish).

Is this any different than other wealthy people or interests throughout history?

Link to this family's dictionary entry. 

There are constants set in motion that are either God-purposed or allowed, yet somehow further instigated by men and their lack of love for others.

The accusations against the Rothschilds and company further historical evidence of that legacy having financed wars, lent to governments, lobbied policies, etc.. 

The lending / financing was with gold (currency having intrinsic value measurable and justified by man's mind).

But what about when currency goes from being some 'thing' to an idea?

Ever wonder how, in modern terms, tribute is paid to someone as if they were kings? 

How is an earthly king revealed under a government system that supposedly outlawed rule by royals (or those believing themselves to be noble)? 

One way is by introducing a novel currency, issuing it as a debt, and demanding interest for its use and circulation.

The name or face on the currency matters less than the entity (and stock holders) who runs its operation.

What matters now is the idea / concept / belief behind (or that supports) the currency.

Idolatry.

Regarding the method of issuing debt, the interest amount is never issued into circulation.

Siphon.

This causes an insoluble situation, what I personally consider to be the force behind inflation and much woe in the world.

It is bad enough the world's currencies are all fiat (currency whose only 'value' is its idea).

Still today, as in millenniums past, the business of people and resource management stays the same regardless of the methods (or chicanery) employed.

The key is understanding how money is today issued into circulation... and how to best navigate that reality for conscience-sake (and to stay afloat).

Consider issuing your own 'money' (or medium of exchange), or trading with none at all. 

Consider foremost this excerpt that, if you have eyes to see and ears to hear, may help you decipher clearly what is often cloudy: 

Will not all of them taunt him with ridicule and scorn, saying ‘Woe to him who piles up stolen goods and makes himself wealthy by extortion! 

How long must this go on?’ 

Will not your debtors suddenly arise? 

Will they not wake up and make you tremble? 

Then you will become their victim. 

Because you have plundered many nations, the peoples who are left will plunder you. 

For you have shed man’s blood; you have destroyed lands and cities and everyone in them. 

Woe to him who builds his realm by unjust gain to set his nest on high, to escape the clutches of ruin! 

You have plotted the ruin of many peoples, shaming your own house and forfeiting your life. 

The stones of the wall will cry out, and the beams of the woodwork will echo it. 

Woe to him who builds a city with bloodshed and establishes a town by crime! 

Has not the Lord Almighty determined that the people’s labor is only fuel for the fire, that the nations exhaust themselves for nothing? 

For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. 

Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbors, pouring it from the wineskin till they are drunk, so that he can gaze on their naked bodies. 

You will be filled with shame instead of glory. 

Now it is your turn! 

Drink and be exposed! 

The cup from the Lord’s Right Hand is coming around to you, and disgrace will cover your glory. 

The violence you have done to Lebanon will overwhelm you, and your destruction of animals will terrify you. 

For you have shed man’s blood; you have destroyed lands and cities and everyone in them. 

Of what value is an idol, since a man has carved it? 

Or an image that teaches lies? 

For he who makes it trusts in his own creation; he makes idols that cannot speak. 

Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Come to life!’ Or to lifeless stone, ‘Wake up!’ Can it give guidance? 

It is covered with gold and silver; there is no breath in it. 

But the Lord is in His holy temple; let all the earth be silent before Him.” 

- Habakkuk 2:6-20 

Consider also this great exploration into the history of the concept of money, credit, and debt surrounding the idea of usury (interest). 

In that scholar's article you'll learn how the Church (when having great influence over secular societies under its care) did outlaw usury / interest for a time, but in doing so certain patterns were set in motion.

Tribute to earthly thrones is justified by men beguiled by temporal wealth and worldly honor... and even the most 'religious' have been beguiled regardless of their brand of religion.

The Church had granted an allowance for a certain group of people to still charge interest / usury, which in my mind was unloving, unkind, and humanly unwarranted towards them.

... financial oppression of Jews tended to occur in areas where they were most disliked, and if Jews reacted by concentrating on moneylending to non-Jews, the unpopularity—and so, of course, the pressure—would increase. Thus the Jews became an element in a vicious circle. The Christians, on the basis of the Biblical rulings, condemned interest-taking absolutely, and from 1179 A.D. those who practiced it were excommunicated. Catholic autocrats frequently imposed the harshest financial burdens on the Jews. The Jews reacted by engaging in the one business where Christian laws actually discriminated in their favor, and became identified with the hated trade of moneylending. 

- Paul Johnson's A History of the Jews, page 174.

Regardless if one suspects this was God-allowed or God-willed or God-purposed is besides the facts of history. 

What such an allowance did, no matter its good or bad intention, was bring about a preeminence among Jewish people living in those places and involved in economic trade.

And this is what some people are led to hate.

Hate-filled propaganda... instead of understanding from wisdom and realizing how God has brought Himself glory on earth.

Regardless of the effort to oppress, malign, vilify, and ostracize them, it raised up those who pursued such economic endeavors... and their ancient legacy (sons of Abraham, God's friend) is proclaimed the world over!

This is why, I think, some Jewish people eventually became part of the royal court typically reserved for like-religious minds.

The private venture of finance and moneylending became a public service accessible to more and more people every day (and beneficial to them when they utilize discipline).

Greed has been a battle in our heart's ever since Cain slew Abel over jealousy and feelings of inadequacy due to his own choices.

But God taught Cain he was able to overcome temptation...

If we are honest with ourselves, we can relate to that human condition found in us all.

If all mankind was to lend / borrow without usury / interest of any amount, then the warnings and eventual condemnations would not be faced nor feared.

It is when men craft ways to make their temporary life in the flesh more meaningful that they injure themselves (and others).

Wealth on its own is not 'evil', but rather it is the love of money which is a root of all kinds of evil (again, the passage in Habakkuk).

Only few people can manage great wealth without losing or forfeiting their souls.

This is a heart issue that can befall people of all backgrounds, not only a particular legacy or ethnocentric variety.

Those following not the warnings found in God's Word make their heaven, their salvation, and their security in this world (and are recompensed by what this world produces for such efforts).

Although it seems certain people 'rule' the world, realize the massive responsibility of such a task.

Would you really want it if it was offered to you?

What if, by some way outside of your will (consider the spiritual world behind the material scene), it was your destiny to manage such a task?