Is capitalism biblical?

So is Jim going to sell his computer and give the money to the poor thus depriving us of his wisdom?

 

LOL! - I thought the same thing. Those who invoke Jesus' invitation to the Rich Young Ruler to apply to all of us (or worse, somehow mandates gov't enforcement of such) forget that Jesus said, "You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." - Luke 18:22

And they make these statements while typing from a possession called a computer. Too funny.

 

These verses actually lean more to a capatalist economy than a socialist economy. The businesses and landowners could profit as much as possible. They were just required to give a portion for the less fortunate. Notice it does not say that the business owner who is successful is to give 50% and the ones who are moderatly successful give 30% etc. The government did not own the land or businesses and there was incentive for success as well as provisions to help the needy.

 

So is Jim going to sell his computer and give the money to the poor thus depriving us of his wisdom?
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Wife says that if we ever won a million dollars (we don't buy lottery tickets) Jim wouldn't see a cent of it. He would have it all given away in a week.

I have given away 5 computers over the years, if you must know. I have fed the poor and needy, provided work for some and yes, I have been quite generous with my money over the years. There is more to ministry that just preaching the word. It is called living the word. I think I have done this over the 50 odd years of ministry, but I will let the people be my judge.

I am not so sure about the wisdom part.

Cheers,

Jim

 

I think capitalism and socialism are neutral systems. It depends on how they are used and/or misused as to what is biblical or not. Both are subject to abuse and have been and are misused by fallen men.

 

Pure capitalism has never been allowed to play in history because it does not benefit governments that wish to secure their own success and growth.

 

You analysis is correct. A good example is the age of the Robber Barons in US history.

Definition of pure capitalism:

http://209.85.135.104/search?q=cach...sm+"pure+capitalism"&hl=cs&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=cz

 

I believe a good example of this is the current scandle of the adulteration of foods with melamine in China. The Chinese government has basically abandoned any oversight to quality of products. I am not sure how strong the oversight ever was as I heard of problems when I worked in Xi'an ain 1995 and 2000. It appears the oversight has become even more lax since 2000.

Since abandoning the state control of everything China, though their government calls itself communist, it isn't and never really was, has moved toward unrestrained Capitalism. When I was working at the university in Xi'an I used to tease my Chinese friends about China being more capitalistic than the US. My example to them was the bus service. There were/are city or government run buses and than anyone with a van can buy a permit and compete with the city transporation buses. That is not possible in any American city that I know of.

I say China was never really communist, that is they never really followed Marx. My take was that China was Confucian with communist lipstick.

 

FWIW, I would never advocate for completely unfettered capitalism, because I think it goes against God's purposes of government. The main purpose of government is to punish wrong-doing, so I think there should be laws to punish frauds and cheats, for instance. But I don't think there should be laws that limit how much money one can make. We are so far from completely unfettered capitalism, though. The more liberty we give to people, the more we will thrive and the more wealth we will create to be used for good. America has been the most free nation in history and look at what we have accomplished - the entire world is blessed by our wealth and protection. And I believe we would have accomplished a great deal more, if we were given even more liberty.

Liberty is the answer, not more government control.

 

Hey! a new soundbite for Sarah Palin: Q: What's the difference between Communism and Confucianism? A: Lipstick!

 

I cannot speak for the USA, but in the 30's and 40's the local churches took responsibility for the welfare of people who had nothing. As the 50's and 60's took over, the local churches abdicated that responsibility and so government was forced to step in and assist. This was the beginning of the welfare system.

Government was created to give direction to the country and keep everything in order. Laws were created to keep peace and good order and prevent one lot from overlording the less fortunate. It is commonly called equal rights. It did not deprive man from free enterprise.

In fact, when I was in university, one professor made this statement: "For every law that is created, you will live long enough to regret." I found this to be very true over the years in many cases.

Still, law is essential for my protection from the idiots who have no respect for me and mine.

That is why I like my definition of socialism: Democracy with social responsibility.

Cheers,

Jim

 

Liberty is unfettered capitalism. Thats what makes it work. liberty should be the natural state of man capitalism is based off of that. What was Gods view of Government. Well, how he establishes Isreal was that each of the tribes were under a tribal leader who was subjected to the laws of God taught by the priesthood. What we see with early Israel was a loosely bound tribal leadership under one religion. When the people begged for a King God seems to disapprove and consols Samuel saying that the people did not reject Samuel but God. Do you really think God wants a strong central government? Jesus is king of his kingdom but he also came to set us free from sin and sin's control. I would suspect that his kingdom is based on liberty understood properly.

 

Is capitalism biblical?

Yes, as long as God is willing and He gets the glory.

13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:
14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.
16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.

HankD​

 

So you would have man living as a slave? Rather I believe God gives us liberty and that is our natural state. And many things that God does here on earth is to reflect glory in the here after.

 

Do you believe in free will? God gave man authority over all the earth and only restricted him from the tree in the middle of the Garden.