1. Welcome to Baptist Board, a friendly forum to discuss the Baptist Faith in a friendly surrounding.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to all the features that our community has to offer.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!

Is capitalism biblical?

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by 4His_glory, Nov 13, 2008.

  1. 4His_glory

    4His_glory New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2005
    Messages:
    2,884
    Likes Received:
    0
    I believe Adam was in a situation different than us. He was innocent and in a sinless state till he rebelled and fell. Because of that all men are now born in sin- i.e. with a corrupted will that is not free but a slave to sinful passions. Man has a will, but a will born in sin and positively bent toward evil certainly is not free, its in slavery.

    But I digress. that has nothing to do with the conversation. I think it is clear that we can not say with authority that such and such system of government is biblical, or that such and such economic system is biblical.
    What we do see is our responsibility to whatever government is in place: prayer for leaders and honor and respect of leaders, whether they be good or no.
     
  2. Aaron

    Aaron Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2000
    Messages:
    20,253
    Likes Received:
    1,381
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Capitalism? No. Free enterprise? Yes.

    Many are confusing the two in this thread. The difference? The love of money is the basis of one, and the love of liberty is the basis of the other.

    Pro 23:4 Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.
     
    #42 Aaron, Nov 15, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 15, 2008
  3. HankD

    HankD Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    May 14, 2001
    Messages:
    26,977
    Likes Received:
    2,536
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Here is more Scriptural support for Capitalism (or Self-Enterprise if you wish) one which even agrees (in essence) with the world's definition of capitalism (apart from the glory given to God).

    Main Entry: cap·i·tal·ism
    Function: noun
    Date: 1877
    : an economic system characterized by private or corporate ownership of capital goods, by investments that are determined by private decision, and by prices, production, and the distribution of goods that are determined mainly by competition in a free market
    From Merriam Webster Online Dictionary found in the Public Domain at http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/capitalism

    Of the value God's word places on a "virtuous woman":

    Proverbs 31
    13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
    14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
    15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
    16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
    17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
    18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
    19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
    20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
    21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
    22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
    23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
    24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
    25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
    26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
    27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.​


    HankD
     
    #43 HankD, Nov 15, 2008
    Last edited: Nov 15, 2008
  4. Jim1999

    Jim1999 <img src =/Jim1999.jpg>

    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2002
    Messages:
    15,460
    Likes Received:
    1
    Do you support labour unions in your democratic society?

    A man starts a business with his money and then unions want to run that's man's business using his hard-earned money.

    Cheers,

    Jim
     
  5. AresMan

    AresMan Active Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2005
    Messages:
    1,717
    Likes Received:
    11
    Faith:
    Baptist
    The government should be small and be there to protect liberty, to uphold property rights, to punish anyone infringing on the rights of others or perpetrating fraud, and to protect us from foreign enemies. Outside of this, the economy should be laissez faire, where honest competition and consensual transactions benefit the seller and the buyer and grow the economy.

    The government should not be in the business of redistributing wealth; bailing out companies, institutions, or industries; or picking and choosing winners and losers.
     
  6. Palatka51

    Palatka51 New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2007
    Messages:
    3,724
    Likes Received:
    0
    What about the parable of the talents? One was given 5 another 2 and the third 1. The first two put their talents to the loaners and gained interest. They were rewarded for putting their money to work. The selfish one, that took no risk with his money, was condemned and sent to hell. Matthew 25:15-30

    Then there is the law of private property rights.

    Deuteronomy 19:14
    14Thou shalt not remove thy neighbour’s landmark, which they of old time have set in thine inheritance, which thou shalt inherit in the land that the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it.

    Deuteronomy 27:17
    17Cursed be he that removeth his neighbour’s landmark. And all the people shall say, Amen.

    Then the wise king Solomon said this;

    Proverbs 22;28&29
    28Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.
    29Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; (In other words become rich though not born to royalty).

    Private property, business ownership and money markets are not a socialist economy.
     
  7. Palatka51

    Palatka51 New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2007
    Messages:
    3,724
    Likes Received:
    0
    Matthew 25:14-30

    14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
    15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
    [Business owner giving his assets to under management]

    16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
    17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
    18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.
    [Capital for capital gain, hmmm! Sounds like good old capitalism to me]

    19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
    [uh, oh the old man has returned to see how his business was managed while he was gone]

    20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
    21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
    22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
    23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
    [Let's see now, capital gains with rewards, wow what a job!]

    24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
    25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
    26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
    27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
    28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
    29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
    [oh my stars, a demotion for under performing, tisk, tisk!]

    30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
    [Did I just hear the Donald say, "You're Fired!"] :laugh:
     
  8. Palatka51

    Palatka51 New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2007
    Messages:
    3,724
    Likes Received:
    0
    While I have shown that the above scriptures show that capitalism is indeed found in the Bible, I must say that any system that does not honor God will fail. When in the Book of Acts the people of the Church sold private property and gave the proceeds to the Church and all that they had they had in common, it honored God because they did it of their hearts. When a government confiscates private property and forces redistribution it is not honoring God.
     
  9. Thinkingstuff

    Thinkingstuff Active Member

    Joined:
    May 14, 2008
    Messages:
    8,248
    Likes Received:
    9
    Faith:
    Non Baptist Christian
    I base my views of capitalism on Smith's Of Wealth and Nations.
     
Loading...