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.
Is capitalism biblical?
Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by 4His_glory, Nov 13, 2008.
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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.
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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 -
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 -
The government should not be in the business of redistributing wealth; bailing out companies, institutions, or industries; or picking and choosing winners and losers. -
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. -
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: -
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.
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Thinkingstuff Active Member
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