Have you noticed that "capitalism" has become a 4-letter word to Democrats who espouse philosophies like socialism and communism? Some of these people not only bad mouth capitalists, they also denigrate Jesus, the Bible, Conservative Christians, Christianity ... basically everything and everyone Godly.
There are others who are simply confused. They do not understand the concepts they embrace or oppose, and they do not understand Jesus or the Bible. (example: Michael Moore: 'Capitalism is anti-Jesus')
Some have tried to paint a picture of Jesus as a socialist. Others claim that he was a capitalist. Everyone wants a Jesus in their own image. Everyone wants this great teacher to be on their side. Can we tell from his teachings if he would advocate one side or the other?
According to dictionary.com, Random House Dictionary 2010 defines "capitalist" three ways:
1. a person who has capital, esp. extensive capital, invested in business enterprises.
2. an advocate of capitalism.
3. a very wealthy person.
So by definition #1, the answer is "No." As far as the holy scripture of the Bible let's us know, Jesus did not have capital invested in any business enterprise.
By definition #2, the answer is "Yes." Jesus told numerous stories which advocated capitalism. Just so we are clear on what capitalism is, by definition:
capitalism: An economic system based on a free market, open competition, profit motive and private ownership of the means of production. Capitalism encourages private investment and business, compared to a government-controlled economy. Investors in these private companies (i.e. shareholders) also own the firms and are known as capitalists.
For example, in the book of Matthew, Jesus is telling parables/stories to help people understand what the Kingdom of heaven is like, and how they should be ready when He comes to take them home. In the 25th chapter of Matthew we read:
13 "Therefore stay alert, because you do not know the day or the hour. 14 For it is like a man going on a journey, who summoned his servants and entrusted his property to them. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The one who had received five talents went off right away and put his money to work and gained five more. 17 In the same way, the one who had two gained two more. 18 But the one who had received one talent went out and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money in it. 19 After a long time, the master of those servants came and settled his accounts with them. 20 The one who had received the five talents came and brought five more, saying, ‘Sir, you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.' 21 His master answered, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful in a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master.' 22 The one with the two talents also came and said, ‘Sir, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more.' 23 His master answered, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master.' 24 Then the one who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Sir, I knew that you were a hard man, harvesting where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.' 26 But his master answered, ‘Evil and lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I didn't sow and gather where I didn't scatter? 27 Then you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received my money back with interest! 28 Therefore take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten. 29 For the one who has will be given more, and he will have more than enough. But the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. 30 And throw that worthless servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'" (Matthew 25:13-30) from Bible.org
So as you can see, Jesus gives a story which could easily form the basis for capitalism in direct opposition to socialism. If you need someone to further explain this to you, then read this article entitled Jesus was a Capitalist by Bryan Fischer.
And finally, by definition #3, it could be argued either way. Jesus was indeed very wealthy, even though he did not have a lot of money. True wealth is not found in money alone. Family, friends, health, intelligence, wisdom, purity ... but the greatest wealth of all is being spiritually rich in the things of God and having the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. That is why Jesus spent time warning people to repent and get ready now, because you don't know when your life will be over and you will give an account of what you have done.
Comments
Well,I don't recall that Jesus ever suggested that people should rely more and more on the Roman government to survive or for their livelihood....his message was that they should be self reliant and to help each other out...and if memory serves,he and Joseph were entrepreneurs themselves...carpenters and master craftsmen who provided a service for a fair market price...and the Gospels give no hint that they ever expected any kind of subsidy from Rome for their efforts
Socialist liberals claim to be Jesus-like for wanting to spread the wealth. But they want the government to force everyone to share their wealth. Unfortunately, they fail to realize that government-induced sharing is not something that would please God. Rather, the private individual voluntarily giving of his own would be more like Jesus. So, if you're a bleeding heart liberal with wealth, give it all away and follow God. He would be very pleased.
James5,1-6
1 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. 2 Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. 3 Your gold and silver have rusted, and their rust will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure for the last days. 4 Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. 5 You have lived on the earth in luxury and in pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned, you have killed the righteous man; he does not resist you.
Acts 4,32-35
32 Now the company of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had everything in common. 33 And with great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles' feet; and distribution was made to each as any had need.
King James ver
Acts 4,32-35
32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. 33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. 34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, 35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
King James ver
Acts 2,44-45
44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
Matthew 5,40-48
40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. 41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. 42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. 43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
2Peter2, 1-3
1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
God realization turns one into the ultimate socialist.
It redirects your personal desires into care and grooming of the hive. Of humanity.
Such a person is like an older brother or sister. They take responisibility where their younger siblings fall short. They want them to learn, and guide them as much as their own human frame will permit.
Capitalism is about personal wealth rather than the wealth of the the hive.
How long would such a bee last in the wild???
x
to xenon: Socialism takes away the personal responsibility you describe - which is what God requires; that is why socialism opposes true Godliness. Capitalism creates "the hive" you describe: A place of employment which allows individuals to work and earn a living, giving each of them the opportunity to provide for themselves and their families. Socialism robs people of responsibility by robbing those who have worked hard over the years in order to give to those who have not.
NIV 2 Corinthians 8,9-15
9For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
10And here is my advice about what is best for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. 11Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. 12For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.
13Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. 14At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, 15as it is written: "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little."
I do not and that no word
You're telling the Bible liberalist
Well, that's God is free
You have no basis because you know nothing about the bible
I burn my eyebrows studying
Internally the congregation live in a socialist
The only difference between chaves and The Christian
Chaves implements this is that social life style with methods of warfare
Jesus implements this is that social life style with pacifist methods
Since capitalism has existed since Roman times and long before
Jesus Christ expressed the parable known:
To Caesar what is Caesar's and unto God what is God's.
The intention of Christ that Christians did not adopt the system merchant in your lifestyle
But they paid the taxes cease to be played not by the laws of Rome.
Now my question is:
Is the capitalist system was not implemented by the violence gave me like it wants to implement communism as chaves?
The system is not the problem the problem is, who leads
And many false teachers are guilty of today marketing is introduced Christianity.
But this had to happen to fulfill the scripture that says:
2 Peter 2
1But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. 3In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.
For that reason I believe God and do not believe any fool who stands in a pulpit to say stupid things
And when a fool to say stupid things on the altar and when for a real teacher.
And many false prophets in sheep's clothing around me profiting at the expense of the Word of God.
Simply I would like to say this. Everytime this discussion comes up the same few passages from the book of Matthew comes to light. To the deep thinking man, all this proves is that if the ideas of capitalist vs socialist existed in that time, Matthew would have been a capitalist (maybe). Jesuss' position on wealth is nowhere as bleak as these two passages of so called proof imply. The Christian Ultrai-Right would stand up in a pulpit and label Jesus in this way is not right and it definately is not Christian. As a matter fact I wouldn't be suprised if a few people werent being paid to get a few names elected...Capitalism in its truest form.
God is a God of order and balance. I think we focus to much on the extremes. I think there is some good in socialism and some good in capitalism. The task is to find the happy medium. We need to embrace the positive aspects of socialism and capitalism, and reject the negative aspects. The Bible advocates that we should all look out for each other and not be selfish. But the Bible as states if you don't work, you don't eat. Lastly, the Bible states that the poor will always be among us.
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