WHAT OUTCOMES ARE BEST FOR TRUE BELIEVERS?
Does the Word of God indicate which of the two systems is the best environment for true Christian growth? More socialism is basically giving people more handouts and people becoming more dependent on big government and its leaders for survival. Free enterprise is about individuals determining their own welfare by hard work, investing and saving. Looking at these two directions more socialism or more capitalism and free enterprise which is most biblical? The Apostle Paul instituted some shocking rules for churches that clearly reject freeloading and living off of others.
2 Thessalonians 3:8-10 NKJV 8 nor did we eat anyone's bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, 9 not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us. 10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.
This proclamation is no doubt startling to most people in our socialistic mind set of today. Paul is saying to churches that they should force people to be productive. It is good for them and for the people of the church overall. Paul goes even further:
1 Timothy 5:12-13 NKJV 12 having condemnation because they have cast off their first faith. 13 And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.
The Apostle Paul is talking about members who can work. Believers who are idle are likely to start venturing into various destructive behaviors that will hurt the church overall. The Apostle is speaking of a specific church program, but the principle is clear. Idleness is not good for people. Crime is complex and relates to morals; however when more people are idle, crime increases. Idle people have more time for self destructive addictions and the preying upon the weak and vulnerable.
WHAT ABOUT CRIMES AMONG CAPITALISTS
What system is the most supportive of cheating and lying? First, let us state the obvious which is that lying cheating and stealing are fundamental weaknesses of human nature. You will have lying and cheating in both capitalistic and socialistic dominated systems. Which system most rewards dishonesty? In a capitalist system normally you must please customers to profit. This principle will dampen some dishonesty. How long can you fool your customers with inferior products and lies? Furthermore competition rewards those firms that produce the best most innovative products. In socialistic states, only government bureaucrats must be pleased and, they may not allow any competition anyway. The Bible supports competition.
Matthew 25:14-17 NKJV 14 "For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 "And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. 16 "Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17 "And likewise he who had received two gained two more also.
The servants entrepreneurial trading is praised for it's success.
Matthew 25:18-21 NKJV 18 "But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord's money. 19 "After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 "So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, 'Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.' 21 "His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'
But how is the servant without any capitalistic success describe in this Bible parable?
Matthew 25:24-30 NKJV 24 "Then he who had received the one talent came and said, 'Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 'And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.' 26 "But his lord answered and said to him, 'You wicked and lazy servant,... 28 'Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. 29 'For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 30 'And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'
Entrepreneurship is used by Jesus as a model for Christian growth, faith and courage. Therefore the Bible supports free enterprise. Obviously we need for the government to prosecute cheaters in both systems but if the cheaters are government officials will they be harder to stop? Corruption is a problem everywhere but probably it is going to be harder to root it out of bigger government systems.
GOVERNMENT IS IMPORTANT IN THE FREE WORSHIP OF BELIEVERS
The latest government actions regarding the Covid-19 crisis clearly indicate that government is a vital factor in religious freedom. America was the first nation to grant religious freedom. It is first among the items in the Bill of Rights and the right to freedom of assembly is also included. Socialist governments are run by unbelievers. The Bible is superstition to many of them. Paul says pray for good government.
2 Thessalonians 3:1-2 KJV 1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: {have...: Gr. run} 2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. {unreasonable:
One can easily imagine that if leftists gain control of the government long enough they will limit the free spread of the gospel. For instance talk radio was blocked for conservative usage as too controversial until President Reagan altered the rules. The message of the minority and their rights must be protected for a free flow of the true gospel. The more socialistic a government the more they tend to use education to brainwash our youth. Even now some are working to end 'Home Schooling' and state openly that it is because of Christian parents indoctrinating their children with their own conservative beliefs. The socialist German government will take kids away from parents who EVEN try to 'home school'. Paul says pray for protection from all wicked men but the ones in government would have a lot more power to limit the gospel. Who is voted into office can make a big difference in a country whether socialist or free capitalist.
THE BIBLE WARNS OF THE DANGERS OF BIG CENTRAL GOVERNMENTS
Israel for many centuries had only local regional government and heroic judges and prophets sent from God as needed for national wars and other crisis situations. But, the people wanted a big central government to take care of them. They were willing to give up much of their personal freedoms for big central government led by a political hero, a king. God predicted the dangers that this would bring on the nation.
1 Samuel 8:11-14 BBE 11 And he said, This is the sort of king who will be your ruler: he will take your sons and make them his servants, his horsemen, and drivers of his war-carriages, and they will go running before his war-carriages; 12 And he will make them captains of thousands and of fifties;... making his instruments of war and building his war-carriages....
This big government will have extremely high taxes and will draft your sons and daughters and suppress your individual rights the Prophet told them. They did not really believe him. I heard an expert speculate that our daughters could be drafted in the next big war.
1 Samuel 8:15-17BBE He will take a tenth of your seed and of the fruit of your vines and give it to his servants. 16 He will take your men-servants and your servant-girls, and the best of your oxen and your asses and put them to his work. 17 He will take a tenth of your sheep: and you will be his servants.
Total socialist governments have more than just civil authority over the people, they have economic power. Remember 'absolute power corrupts leaders absolutely'! Further God indicated to the prophet that this desire for a large central government led by a handsome king was actually against Him. The people were rejecting God. Relying on big government too much can be a spiritual poison.
1 Samuel 8:7-8 BBE 7 And the Lord said to Samuel, Give ear to the voice of the people and what they say to you: they have not been turned away from you, but they have been turned away from me, not desiring me to be king over them. 8 As they have done from the first, from the day when I took them out of Egypt till this day, turning away from me and worshiping other gods, so now they are acting in the same way to you.
Voting for more socialism and bigger government is a vote against following God and His word. It is a vote for more government and less God! Some will ask what about the commune described in Acts? It was based on voluntary charity not governmental taxation and edicts. Huge socialist governments do not favor charities because they are out of their control.
Acts 5:2-4 NKJV 2 And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles' feet. 3 But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? 4 "While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God."
CLASSIC ECONOMICS AND THE AMERICAN DREAM
Since about 1870 America has produced about 25% of the world's wealth with less than 5% of the world's population. Classic economics based on the invisible hand the economic law of supply and demand as described by Adam Smith in his book, The Wealth Of Nations, is practiced best in America. America is the poster child for the success of that policy. America is still the most open and free business center of the planet and the most wealthy. People from around the world have poured into America to pursue their dreams with remarkable success. Freedom of choice and hard work are Godly concepts. Did God use Free Enterprise among other things to bless Britain and America?
