We American Christians have grown up in an avowedly Capitalist nation. For a couple of hundred years America was called a Christian nation. Every once in a while we hear or read a Bible verse, like:
Matthew 6:24 — No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.
Or these:
Acts 2:44 — All the believers were together and had everything in common.
Acts 4:32-35 — All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.
…and they give us pause – possibly even guilt – we wonder if our country, our culture and we as individual believers have messed up.
Jesus was poor beyond our modern American imagining. Are we not to follow him? If we are going to sincerely empty ourselves of Self and bless others with our goods, doesn’t Socialism present a more Christ-like economic system?
Oops!
These are the musings of the pure in heart; those who want God’s will more than their own comfort. These are the questions of idealists; those who measure their actions by how well they meet their high standards.
There is an underlying biblical reality that is often overlooked by the pure in heart (and economic theorists.) It is this: Mankind is fallen. We are, each and every one, fatally flawed in our very core. We – each and every one – are sinners.
The problem with Capitalism – and Socialism – and Anarchism – and every other ism – is that they are human systems run by corrupt humans.
Any one of these systems would make Earth a paradise if humans could all be like Jesus.
Any one of these systems can – and do – produce a hell on Earth when humans act in pure self-interest.
And One Other Thing
Following Christ is an individual choice: always was, is now, and ever shall be. We know it from the Bible.
Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”
We know it from experience. We might go to church and “dress right and look right” because it is expected of us, but following Christ is a matter of conforming our will to his. No one does that because their parents made them go to Sunday School.
We know it from history. Governments that mandate Christianity end up persecuting other religions, even other Christians, in ways that must make Jesus weep.
So what now?
The best-case scenario is to implement the system that is most likely to allow people the freedom to live out their commitment to follow Christ. That would be the system wherein Christians would be able to give as much as Jesus calls them to give. It would be the system wherein Christians would be able to share the Gospel, thereby spreading kindness, respect and love for our fellow men.
From a practical and biblically realistic view, Capitalism looks to be the best choice.
For one thing:
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Question |
Capitalism
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Socialism
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Work to make money?
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My choice
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Government demands
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How much do I need?
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My choice
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Government decides
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Share with others?
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My choice
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Government decides
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How much to give?
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My choice
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Government decides
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From a secular historical point of view, Socialism is a bad choice. There is no historical evidence that a socialist country, community or program has ever led to better living conditions for the poor. The historical reality is that socialism has led to more widespread poverty.
What’s that about?
The reason Socialism doesn’t work is very simple. It does not take into account the sinful state of mankind. It assumes that people will not be self-centered.
Interesting historical note: when the Pilgrims came to America, English investors put up the money for the trip expecting to be repaid in lumber, fish, furs, etc. They drew up a charter – a document to govern the company – which set up a commune. Each person was to work for the Company and receive the same compensation for their labor. About 50% of the Pilgrims were committed Christians; a huge percentage of the population! Here is an abridged version (with updated spelling) of what Pilgrim William Bradford wrote about it:
…they began to think how they might raise as much corn as they could…that they might not languish in misery…And so assigned to every family a parcel of land…This had very good success; for it made all hands very industrious…and gave far better content. This experience…may well evince the vanity …of Plato…that the taking away of property, and bringing …into a common wealth, would make them happy and flourishing. For this…was found to breed much confusion and discontent and retard much employment…For the young men…did repine that they should spend their time and strength to work for other men’s wives and children…And for men’s wives to be commanded to do service for other men…they deemed it a kind of slavery…it did diminish and take of the mutual respect…amongst them. And would have been worse if they had been men of another condition. {i.e., non-christians)
Furthermore…
Capitalism can be used to exploit the working class. However, it also provides a means whereby the able-bodied can work to escape the ranks of the exploited. It also – and this is key – provides a means for Christians to be able to share with others. Socialism not only takes away the incentive to work and the ability to create wealth, it takes away the choice to share.
2 Corinthians 9:7 — Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
