Christian Cautions Concerning Capitalism

In our current election season, much attention is being paid to a candidate who is a democratic socialist. I would not vote for this man due to his atrocious pro-killing policies toward unborn children. However, many critics are attacking his socialism particularly, and singing praises to the glory of Capitalism. In light of this, as a Christian and a pastor, I want to bring us warnings:

First, the Bible tells us not to make wealth our goal. In fact, it is a command: 

"Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy" (1 Tim 6:17). Christ warned that the rich find it very hard to enter the kingdom of heaven (Mark 10:23-27), probably because wealth makes them haughty and thus unwilling to humble themselves before the Savior.

Solomon wisely warns us not to love money, because it has a bad habit of growing wings and flying right out the window! (Proverbs 23:5). The entire book of Ecclesiastes talks about the futility of earthly achievements in light of death and eternity. Certain radio talk-show hosts preach the idea of the successful pursuit of material wealth as the definition of an achieving life, but Christ calls such a man a fool (Luke 12:18-21). Whatever practical benefits capitalism may offer over socialism, neither system can save us from greed. We must not make great wealth a life-goal.

Second, faith and godliness are vastly more important than pragmatic profit. Does God hate failure? Not as much as He hates unjust scales (Proverbs 11:1), whether He finds them at Goldman-Sachs or the local grocery store! God says a poor man who walk with integrity is better than a rich man who is crooked in his ways (Proverbs 28:6).

The Bible does not teach that all rich people got that way through crooked dealing. Socialism seems to always fall back on that cliche', but the Bible describes some wealthy men who were righteous (Job, Solomon). But a man or woman who gains wealth through trickery and bloodshed has God's curse on his house. Beggar Lazarus by faith went to Paradise when he died, while the wicked rich man went to hell (Luke 16:19-31).

Third, God has given government the responsibility to rule justly over economic exchange. Some so-called conservatives seem to want the government to back so far out of economics that predatory anarchy would result. They praise the joys of laissez-faire. They think fondly of the days of the robber barons.

However, the Scripture is clear that God expects government to "wield the sword" over the economy. The magistrate's task is to reward the good and punish the evil (Romans 13:4), which includes the marketplace. True, the Bible doesn't task the government with the responsibility of forcing us buy or sell particular goods or services.

But God demanded just weights and measures (Leviticus 19:36), a universal moral standard which He expects all governments to enforce. God demanded that kings intervene on behalf of widows and orphans (Isaiah 1:17), in imitation of God Himself (Psalm 68:5). God condemned the Jewish government's permission of land-manipulation, in which people joined house to house so that no common land was left for the poor, who might need a place to set up a tent (Isaiah 5:8).  The Bible never supports laissez-faire.

Lastly, the Bible teaches that we are tied to our neighbors, and God holds us accountable for our neighbor's good. Jesus said, "Love your neighbor just as you love yourself" is one of the two greatest commandments (Mark 12:31). This does not mean that the government should use taxes to subsidize evil practices, as it currently does in many cases. The right and wrong use of taxes will be a constant struggle.

But the Bible condemns the radical selfishness of Ayn Rand, which she championed in her famous book Atlas Shrugged.  When we Christians establish an honest police force, a capable fire department, a ready EMS service, and then pay our taxes to support their salaries and equipment, we are doing it for the entire community. When we pay for safe roads and bridges, we benefit everyone, including all the people who reject our Christian faith.

God ordered the Jews to seek the peace and prosperity of Babylon, if only out of enlightened self-interest (Jeremiah 29:7). Babylon, the citadel of idolatry! Babylon, center of godless world power! Yet God ordered the Jews to pray and work for Babylon's blessing. Babylon was the neighbor God ordered them to love. Out of that divine policy emerged Daniel, then later Mordecai, Esther, and Nehemiah under the Persians. 

Two cheers for free-market capitalism, I say. In my opinion, it's a more productive system of buying and selling than feudalism. It springs, historically, from good Protestant roots. But let us beware of being drawn into worldly philosophies that justify coveting, idolatry, selfishness, or anarchism posing as liberty. 
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