Elevating Earthly Security above the Eternal

Many Christians, when confronted with the truth that capitalism is materialistic and demonic, are quick to point out that communism is materialistic. Indeed, communism is materialistic, but so is capitalism, if not more so. 

In the capitalistic framework, gain in the material is an end in and of itself. Such gain in to be enjoyed as one sees fit for oneself. This is in contrast to the Christian framework that gain in the material are not ends in themselves, but means to an ends.  These ends is are that which is to ultimately serve God and others to obey the Two Greatest Commandments from Jesus: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself" (Luke 10:27). 

The capitalistic framework, consistent with its goal of achieving all the things of this world sees work or labour as a means to an ends, rather than as ends in themselves. Work is drudge, and a means of being controlled by another who is "more successful" in the capitalist bloodspot. Work is something that those who are "less successful" are to do to achieve their goals of pursuing the things of this world. Work is seen as an unfortunate part of life, but contradictorily, as good way to show one's power over those who cannot "find" work because they are "less successful". Work is to be hated, but at the same time, to be loved because it satisfies the lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh and pride of life through the material benefits it promises.

Indeed, where people see work as only a means to survive and means for earthly security, it would indeed be a drudge. It would be meaningless. It is only done for living, and living is done to work. One would indeed be trapped in such a cycle of slaving to earthly pursuit of material security.

The Christian framework is however the complete opposite of the capitalistic thought about work. For the Christian, work is an ends in itself to serve God and others. It is not done for oneself to serve one's material needs because God will provide for the Christian. So work, is not a means of occupying oneself or proving one's skills as is the modern materialist capitalistic philosophy, but a means of contributing to the good of others. It is that which has Eternal value because it is not done for the earthly and the  material, but for the spiritual. It is done to serve God and others, and ultimately to build the Kingdom of God, not the kingdom of the world which is of the devil that will rot away.

Capitalism seeks to achieve all the earthly things using the ways that crave to the human desire for gain. It is because of this very basis that it is of mammon. It elevates earthly security above Eternal security. For the Christian, this need not be done as God provides those who seek Him and serve Him. As Jesus commanded His followers: "Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need" (Matthew 6:33).