Capitalism is the astounding belief that the most wickedest of men will do the most wickedest of things for the greatest good of everyone. ~ John Maynard Keynes
Indeed, capitalism is an astounding belief that wickedness can bring out good. Many think that the greed and selfishness that capitalism runs on will bring out the greatest good of everyone - generosity, compassion and prosperity. This includes many in the modern church. They argue that while capitalism is based on greed and selfishness, it is the best way to teach people not to be selfish, but generous because it allows freedom. They argue that the prosperity generated by capitalism for the world is a blessing from God, and therefore moral, implying that God has an obligation to give people wealth.
The Bible makes it clear that God is Sovereign. Psalm 115:3 says: Our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased. Daniel 4:35 tells us: And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?. Psalm 24:1 also tells us: The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein .
Indeed, capitalism is an astounding belief that wickedness can bring out good. Many think that the greed and selfishness that capitalism runs on will bring out the greatest good of everyone - generosity, compassion and prosperity. This includes many in the modern church. They argue that while capitalism is based on greed and selfishness, it is the best way to teach people not to be selfish, but generous because it allows freedom. They argue that the prosperity generated by capitalism for the world is a blessing from God, and therefore moral, implying that God has an obligation to give people wealth.
The Bible makes it clear that God is Sovereign. Psalm 115:3 says: Our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased. Daniel 4:35 tells us: And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?. Psalm 24:1 also tells us: The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein .
God's Sovereignty means that God is justified in doing anything because all things come from God. As all things come from God, no one can share with God that which is His. Anything that people have is belonging to God, not to the person because the person belongs to God whether he believes in Him or not. Nothing belongs to us humans, no, not even our life! There is no such thing as a right to life because life is GIFT from God. A gift is something that the Giver chooses to give out of His own delight. He is not obliged to give gifts to anyone. Just as salvation is a gift, our earthly needs to God gives to us are gifts. God does not have to give anyone earthly needs. He is entitled to starve people for His purposes or allow His people to suffer (Job 1). If God is justified in allowing the sinless Lamb of God to suffer, is He not justified in allowing us sinful humans to suffer, and take away our lives at He pleases?
It is because God owns everything and everyone that "for by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him" (Colossians 1:16) that private property is anti-Christian. It elevates human earthly needs and desires, as well as the pursuit of such earthly needs and desires that private property is against God, only on that ground alone.
That capitalism is based on the doctrine of private property alone renders it anti-Christian. That is "can" be used for good neither detracts from nor increases the moral value of capitalism. To argue that because capitalism can be used for good such as to serve the poor, rendering it morally justifiable, is akin to arguing that setting a fire to a building with people living in it is good because one gets to put out the flame.
Capitalism itself is the serving of mammon because its foundation is one that elevates gifts, that is property, above God who is the giver. Just as a "good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit" (Matthew 7:18), capitalism can bring no good. The prosperity of many lead to the poverty of many. The luxury it brings becomes the arduous labour. The labour it produces becomes frivolity and laziness. The liberty that comes from the frivolity and laziness of capitalistic life becomes the enslavement to mammon. This is all because the goal of capitalism is to pursuit the meaninglessness of wealth, liberty and power.
Oh vanities, of vanities, what could be more vain that labouring for that which will perish?. The good that comes from capitalism is good only in the worldly sense, not the godly sense: material wealth, liberty and power that have no Eternal value. Such are those which will rot.
The motto of capitalism is to labour for that which perishes, and shun the Kingdom of God.For it one is devoted to serving which which perishes, how can one seek for God? (Matthew 6:24).
The motto of capitalism completely opposed to Jesus' command to seek first the Kingdom of God, and labour for the Kingdom of God, rather than the things of this world. Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal (Matthew 6:19).
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