The Bible and Capitalism

I came across this article today and thought it was quite good.  It reminded me of a blog I made some time ago when everyone seemed to be trying to portray Jesus as a Socialist.

http://silentnomoremajority.blogspot.com/2009/09/stop-twisting-bible-liberals-jesus-was.html

The main difference is the author of this article actually has skills at writing.  I have linked the article below and copied the substance for your reading pleasure.  It is a pretty decent read, at least in my opinion.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203806504577179303330474134.html


What the Bible Teaches About Capitalism 


As the Ten Commandments instruct, envy is corrosive to the individual
and to those societies that embrace it..

By ARYEH SPERO 
Who would have expected that in a Republican primary campaign the single
biggest complaint among candidates would be that the front-runner has
taken capitalism too far? As if his success and achievement were
evidence of something unethical and immoral? President Obama and other
redistributionists must be rejoicing that their assumptions about rugged
capitalism and the 1% have been given such legitimacy.

More than any other nation, the United States was founded on broad
themes of morality rooted in a specific religious perspective. We call
this the Judeo-Christian ethos, and within it resides a ringing
endorsement of capitalism as a moral endeavor. 

Regarding mankind, no theme is more salient in the Bible than the
morality of personal responsibility, for it is through this that man
cultivates the inner development leading to his own growth, good
citizenship and happiness. The entitlement/welfare state is a paradigm
that undermines that noble goal. 

The Bible's proclamation that "Six days shall ye work" is its
recognition that on a day-to-day basis work is the engine that brings
about man's inner state of personal responsibility. Work develops the
qualities of accountability and urgency, including the need for comity
with others as a means for the accomplishment of tasks. With work, he
becomes imbued with the knowledge that he is to be productive and that
his well-being is not an entitlement. And work keeps him away from the
idleness that Proverbs warns leads inevitably to actions and attitudes
injurious to himself and those around him. 

Yet capitalism is not content with people only being laborers and
holders of jobs, indistinguishable members of the masses punching in and
out of mammoth factories or functioning as service employees in
government agencies. Nor is the Bible. Unlike socialism, mired as it is
in the static reproduction of things already invented, capitalism is
dynamic and energetic. It cheerfully fosters and encourages creativity,
unspoken possibilities, and dreams of the individual. Because the Hebrew
Bible sees us not simply as "workers" and members of the masses but,
rather, as individuals, it heralds that characteristic which endows us
with individuality: our creativity.

At the opening bell, Genesis announces: "Man is created in the image of
God"-in other words, like Him, with individuality and creative
intelligence. Unlike animals, the human being is not only a hunter and
gatherer but a creative dreamer with the potential of unlocking all the
hidden treasures implanted by God in our universe. The mechanism of
capitalism, as manifest through investment and reasoned speculation,
helps facilitate our partnership with God by bringing to the surface
that which the Almighty embedded in nature for our eventual extraction
and activation. 

Capitalism makes possible entrepreneurship, which is the realization of
an idea birthed in human creativity. Whereas statism demands that
citizens think small and bow to a top-down conformity, capitalism, as
has been practiced in the U.S., maximizes human potential. It provides a
home for aspiration, referred to in the Bible as "the spirit of life."

The Bible speaks positively of payment and profit: "For why else should
a man so labor but to receive reward?" Thus do laborers get paid wages
for their hours of work and investors receive profit for their
investment and risk. 

The Bible is not a business-school manual. While it is comfortable with
wealth creation and the need for speculation in economic markets, it has
nothing to say about financial instruments and models such as private
equity, hedge funds or other forms of monetary capitalization. What it
does demand is honesty, fair weights and measures, respect for a
borrower's collateral, timely payments of wages, resisting usury, and
empathy for those injured by life's misfortunes and charity.

It also demands transparency and honesty regarding one's intentions. The
command, "Thou shalt not place a stumbling block in front of the blind
man" also means that you should not act deceitfully or obscure the truth
from those whose choice depends upon the information you give them.
There's nothing to indicate that Mitt Romney breached this biblical code
of ethics, and his wealth and success should not be seen as automatic
causes for suspicion.

No country has achieved such broad-based prosperity as has America, or
invented as many useful things, or seen as many people achieve personal
promise. This is not an accident. It is the direct result of centuries
lived by the free-market ethos embodied in the Judeo-Christian outlook.

Furthermore, only a prosperous nation can protect itself from outside
threats, for without prosperity the funds to support a robust military
are unavailable. Having radically enlarged the welfare state and hoping
to further expand it, President Obama is attempting to justify his cuts
to our military by asserting that defense needs must give way to
domestic programs. 

Both history and the Bible show the way that leads. Countries that were
once economic powerhouses atrophied and declined, like England after
World War II, once they began adopting socialism. Even King Solomon's
thriving kingdom crashed once his son decided to impose onerous taxes. 

At the end of Genesis, we hear how after years of famine the people in
Egypt gave all their property to the government in return for the
promise of food. The architect of this plan was Joseph, son of Jacob,
who had risen to become the pharaoh's top official, thus: "Joseph
exchanged all the land of Egypt for pharaoh and the land became
pharaoh's." The result was that Egyptians became indentured to the ruler
and state, and Joseph's descendants ended up enslaved to the state. 

Many on the religious left criticize capitalism because all do not end
up monetarily equal-or, as Churchill quipped, "all equally miserable."
But the Bible's prescription of equality means equality under the law,
as in Deuteronomy's saying that "Judges and officers . . . shall judge
the people with a just judgment: Do not . . . favor one over the other."
Nowhere does the Bible refer to a utopian equality that is contrary to
human nature and has never been achieved. 

The motive of capitalism's detractors is a quest for their own power and
an envy of those who have more money. But envy is a cardinal sin and
something that ought not to be. 

God begins the Ten Commandments with "I am the Lord your God" and
concludes with "Thou shalt not envy your neighbor, not for his wife, nor
his house, nor for any of his holdings." Envy is corrosive to the
individual and to those societies that embrace it. Nations that throw
over capitalism for socialism have made an immoral choice.

Rabbi Spero has led congregations in Ohio and New York and is president
of Caucus for America.

The Next Person Who Says Happy Holidays Shall Be Punched In The Throat

How's that for holiday spirit??

I've just about had enough of the minimization of Christmas. Political correctness, coupled with bitter, angry atheists, have all but destroyed any remnants of the reason for celebrating this holiday, and I am at an unprofessional boiling point. Yes, this shall be one of my rants.

Does anyone really believe our nation is better off without the true meaning of Christmas allowed in public places? It is already an over-commercialized financially crippling mess. We have created numerous fairy tales to detract from the true meaning. From a fat man in a red suit who sneaks down our chimney at night, to flying reindeer with red noses, to a very unmanly enchanted snowman (that's right, I said it!! I hate Frosty!!), we will look to anything to not have to look toward or understand the true meaning of CHRISTmas.

Some time ago, people even started calling it Xmas, quite literally removing the meaning of the holiday. Shortly after this, some started celebrating a holiday during the same time period called "Kwanzaa", which is a fictitious holiday made up by a felon named Ron N. Everett, who changed his name to Maulana Karenga.

http://www.textbookleague.org/114kwanz.htm

As insane as this sounds, in today's politically correct United States it is more acceptable to talk about this made up farce of a holiday in your public schools than it is to speak of Jesus' birth.

Anything which could offend anyone (minus Christians, of course) is shunned as intolerant. No Christmas trees, manger scenes, wise men, Jesus, or anything of the sort. It's as though there really exists a PC Grinch, who has ridden down the mountain and stolen our Christian symbols of the holiday. Unfortunately, his heart does not appear to be growing three sizes any day soon. Removing all Christian symbols not being enough, he (atheists) is now advertising the "No God" campaign on public transit systems.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/14/us/14atheist.html?pagewanted=all

Don't get me wrong. I am not demanding that everyone place manger scenes in their front yards and go to Christmas Eve service at a local church. I am not demanding everyone worship God or Jesus. Do whatever you wish during this time of year. What I am saying is December 25th is called CHRISTmas. It is when Christians celebrate the birth of their savior, Jesus Christ. If you do not believe in this than simply don't celebrate the holiday, but don't attempt to create other distractions and fictional celebrations to overshadow and minimize CHRISTmas.

If you want to be an atheist go right ahead, though I've not known many that aren't angry and unhappy 80% of the time, but it is certainly your right. Live your life as an atheist however you want to, but don't attempt to tell me how to live mine because I believe in something...

and don't give me that load of Bull about being offended by manger scenes and all that garbage. YOU BELIEVE IN NOTHING!! HOW CAN YOU BE SO OFFENDED BY SOMETHING YOU DON'T EVEN BELIEVE EXISTS??? It would be more believable for a satanist to say they are offended by the manger scenes, as I could see how the birth of Jesus would offend them, but you can't be offended by something you don't believe in. Guess what??? I don't believe that vampires exist, but I don't get all bent out of shape on Halloween, or when the new Twilight movie gets released.

Christmas is celebrated on December 25th of each year. It is called CHRISTmas for a reason. Merry Christmas to all who believe in the virgin birth!!! To all those who don't...Merry Christmas as well. To all those who claim to be offended by someone saying "Merry Christmas" to them....lighten up!! ride that sled back down the mountain and we'll let you carve the roast beast!! Merry Christmas!!!

Happy Easter...He is Risen!!!

Ronald Reagan Presidential Christmas Address

How far we have come as a nation since Ronald Reagan's address in 1981. Has President Obama even made a Christmas address? If he does, I am guessing it will be called a "holiday address" and will not speak of Bethlehem, a manger, or Jesus. Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to everyone. If I find an Obama christmas address I will post it. I'm surprised there isn't one yet since the almighty Obama usually makes any excuse to post himself on all of our network channels so he can pontificate to his followers.

Stop Twisting the Bible Liberals, Jesus was NOT a Socialist!

I have seen a growing number of liberal articles being printed which attempt to paint conservative Christians as hippocrites for opposing the healthcare reform bill. Let me first say that I am overjoyed that modern day liberals could take the time out of their busy day to find and crack open a bible, but am disturbed that they seem to have had an ulterior motive in doing so.

Apparently the new attack is to refer to any passage in which Jesus refers to the "poor" or "sick" and claim that Jesus calls upon our country to care for them, with any resistance to this being hypocrisy on the part of conservatives, a large number of which are Christians. First let me say that I, as a Christian, feel that attempting to support either side of a political issue by invoking Jesus' words is ill-advised. For the Christian, we know that Jesus was sent to Earth for specific reasons, namely to bear all of the sins of the world on his back, so that we might have an opportunity to accept him as our Savior and have everlasting life. So I do not support the premise behind their articles whatsoever, as it is based in political gain, not edification of Jesus, but I will look at a few verses and investigate:

The main set of verses being utilized by the libs is Matthew 25:34-40:

34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Important to note here is Jesus makes no mention of the Government performing any of these functions, but is speaking to individual humans regarding their need to conduct themselves in a charitable manner. This can actually be further clarified if one were to read the earlier verses in the same chapter:

14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.
19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

These passages would support that we, as individuals are to utilize our talents to work, be successful, and most importantly to represent Our Lord in a positive manner and give unto him for the talents he has blessed us with, through tithing and charity, as individuals!

Let's even look at the verses in the same chapter, just a little earlier than this:

1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

I ask you, do these verses support socialism in any way? I am not here to say what Jesus would or would not support politically, as I feel he would chastise any having the debate in the first place. Jesus came to this earth for a much more important mission than choosing a political party! However, if he were, in fact, a socialist, he would have chastised the five wise virgins for not giving of their oil to the foolish virgins.

See, what the liberals need to know is that it is very ill-advised (understatement) to twist the words of Jesus to gain political favor. Please do not confuse this article as any attempt on my part to say Jesus is a conservative. I most assuredly am not. I believe Jesus would not waste his time with such political discussions. Jesus called on all of us, to be charitable and take care of our fellow man, to feed the hungry, care for the sick, etc. He calls on us as individuals to conduct ourselves in this manner, and likewise, he explains that we will be judged individually on these things one day. No government entity will be judged on judgement day, it will be each, according to their own individual acts.

I am not attempting to preach a sermon today. I have not been called to be a preacher, but I felt it important to address this argument being made by socialist liberals, as I find it reprehensible that they would attempt to use the words of the bible to support their policies, yet, on a daily basis they are the ones who fight so fervently against prayer in schools, any religious display on any government property, and most importantly anything pro-life. Hypocrisy, thy name is liberal.