Amidst the fire and fury over Washington’s poor stewardship of our tax dollars comes more distressing news about how Christians view America’s ailing capitalist/free market economic system.
A recent Public Religion Research Institute (a left-leaning organization) poll shows that 44 percent of Americans believe a capitalist and free market economy is incompatible with Christian values, while just 36 percent say it is compatible. What is even more disturbing is that 46 percent of CHRISTIANS believe a capitalist and free market economy is incompatible with Christian values, while 38 percent say it is. We are now reaping the harvest from the Keynesian/socialist economic theory that dominates our college classrooms and is employed through wealth redistribution and class warfare policies promoted by President Obama and the allied liberal news media. Sadly, this is another example of what happens when the Church abdicates its authority to government and does not do its job of articulating a Christian worldview to God’s people.
Capitalism and free markets are terms not found in the Bible and no economic system is inherently Christian, but the sinful nature of man and the idea of equal justice for all people are in Scripture and they are central to the way Christians ought to think about economics. Christian economic theory must begin with an assumption: man is sinful (Rom. 3:23).This is the opposite of how socialist and humanist economic theory — like Keynesian economics — views man. Biblical justice implies impartiality in protection of human rights, while socialist and humanist concepts enforce strict equality, particularly in outcome. Socialists rob people of rights because they ignore differences in dedication and God-given talent among individuals. Government-induced redistribution of wealth, in whatever form, flies in the face of freedom because it is coercive.
Conversely, in a capitalist/free market economy individuals have the freedom to buy, sell and trade freely, using their God-given talents to accumulate wealth – not to become rich in and of itself, but to give generously to others and thus bring honor and glory to God (Ps. 112 and 2 Cor. 9:9). So what about the poor, whom Jesus said would always be with us? There is nothing governments can do better than the Church to help the poor. But the Church has abdicated its authority in this area to government and the result is increased misery. Under President George W. Bush’s faith-based initiatives, homelessness actually decreased during his presidency. Since President Obama has taken office and the government has become more active, homelessness has increased. And would someone explain to me how extending unemployment benefits for nearly two years squares with Exodus 34:21?
The Bible makes clear that the concept of ownership of privately owned property, hard work (Prov. 16:26) and even wealth are acceptable before God. The commandment, “Thou shalt not steal” is a declaration of the right to private property. Private ownership and stewardship of property is assumed to be the proper state of affairs in the Bible (Deut. 8, Ruth 2, Isaiah 65:21-22, Jer. 32:42-44, Micah 4:1-4, Acts 5:1-4, Eph. 4:28). David Noebel says the use of private property to serve others can only occur in a society in which property is privately owned. Biblical stewardship views God as Owner of all things (Ps. 24:1) and man – individually and collectively – as His steward.
Liberals attempt to muddy the debate waters by claiming that capitalism and free markets encourage greed. I would ask such people: Was Josif Stalin and the Soviet Union greedy? Was Mao Zedong and China greedy? The world runs on individuals pursuing their separate interests. The great achievements of civilization have not come from government planners. Albert Einstein did not construct the theory of relativity on an order from a government bureaucrat. Henry Ford did not revolutionize the auto industry because of the stroke of some government bureaucrat’s pen. In the annals of history no economic system has been employed — except capitalism — that has allowed people the opportunity to escape widespread poverty.
Liberal television host Phil Donahue once asked the great American economist Milton Friedman if capitalism rewards virtue?
Friedman replied: “Did Hitler reward virtue? Does an American president reward virtue? Or is his appointments based on a person’s political clout? Where do you find these angels to organize society for us? Why I don’t even trust you for that.”
In the end, a capitalistic/free market economy is the most compatible with the Bible. Capitalism respects the idea of equality before the law. As Noebel explains, the Bible grants man private property rights and calls on him to be a good steward. “It is the free enterprise system that affords man the most opportunity to act as a responsible steward by creating wealth and opportunity for others. The competition in free markets works according to the principle of comparative advantage, which affirms the inherent worth of every individual.”
DON HINKLE / editor