Dear Chuck,
As a former professor, I encountered many young people who were skeptical of capitalism. We need more people to expand their understanding to protect the economic philosophy upon which this nation was founded. Can you give some biblical support for capitalism?
Protector of Economic Freedom
Dear Protector of Economic Freedom,
I am happy to add my perspective to your efforts to defend and protect free-market economies.
America’s founders aimed at creating a prosperous, democratic nation that promoted private enterprise and protected property rights as essential to political and personal liberties. The problem lies in the fact that people have not been properly educated in economic history. Gratitude for all America offers has been overshadowed by complainers and disruptors of society, who often know very little about how nations suffer under the alternatives to a free-market economy.
As William Adkison says in his article “Capitalistic Criticisms”:
“ Capitalism is about the conditions and system that enable the pursuit of happiness spoken of by Jefferson in the Declaration. It’s about allowing individuals to grow and flourish, to have protected rights, and to pursue their own ends. Capitalism uniquely provides a structure where transactions between individuals seemingly create profits for both parties out of nothing. Capitalism is not perfect … But that does not mean it is not the best system available to us … The innovations, technologies, improved lifestyles, increased lifespans, and greater ability to give charitably to others — all these elements of our current world — were made achievable by capitalism.”
Many well-meaning Christians often confuse the role of the Church and government when advocating for socialism as a means to serve the poor. Serving the poor is a right, responsibility, and joy of the individual and the Church. Governments are responsible for protecting citizens’ rights to allow the people to flourish. Flourishing eliminates poverty, while charity from individuals and the Church helps those who cannot work.
“If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10 NIV).
The Apostle Paul emphasized the importance of personal responsibility within a community: resourcefulness, work, and fulfillment of the creation mandate to “be fruitful and multiply.”
“A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich” (Proverbs 10:4 ESV).
Throughout Scripture, from the first pages of Genesis, God supplies men and women resources for their good and the good of others. Responsibility is given to the individual, not delegated to the government. This upends the very premise of democratic socialism for collective, centralized control of solving the wealth gap. The parable of the good Samaritan is another example of taking personal responsibility for the welfare of our neighbor.
Most young people are uncomfortable with the “wealth gap” and believe in redistribution of funds from the rich to the poor. Under a socialist economic model, people have limited ownership of property and businesses. The government controls and regulates the use of profits and personal property.
Anti-capitalists argue that socialism builds a kinder, gentler society. The government decides who gets what in the name of helping the less fortunate. This assumes that good-hearted people — the government — seize assets of the less worthy to give to the more deserving. They pick winners and losers and decide the definition of deserving. Those who work and achieve can be demonized as unworthy, while those who contribute nothing can be rewarded. Radical demands in the form of ever-increasing taxes on the wealthy become common.
I’ve traveled the world and seen the devastation of government-controlled economies. These economic philosophies are contrary to what the Bible teaches. God provides mankind with resources and holds them responsible for how they’re used. He tells us to work and produce so that we can generously give to the less fortunate from our earnings. While we are called to pay taxes, the government is never charged with the same responsibilities as the individual.
However, capitalism, like any other economic system, is flawed because of man’s sinful nature. God’s Word speaks to the heart of each individual and calls for turning from selfishness, greed, coveting, and dishonesty. This is the system He designed to guard against the abuse of a free market.
Christ came to set us free from sin and death and from yokes of oppression. We must celebrate our freedoms and the joy of the blessings of honest, hard work. Engaging with others in a common purpose, whether in business or community, combats destructive competition by promoting a spirit of cooperation and support. By protecting our freedoms, we help others benefit as well. Success must be seen through the lens of relationships, faithfulness, and purpose rather than financial status.
High schools, community colleges, and universities have the responsibility of preparing students by expanding their ability to produce in constantly evolving environments. They can remove the fear and encourage innovation with critical thinking skills, in addition to basic development and training. We must help our society understand that they are capable of making a positive impact through their work so long as we have freedom of economic decisions, ownership, and stewardship of the fruit of our labors.
I join you in praying that we, followers of Christ, will protect this important freedom.