While living under complete Socialism is not good, healthy, or beneficial; likewise living under complete Capitalism is not good, healthy, or beneficial. Both should be taken and applied in moderation. The extremes of both Capitalism (Cronyism) and Socialism (Communism) are wrong!
If you think full-blown Capitalism is good, then you are an ignoramus. Are you aware that at the founding of America, 80% of the free labour force was self-employed? Today, less than 10% of people may be considered self-employed. They sell their labour to others for a cheap compensation. They sell themselves to help someone else get rich.
If you are ignorant enough to think that Christianity is compatible with Capitalism, I suggest you open your Bible and pay attention to what you actually read. Nowhere in the New Testament will you find teachings that it is all about you and your own self-gain. Spend some time paying attention to what is recorded in the book of Acts. Pay attention to 1 Corinthians 16:1-4, 2 Corinthians 8-9, 1 Timothy 5, et al. While there is nothing wrong with owning your own possessions and getting ahead, the selfish pursuit of possessions is not a Christian teaching. Compare what Christians in the 1500s to the 1800s owned compared to what many who call themselves "Christians" today own. Compare the social aspects of Christians from the 1500s to the 1800s with that of so-called "Christians" today.
Capitalists use Scripture to justify consumerism and materialism. Socialists use Scripture to justify entitlement and avoid personal responsibility. These are the bad elements of both Capitalism and Socialism. The fact is, as Christians we are supposed to be compassionate and we do have social responsibilities. The Bible teaches both—prescriptive and descriptive, in moderation.
The Bible teaches us to work hard and take personal responsibility for our actions and for our families. (Do not eisegete 1 Timothy 5:8 here by ripping the verse out of the context of the chapter and giving it a false interpretation!) It teaches us not to be lazy and to enjoy the work of our hands. The Bible does not teach that wealth is wrong, but that the love of it is. Our wealth should be the means of our generosity.
The Bible also teaches us to look after the poor, the sick and the vulnerable. It teaches us to share. It also teaches us to not judge whether we think people are deserving of our generosity or if they are truly worthy of help. (That is pride, arrogance, ego, and self-righteousness.) It teaches us to give until it hurts and to constantly be moving toward greater generosity. The Bible also teaches that our possessions are not our own and that we are only stewards of what belongs to God. It teaches that to whom much is given, much is required.
The good about Capitalism is that you should be able to pursue whatever course of living you want, and that competition between people in that course is a good thing. The bad about Capitalism is people trying to make a monopoloy of their course over anyone and everyone else who wants to do the same. Both Communism and Cronyism should be fought at every turn, and both Capitalism and Socialism should be applied in moderation.
If you think full-blown Capitalism is good, then you are an ignoramus. Are you aware that at the founding of America, 80% of the free labour force was self-employed? Today, less than 10% of people may be considered self-employed. They sell their labour to others for a cheap compensation. They sell themselves to help someone else get rich.
If you are ignorant enough to think that Christianity is compatible with Capitalism, I suggest you open your Bible and pay attention to what you actually read. Nowhere in the New Testament will you find teachings that it is all about you and your own self-gain. Spend some time paying attention to what is recorded in the book of Acts. Pay attention to 1 Corinthians 16:1-4, 2 Corinthians 8-9, 1 Timothy 5, et al. While there is nothing wrong with owning your own possessions and getting ahead, the selfish pursuit of possessions is not a Christian teaching. Compare what Christians in the 1500s to the 1800s owned compared to what many who call themselves "Christians" today own. Compare the social aspects of Christians from the 1500s to the 1800s with that of so-called "Christians" today.
Capitalists use Scripture to justify consumerism and materialism. Socialists use Scripture to justify entitlement and avoid personal responsibility. These are the bad elements of both Capitalism and Socialism. The fact is, as Christians we are supposed to be compassionate and we do have social responsibilities. The Bible teaches both—prescriptive and descriptive, in moderation.
The Bible teaches us to work hard and take personal responsibility for our actions and for our families. (Do not eisegete 1 Timothy 5:8 here by ripping the verse out of the context of the chapter and giving it a false interpretation!) It teaches us not to be lazy and to enjoy the work of our hands. The Bible does not teach that wealth is wrong, but that the love of it is. Our wealth should be the means of our generosity.
The Bible also teaches us to look after the poor, the sick and the vulnerable. It teaches us to share. It also teaches us to not judge whether we think people are deserving of our generosity or if they are truly worthy of help. (That is pride, arrogance, ego, and self-righteousness.) It teaches us to give until it hurts and to constantly be moving toward greater generosity. The Bible also teaches that our possessions are not our own and that we are only stewards of what belongs to God. It teaches that to whom much is given, much is required.
The good about Capitalism is that you should be able to pursue whatever course of living you want, and that competition between people in that course is a good thing. The bad about Capitalism is people trying to make a monopoloy of their course over anyone and everyone else who wants to do the same. Both Communism and Cronyism should be fought at every turn, and both Capitalism and Socialism should be applied in moderation.