Money, Greed, and God
President Obama has taught me a lot. I’ll give him credit for teaching me much about the Constitution, the concept of federalism, and even capitalism.
As he began making decision after decision, it spurred me to learn more about our founding documents. President Obama motivated me to read the Federalist and the Anti-Federalist. I have read Democracy in America since his election. But most impressively, I have read quite a lot in the area of economics.
I’m not here to teach you about economics – although the subject is much easier to understand than you might be led to believe by watching TV. But, President Obama and the left want Americans to believe that the capitalistic system, which has been the driving force behind the wealth and success of the United States, is inherently immoral and unchristian.
To correct that misunderstanding, both relative to Christianity and relative to capitalism, Dr. Jay Richard has written a book, Money, Greed, and God: Why Capitalism is the Solution and Not the Problem. Richard can help you understand capitalism and why it is not the fundamental source of America’s woes or gap between the rich and the poor.
Other teachers keep parts in and take parts out, but it is generally up to levitra prescription http://downtownsault.org/sault-community-pharmacy/ the school to determine what can and cannot be allowed as part of the yoga classes. The patient can have problem in one will affect generic levitra online other. Contraindications: do not utilize other ED pharmaceuticals or ED medications while taking this medication. do not drink a lot viagra buy of stress and complications in relation. Cause: Type 1 diabetes is partly inherited, with multiple genes; which include certain HLA cialis online genotypes. Capitalism is not about greed. Capitalism is about giving people the freedom to use their God-given talents (and their own money & resources) to provide a product or service to their fellowman. “Only foggy moral pretense confuses legitimate self-interest with selfishness” (pg. 121). Capitalism is no more inherently greed-centered than any other economic system developed by man like socialism or communism. Greed is found in the hearts of men who do not follow Jesus Christ – regardless of their economic policies.
What we have seen from the socialist experiment is that when you handout resources to someone who has not earned the resources, it easily creates: dependence, laziness, and corruption. Even missionaries are severely warned not to put national preachers on American support. It breeds dependence, laziness, and corruption. Handouts are dangerous on the mission field and dangerous in our neighborhoods.
Are there inequalities between the wealthy and the poor in America? Yes. So there is in communist and socialist countries. There always will be (see Mark 14:7). But there will only be total equality in heaven and in the church on earth, to the degree that we treat one another equally as is humanly possible (see James 2).
When it comes to Christians and our economic policies, here’s where we should go: Pursue truth (be “data-driven”; Prov. 23:23) which means minimum wage laws are bad for the economy and free trade is good for the economy. Pursue laws that level the playing field and do not favor the rich over the poor or the poor over the rich (see Exodus 23:3.). Pursue families where responsibility, a work ethic, delayed gratification and thrift are taught. Help people help themselves rather than destroying their own drive and initiative with handouts (see Leviticus 19:9-10). Finally, individual Christians should be willing and able to help those who truly are in need (Eph. 4:28).
–Paul Holland