Bible and Money: Why God Supports Free Market Capitalism

[Roughsoul1991]

I have studied this for years to determine what I should support within market systems throughout history to best respond to the issues of poverty, corruption, and health of society. I absolutely believe that free market capitalism is the best system that understands human nature and compliments a Biblical Worldview.

https://www.beliefnet.com/columnist...-why-god-supports-free-market-capitalism.html

 

[tourist]

Capitalism is preferable than communism that's for sure.

 

[Magenta]

The problem seems to be that some people interpret "free market" to mean no restrictions or regulations.

Also, those in power pay big bucks to stay in power regardless of the abuses they inflict and cover up.

Scripture supports owning property so communism is ruled out right there, since the state owns everything.

 

[Roughsoul1991]

The problem seems to be that some people interpret "free market" to mean no restrictions or regulations.

Also, those in power pay big bucks to stay in power regardless of the abuses they inflict and cover up.

Scripture supports owning property so communism is ruled out right there, since the state owns everything.

Very true. A free market does need limited regulations and law enforcement to protect the market from abuses of power. Every system in the world will still have the human sin factor.

The free market capitalism I could argue is best in design. Now obviously some governments still benefit from such theories and still find ways to restrict it. Some governments hurt it with too many restrictions while enforcement against corruption seems to be bypassed.

I simply believe even though no human system could ever be perfect but it is the best system for prosperity.

Here are a few interesting statistics.

https://www.dailywire.com/news/5-statistics-showing-how-capitalism-solves-poverty-aaron-bandler

 

[Runningman]

Abundance of wealth and resources is the only thing that keeps people from mobbing up and ransacking towns and cities. So in free market capitalism people are as successful as they want to be. There are exceptions so some socialized programs supplement what finances people are unable or unwilling to compensate for.

On the other hand, we got to where we are now because people are constantly striving toward simplifying life in order to make survival as easy as possible. That is why people started farming and inventing tools to do the work for them. Eventually we will become entirely automated, making the human hand nearly obsolete. So if the means meets the end then having daily food, water, clothing, and shelter would be wanting for nothing and the definition of abundance. Anyone who lives in abundance is rich because every one of their needs is met.

 

[TheIndianGirl]

Not sure about which economic system God supports, but He definitely wants us to be very generous and share (at least based on the NT). In the OT, especially in Proverbs, there appears to be more capitalism and more responsibility for our actions/behavior (paraphrasing, the lazy shall not eat, those who sleep too much will be poor, etc.).

 

[EleventhHour]

Not sure where we see capitalism in scripture ...

I have studied this for years to determine what I should support within market systems throughout history to best respond to the issues of poverty, corruption, and health of society. I absolutely believe that free market capitalism is the best system that understands human nature and compliments a Biblical Worldview.

https://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/godonomics/2011/06/bible-and-

I have studied this for years to determine what I should support within market systems throughout history to best respond to the issues of poverty, corruption, and health of society. I absolutely believe that free market capitalism is the best system that understands human nature and compliments a Biblical Worldview.

https://www.beliefnet.com/columnist...-why-god-supports-free-market-capitalism.html

money-why-god-supports-free-market-capitalism.html

To say God supports capitalism...(not taking about property rights, market economy etc. , ) would mean to me that it occurred in scripture, however I have not read any situation where there is an example of capitalism?

 

[Roughsoul1991]

Not sure where we see capitalism in scripture ...


To say God supports capitalism...(not taking about property rights, market economy etc. , ) would mean to me that it occurred in scripture, however I have not read any situation where there is an example of capitalism?

You will not find the word trinity or Jesus literally say I am God. As also you will not find the exact word capitalism. But in context and scriptural support we can come to such conclusions.

Capitalism is an economic system based on the private ownership of the means of production and their operation for profit.

I believe private ownership, using this as means to sustain ourselves, to help poverty one must have excess to give. Scripture talks about a farmer should leave the corners of their fields for the hungry. Also 10% to the church which is best fit to help the poor, the sick, or the lost. Then everything else went to profit.

There are many examples of God's blessings within private property and how the people of God often became quite wealthy in doing so. Job being one example. God even promising if His people would follow him they would be blessed in the field. Also that people must provide for family. That if able bodied person doesn't work they shouldn't eat. Scriptures on obeying neighbors land markers. Scriptures on protecting and judging the act of burglary.

Profit isnt bad. It was the love of money that was bad.

The Bible gives us insight on every concept in life.

A free market involves liberty. Liberty is defended in scripture and mentions one should secure their freedom if possible.

There is better incentive to work if one has liberty but also has the ability to sustain and support their families.

Scripture talks about taxes too. We should give to Caesar what is Caesars and give to God what is required. Scripture also shines light on those who abuse tax rates and how the people hated them.

 

[Roughsoul1991]

Not sure about which economic system God supports, but He definitely wants us to be very generous and share (at least based on the NT). In the OT, especially in Proverbs, there appears to be more capitalism and more responsibility for our actions/behavior (paraphrasing, the lazy shall not eat, those who sleep too much will be poor, etc.).

Yes definitely. We must look at the theory of a economical system because it is the theory I defend. The definition of the system. Because a country may not fully be following such a example and may be hurting the outcome that it could produce.

 

[Joe]

I have studied this for years to determine what I should support within market systems throughout history to best respond to the issues of poverty, corruption, and health of society. I absolutely believe that free market capitalism is the best system that understands human nature and compliments a Biblical Worldview.

https://www.beliefnet.com/columnist...-why-god-supports-free-market-capitalism.html

Very glad to know there are supports for "free market" in Bible

 

[Roughsoul1991]

Very glad to know there are supports for "free market" in Bible

Better than slavery lol

 

[Moses_Young]

I have studied this for years to determine what I should support within market systems throughout history to best respond to the issues of poverty, corruption, and health of society. I absolutely believe that free market capitalism is the best system that understands human nature and compliments a Biblical Worldview.

https://www.beliefnet.com/columnist...-why-god-supports-free-market-capitalism.html

I'm certainly no communist, but capitalism has a slight connotation that it's not immoral for one to oppress his fellow man if one has the means/capital, that "financial might is right". The bible doesn't support this, but does support a free market economic system.

The only times the Israelites were banned from having weapons was when the Philistines were running the show.

 

[Roughsoul1991]

I'm certainly no communist, but capitalism has a slight connotation that it's not immoral for one to oppress his fellow man if one has the means/capital, that "financial might is right". The bible doesn't support this, but does support a free market economic system.

The only times the Israelites were banned from having weapons was when the Philistines were running the show.

But that isnt the definition of capitalism. Oppression comes from sin. Any economical system deals with sin within fallen humanity.

 

[EleventhHour]

You will not find the word trinity or Jesus literally say I am God. As also you will not find the exact word capitalism. But in context and scriptural support we can come to such conclusions.

Capitalism is an economic system based on the private ownership of the means of production and their operation for profit.

I believe private ownership, using this as means to sustain ourselves, to help poverty one must have excess to give. Scripture talks about a farmer should leave the corners of their fields for the hungry. Also 10% to the church which is best fit to help the poor, the sick, or the lost. Then everything else went to profit.

There are many examples of God's blessings within private property and how the people of God often became quite wealthy in doing so. Job being one example. God even promising if His people would follow him they would be blessed in the field. Also that people must provide for family. That if able bodied person doesn't work they shouldn't eat. Scriptures on obeying neighbors land markers. Scriptures on protecting and judging the act of burglary.

Profit isnt bad. It was the love of money that was bad.

The Bible gives us insight on every concept in life.

A free market involves liberty. Liberty is defended in scripture and mentions one should secure their freedom if possible.

There is better incentive to work if one has liberty but also has the ability to sustain and support their families.

Scripture talks about taxes too. We should give to Caesar what is Caesars and give to God what is required. Scripture also shines light on those who abuse tax rates and how the people hated them.

Capitalism is about capital, a process and the future evaluations of capital
I have not really seen anywhere where this is in the Bible.
While yes it requires liberty to occur as an economic concept it is not present in scripture
This does not mean I think "capitalism" is wrong, as a process it has created tremendous wealth, yet capital requires the creation of money in fiat system, future evaluations, which is definitely not in scripture.

In fact one could make a strong case against a fiat system of money based on scriptural principles.

 

[Roughsoul1991]

Capitalism is about capital, a process and the future evaluations of capital
I have not really seen anywhere where this is in the Bible.
While yes it requires liberty to occur as an economic concept it is not present in scripture
This does not mean I think "capitalism" is wrong, as a process it has created tremendous wealth, yet capital requires the creation of money in fiat system, future evaluations, which is definitely not in scripture.

In fact one could make a strong case against a fiat system of money based on scriptural principles.

Not necessarily. That was just what government reverted to. As I said I'm simply looking at the theory or definition.

I agree though a system with no value behind it is a system that can easily collapse especially under extreme debt.

 

[EleventhHour]

Not necessarily. That was just what government reverted to. As I said I'm simply looking at the theory or definition.

I agree though a system with no value behind it is a system that can easily collapse especially under extreme debt.

The fiat system actually works ... it is the "events" of the world that cause the problems... being over leveraged creates wealth... which is the upside, the downside is when an event occurs then it is bad.

 

[Joe]

Being natural is the best system

 

[Roughsoul1991]

The fiat system actually works ... it is the "events" of the world that cause the problems... being over leveraged creates wealth... which is the upside, the downside is when an event occurs then it is bad.

I suppose I just prefer a value system like our Government once had. But I guess when universally a value is set on a fiat system then it works but I just see it as dangerous.

Because the theory of capitalism once meant value in money, not fiat money manipulated by a central bank. Capitalism cherishes voluntary contracts and interest rates that are determined by savings, not credit creation by a central bank.

As to why when this system hits hard times, people blame capitalism but technically what is called capitalism today is faded version of the theory.

 

[Roughsoul1991]

Being natural is the best system

What you mean by natural lol? Live off the land, naked, no power kind of natural?

 

[EleventhHour]

I suppose I just prefer a value system like our Government once had. But I guess when universally a value is set on a fiat system then it works but I just see it as dangerous.

Because the theory of capitalism once meant value in money, not fiat money manipulated by a central bank. Capitalism cherishes voluntary contracts and interest rates that are determined by savings, not credit creation by a central bank.

As to why when this system hits hard times, people blame capitalism but technically what is called capitalism today is faded version of the theory.

Not sure if it a faded version, just a very, very complex system..... far from from the initial beginnings of the acquisition of investment to spur production.