Ask the Pastor 40

Is Capitalism Christian?

In the attempt to defend socialism and argue in against capitalism, people will point out the discrepancies between the rich and the poor. In a capitalistic society there are three classes of social economic status, the rich, the middle class and the poor. The attraction of socialism is the deleting of the middle class and the rich and thereby making everyone economically equal; from each one according to his ability and to each one according to his need. What actually happens in socialism, which leads to communism, is the elimination of the middle class, the shrinking of the rich class and the vast majority are poor. From the Old Testament to the New, the Bible has always stated and defended the private property of people and their right to receive the rewards from their labor on their property. The Mosaic law protected private property as the inheritance to each of the tribes and then of the families in the promised land. The Proverbs are filled with instruction concerning work, benefitting from our labor and then being good stewards of what we have earned. Our Lord used parables of those who owned vineyards etc. and their right to receive the benefits of the harvest and the right to pay wages to workers as the owner saw fit (Mt. 20:1-16). In the Epistles the theme is the same, that he who does not work does not eat and we are to make enough money to distribute to the poor. In the instructions on giving, we are to give as the Lord has prospered us (I Cor. 16:2). The only economic system whereby we can work so that we prosper and can provide for the needs of the poor and to support the Church is through capitalism. So, yes capitalism is Christian because it is biblical.

Have questions about the Bible? Send them to Dr. Greg Koehn at gak4850@gmail.com and read the answer here in this article.