CAPITALISM

Someone has done the following comparison of “capitalism” to other political “isms”–

• Socialism: If you have two cows, you give one to your neighbor.
• Communism: If you have two cows, you give them to the government and the government gives you some milk.
• Fascism: If you have two cows, you keep the cows and give the milk to the government; then the government sells you some milk.
• New Deal-ism: If you have two cows, you shoot one and milk the other, then you pour the milk down the drain.
• Nazism: If you have two cows, the government shoots you and keeps the cow.
• Capitalism: If you have two cows, you sell one and buy a bull. Your herd multiplies and the economy grows.

The idea of a capitalistic society has been debated lately in the news. It is especially scorned by the Democrat/Socialist congresswoman from New York—Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.  She claims capitalism is “irredeemable.”

Is true that capitalism may fail if misused. The downward spiral stair case looks like this:

1. Step 1—America began as a CHRISTIAN nation.  Capitalistic enterprise is taught in several places in the Bible.  For example, Ephesians 4:28— “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.” Capitalism is taught in the parable of the laborers in the vineyard (Mt. 20:1-16). Capitalism is based on initiative, character, and freedom. Properly understood, capitalism is a system where individuals are free to own property and invest their energy and initiative in economic pursuits.  It is the only economic system consistent with personal liberty and responsibility (2 Thess. 3:10-12).
2. Step 2—Christian freedom paved the way for CAPITALISM (connected with character and freedom). A nation is free when its individual citizens accept the responsibility for their own welfare.  If the people turn that responsibility over to the government by de­mands for government services and regulations, the nation loses it’s freedom.
3. Step 3—For capitalism to remain, we must assume the responsibility of COMMISSION, CHARITY, and CHARACTER.
4. Step 4—When we neglect commission, charity, and character the result will be COMFORT and COMPLACENCY.
5. Step 5—Comfort and complacency leads to COMPROMISE and the deterioration of character.
6. Step 6—Compromise is accompanied by leniency towards CRIME.
7. Step 7—Being soft on crime increases CORRUPTION in all areas of society.
8. Step 8—Corruption ends in world-wide CHAOS.

This is the history of America IF our focus is not upon step #3. We must honestly ask ourselves, “What am I doing with my capitalism?”  We must never move to Step 4!