The Bible mandates free market capitalism. It is anti-socialist contrary to what Socialist/Marxist will tell you
The Bible
mandates free market capitalism. It is anti-socialist. Th...commandment:
"Thou shalt not steal, except by majority vote." "Economic
democracy" is the system whereby two wolves and a sheep vote on what to
have for dinner. Christian socialists and defenders of economic planning by
state bureaucrats deeply resent this interpretation of their ethical position.
They resent it because it's accurate. When Christianity adheres to the judicial
specifics of the Bible, it produces free market capitalism.
On the other hand, when Christianity rejects the judicial
specifics of the Bible, it produces socialism or some politically run hybrid
"middle way" between capitalism and socialism, where politicians and
bureaucrats make the big decisions about how people's wealth will be allocated.
Economic growth then slows or is reversed. Always.
Free market capitalism produces long-term economic growth.
Socialism and middle-way economic interventionism by the state produce poverty
and bureaucracy. If your goal is to keep poor people poor, generation after
generation, you should promote socialism. But be sure to call it economic democracy in order to fool the voters.
The Bible is an anti-socialist document.
Socialist propagandists for over four centuries have claimed that the Bible
teaches socialism, but we have yet to see a single Bible commentary written by
a socialist. If the Bible teaches socialism, where is the expository evidence?
When I say that the Bible mandates a moral and legal social
order that inevitably produces free market capitalism, I have the evidence to
back up my position. My critics -- critics of capitalism -- do not.
The next time you hear someone say that the Bible teaches
anything but free market capitalism, ask him or her which Bible commentary
demonstrates this. You will get a blank stare followed by a lot of verbal tap-dancing
about "the ultimate ethic of the Bible" or "the upholding of the
poor in the Bible." You will be given a lot of blah, blah, blah.Blah,
blah,
********** LIBERALS, SOCIALIST, MARXIST: ***************
blah is not a valid
substitute for biblical exposition.
Fact: There has
never been an expository Bible commentary that shows that the Bible teaches
anything other than free market capitalism.
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh you want references right? No Problem!
Bible Verses aboutCapitalism
2 Thessalonians 3:10 ESV / 47 helpful votes
For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.
Proverbs 31:9 ESV / 23 helpful votes
Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.
Acts 4:34-37 ESV / 22 helpful votes
There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.
Amos 8:4-7 ESV / 16 helpful votes
Hear this, you who trample on the needy and bring the poor of the land to an end, saying, “When will the new moon be over, that we may sell grain? And the Sabbath, that we may offer wheat for sale, that we may make the ephah small and the shekel great and deal deceitfully with false balances, that we may buy the poor for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals and sell the chaff of the wheat?” The Lord has sworn by the pride of Jacob: “Surely I will never forget any of their deeds.
Philippians 2:1-30 ESV / 11 helpful votes
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, ...
Zechariah 11:12 ESV / 11 helpful votes
Then I said to them, “If it seems good to you, give me my wages; but if not, keep them.” And they weighed out as my wages thirty pieces of silver.
Matthew 19:23 ESV / 9 helpful votes
And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven.
Romans 13:1-7 ESV / 8 helpful votes
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. ...
Leviticus 19:15 ESV / 8 helpful votes
“You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor.
1 Timothy 6:4-10 ESV / 7 helpful votes
He is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. ...
Acts 4:32 ESV / 7 helpful votes
Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.
Luke 14:33 ESV / 7 helpful votes
So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.
Mark 12:17 ESV / 7 helpful votes
Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” And they marveled at him.
Proverbs 21:20 ESV / 7 helpful votes
Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man's dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.
Luke 12:27-34 ESV / 6 helpful votes
Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. ...
Proverbs 3:9-10 ESV / 6 helpful votes
Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.
Philippians 2:1-4 ESV / 5 helpful votes
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Matthew 25:14-28 ESV / 5 helpful votes
“For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. ...
Luke 18:25 ESV / 4 helpful votes
For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”
Luke 16:13 ESV / 4 helpful votes
No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
Mark 10:25 ESV / 4 helpful votes
It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”
Matthew 25:29 ESV / 4 helpful votes
For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.
Matthew 19:24 ESV / 4 helpful votes
Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”
Matthew 6:24 ESV / 4 helpful votes
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
Leviticus 25:23-24 ESV / 4 helpful votes
“The land shall not be sold in perpetuity, for the land is mine. For you are strangers and sojourners with me. And in all the country you possess, you shall allow a redemption of the land.
Leviticus 25:13-17 ESV / 4 helpful votes
“In this year of jubilee each of you shall return to his property. And if you make a sale to your neighbor or buy from your neighbor, you shall not wrong one another. You shall pay your neighbor according to the number of years after the jubilee, and he shall sell to you according to the number of years for crops. If the years are many, you shall increase the price, and if the years are few, you shall reduce the price, for it is the number of the crops that he is selling to you. You shall not wrong one another, but you shall fear your God, for I am the Lord your God.
Ecclesiastes 9:5-6 ESV / 2 helpful votes
For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten. Their love and their hate and their envy have already perished, and forever they have no more share in all that is done under the sun.
Proverbs 31:6-7 ESV / 2 helpful votes
Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress; let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.
Psalm 104:14-15 ESV / 2 helpful votes
You cause the grass to grow for the livestock and plants for man to cultivate, that he may bring forth food from the earth and wine to gladden the heart of man, oil to make his face shine and bread to strengthen man's heart.
Exodus 34:1-35 ESV / 2 helpful votes
The Lord said to Moses, “Cut for yourself two tablets of stone like the first, and I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke. Be ready by the morning, and come up in the morning to Mount Sinai, and present yourself there to me on the top of the mountain. No one shall come up with you, and let no one be seen throughout all the mountain. Let no flocks or herds graze opposite that mountain.” So Moses cut two tablets of stone like the first. And he rose early in the morning and went up on Mount Sinai, as the Lord had commanded him, and took in his hand two tablets of stone. The Lord descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord. ...
Exodus 20:1-26 ESV / 2 helpful votes
And God spoke all these words, saying, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. “You shall have no other gods before me. “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, ...
Genesis 27:20 ESV / 2 helpful votes
But Isaac said to his son, “How is it that you have found it so quickly, my son?” He answered, “Because the Lord your God granted me success.”
Genesis 1:26-28 ESV / 2 helpful votes
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
Romans 13:1-14 ESV / 1 helpful vote
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. ...
Ezekiel 26:14 ESV / 1 helpful vote
I will make you a bare rock. You shall be a place for the spreading of nets. You shall never be rebuilt, for I am the Lord; I have spoken, declares the Lord God.
Isaiah 45:7 ESV / 1 helpful vote
I form light and create darkness, I make well-being and create calamity, I am the Lord, who does all these things.
Ruth 1:1-22 ESV / 1 helpful vote
In the days when the judges ruled there was a famine in the land, and a man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons. The name of the man was Elimelech and the name of his wife Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They went into the country of Moab and remained there. But Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two sons. These took Moabite wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. They lived there about ten years, and both Mahlon and Chilion died, so that the woman was left without her two sons and her husband. ...
Capitalism Or Socialism: Which One Is Biblical??
The recent support of socialism by many Christians makes one wonder if the Bible really says anything about economic and political policies. While many contest that the Bible commands people to take care of the poor, most Christians seem to lean toward capitalism. In addition, the Scriptures stress the fact that the lazy deserve their poverty while the hard workers warrant greater reward. How does the Christian reconcile all of these verses? Does the Bible support any view at all?
We do know that the God cares about all of his creatures, including the sparrows (Matt. 10:29). Therefore it follows that His Word includes many references to the poor, exerting the more fortunate to share their wealth with those less privileged (Gal. 2:10). In fact, Proverbs, the book that emphasizes hard work and fair gain, includes a sober warning concerning the treatment of the poor: “He that oppresseth the poor to increase riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want” (22:16). Clearly God cares about all of people regardless of their station in life. In fact, one might even conclude that capitalism fails to work without the proper biblical worldview. For instance, the Vanderbilts and the Rockefellers labored intelligently and ended up building a fortune. Yet when asked what he wanted in terms of possessions, John D. Rockefeller always replied that he wanted just a bit more. Instead of voluntarily helping the poor who struggled about them, these individuals spent their money entirely on their own comforts.
In contrast, early believers “were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that aught of the things which he possessed was his own’ but they had all things in common” (Acts 4:32). They share their things with the poor around them, making it appear that the Bible condones socialism. However, this account contains several important differences from the socialism of today. In the biblical account, no government steps in, and the people give of their own free will. Conversely, true socialism consists of a government’s involvement in mandatory collection of money from the prosperous and the redistribution of this to the less fortunate. Thus, contrary to common belief, this passage shuns socialism and advocates personal generosity.
Any basic study of the Bible reveals the fact that God looks favorably upon honest, intelligent work. Romans 12:11 exhorts Christians to work “not slothful in business.” Similarly, Proverbs 24:33 through 34 clearly says that “Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall they poverty come as one that travalleth; and they want as an armed man.” God makes it clear that he hates laziness, and even a slight sign of languor results in poverty. Thus, while the Bible supports sharing with the truly unfortunate, it leaves the indolent to their fate. In contrast, the socialistic government spreads the wealth around to everyone, regardless of an individual’s work ethic.
One easily realizes that God advocates sharing one’s wealth with the poor. The key, however, lies in the individual. By ignoring the supposed role of the government in allotting taxes and bailouts, God gives this duty to His Church. Thus, the Bible fails to advocate socialism in its pure sense. On the contrary, several places in Scripture show the direct reward of hard work. This clearly indicates that God approves of capitalism to some extent. The catch, however, comes when the reader realizes that God only advocates this economic policy if the prosperous support the poor through the Church. One might even argue that capitalism without the help of the Church would utterly fail because of the greed of individuals. However, if people obey the divine commandment of God, the poor would discover the effective, constant refuge that capitalism offers.
The Bible mandates free market capitalism. It is anti-socialist. The proof is here: 10,000 pages of exposition, verse by verse. Free.
The essence of democratic socialism is this re-written version of God's commandment: "Thou shalt not steal, except by majority vote." "Economic democracy" is the system whereby two wolves and a sheep vote on what to have for dinner. Christian socialists and defenders of economic planning by state bureaucrats deeply resent this interpretation of their ethical position. They resent it because it's accurate. When Christianity adheres to the judicial specifics of the Bible, it produces free market capitalism. On the other hand, when Christianity rejects the judicial specifics of the Bible, it produces socialism or some politically run hybrid "middle way" between capitalism and socialism, where politicians and bureaucrats make the big decisions about how people's wealth will be allocated. Economic growth then slows or is reversed. Always. Free market capitalism produces long-term economic growth. Socialism and middle-way economic interventionism by the state produce poverty and bureaucracy. If your goal is to keep poor people poor, generation after generation, you should promote socialism. But be sure to call it economic democracy in order to fool the voters. The Bible is an anti-socialist document. Socialist propagandists for over four centuries have claimed that the Bible teaches socialism, but we have yet to see a single Bible commentary written by a socialist. If the Bible teaches socialism, where is the expository evidence? When I say that the Bible mandates a moral and legal social order that inevitably produces free market capitalism, I have the evidence to back up my position. My critics -- critics of capitalism -- do not. The next time you hear someone say that the Bible teaches anything but free market capitalism, ask him or her which Bible commentary demonstrates this. You will get a blank stare followed by a lot of verbal tap-dancing about "the ultimate ethic of the Bible" or "the upholding of the poor in the Bible." You will be given a lot of blah, blah, blah. Blah, blah, blah is not a valid substitute for biblical exposition. Fact: There has never been an expository Bible commentary that shows that the Bible teaches anything other than free market capitalism. Beginning in April, 1973, I began writing a verse-by-verse commentary on the economics of the Bible. The first essay, on Genesis 1:26-28, appeared in the May, 1973 issue of the Chalcedon Report. An economic commentary on the Bible had never been attempted before. I discuss only those passages that relate to economics. No one before me had ever attempted to write a Bible commentary on a specific academic discipline. I hope mine becomes a model for others. I have continued working on this project ever since. I limited my writing to one essay per month from 1973 to 1976. Beginning in the summer of 1977, I began working 10 hours per week, 50 weeks per year on this project. I have needed every minute. So far, I have written commentaries on every book except Esther and the Song of Solomon. I found nothing in Esther. I do not expect to find much in the Song of Solomon. Some are still in manuscript form: the epistles, the prophets, Psalms, the historical books, and Ecclesiastes. They will be typeset by the middle of 2010 if things go well. As for indexing, I make no promises about anything that is not yet on-line. In addition, I have written over half a dozen books that are in effect extended appendixes to one or more of these commentaries. These are posted on-line for free: www.GaryNorth.com/freebooks. Dominion and Common Grace (1987) The books covering Genesis through Leviticus (the short version) are still in print. So are the seven support volumes. Order them here: 800-628-9460. (Note: I have never taken royalties on any of these books. They were written and printed as part of my ministry, the Institute for Christian Economics.) You can download them here, read parts or all of each of them, and then decide if you want the book on your shelf. Leviticus (the long version), Deuteronomy, and the New Testament commentaries are only available in PDF files. Eventually, I may make them available through the new print on demand (POD) technology: one book at a time. Until then, you must download each file, save it to your hard disk drive (recommended: File> SaveAs...), name it, and print it out. For an introduction to each of my economic commentaries, click on the links to the following descriptive articles. First, however, is my brief, easy-to-read introduction to biblical economics, Inherit the Earth. |
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ISAIAH 9:6-7), HAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS "DARKENED AND EVIL
WORLD'S FINANCIAL SYSTEMS".........BECAUSE SATAN THE DEVIL IS THE "RULER OF
THE WORLD( 1 JOHN 5:19, EPHESIANS 6:11-12, EPHESIANS 2:2,
2 CORINTHIANS 4:4-6, MATTHEW 6:24) AND HE AND HIS AGENTS, OR HIS CHILDREN
MAKE-UP THE RULES AND REGULATIONS THAT GOVERN FINANCE( JOHN 8:44,
1 JOHN 3:8-12.
JESUS CHRIST REFERRED TO SOME OF THE JEWS AS "MONEYCHANGERS"(
FINANCIAL EXPERTS, THEY KNOW ABOUT RULES AND REGULATIONS OF FINANCE,
IN THIS EVIL WORLD).............MATTHEW 21:12, MARK 11:15.
JESUS CHRIST MADE IT VERY CLEAR, THAT "HIS KINGDOM GOVERNMENT OF
RIGHTEOUSNESS IS NO PART OF THIS WORLD"( JOHN 18:36-38; ISAIAH 9:6-7,
MATTHEW 6:5-34; REVELATION 21:1-8). THEREFORE, GOD THE FATHER HAS
GRANTED "POWER TO SINNERS IN THE VISIBLE( ROMANS 13:1-8; JOHN 19:9-11,
1 PETER 2:13-17) REALM TO ACT AS GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITIES; AND TO
COMPRISE THE LAWS OF THE LAND AND HOW THEY SHOULD BE USED FOR
THE SAKE OF THOSE WHO ARE CITIZENS IN THE WORLD. AND GOD HAS ALSO
GIVEN POWER TO SATAN THE DEVIL AND HIS RED DRAGON( HIS ORGANIZATION), IN
THE INVISIBLE REALM OF EARTH'S ATMOSPHERE( EPHESIANS 6:11-12,
REVELATION 12:1-17), TO OVERSEE ALL SINNERS( EPHESIANS 2:2),
...
ISAIAH 9:6-7), HAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS "DARKENED AND EVIL
WORLD'S FINANCIAL SYSTEMS".........BECAUSE SATAN THE DEVIL IS THE "RULER OF
THE WORLD( 1 JOHN 5:19, EPHESIANS 6:11-12, EPHESIANS 2:2,
2 CORINTHIANS 4:4-6, MATTHEW 6:24) AND HE AND HIS AGENTS, OR HIS CHILDREN
MAKE-UP THE RULES AND REGULATIONS THAT GOVERN FINANCE( JOHN 8:44,
1 JOHN 3:8-12.
JESUS CHRIST REFERRED TO SOME OF THE JEWS AS "MONEYCHANGERS"(
FINANCIAL EXPERTS, THEY KNOW ABOUT RULES AND REGULATIONS OF FINANCE,
IN THIS EVIL WORLD).............MATTHEW 21:12, MARK 11:15.
JESUS CHRIST MADE IT VERY CLEAR, THAT "HIS KINGDOM GOVERNMENT OF
RIGHTEOUSNESS IS NO PART OF THIS WORLD"( JOHN 18:36-38; ISAIAH 9:6-7,
MATTHEW 6:5-34; REVELATION 21:1-8). THEREFORE, GOD THE FATHER HAS
GRANTED "POWER TO SINNERS IN THE VISIBLE( ROMANS 13:1-8; JOHN 19:9-11,
1 PETER 2:13-17) REALM TO ACT AS GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITIES; AND TO
COMPRISE THE LAWS OF THE LAND AND HOW THEY SHOULD BE USED FOR
THE SAKE OF THOSE WHO ARE CITIZENS IN THE WORLD. AND GOD HAS ALSO
GIVEN POWER TO SATAN THE DEVIL AND HIS RED DRAGON( HIS ORGANIZATION), IN
THE INVISIBLE REALM OF EARTH'S ATMOSPHERE( EPHESIANS 6:11-12,
REVELATION 12:1-17), TO OVERSEE ALL SINNERS( EPHESIANS 2:2),
ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO ARE NOT FAITHFUL FOLLOWERS OF KING JESUS CHRIST,
AND CITIZENS OF GOD'S KINGDOM GOVERNMENT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS TO COME".
JOHN 3:16.
IN OTHER WORDS YOU MUST KEEP "GOD THE FATHER AND LORD JESUS CHRIST,
OUT OF YOUR POLITICAL GAMES, BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH
HOW THE LAWS OF THE LAND ARE ADMINISTERED........GOD THE FATHER ONLY
SAID THAT WE SHOULD OBEY THE AUTHORITIES AND SHOW THEM RESPECT, THUS
BY NOT BREAKING THE LAW"( ROMANS 13:1-8, 1 PETER 2:13-17). AND THAT IS ALL
HE SAID.
What's the difference between God and Obama? God doesn't think he's Obama.