jackmajor

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Hello friends I have a question that's been nagging me for a very long time as Christians we are supposed to be generous and compassionate to our fellow man And live our lives according to the Bible

However I'm finding it hard to justify the practice of capitalism because at its very core is the idea that greed is good, not to mention its effects on our culture from the idolization of the wealthy to the normalization of gluttonous lifestyles

so I guess my question is as a Christian how does one live their life according to the Bible while also while participating in a system that is inherently sinful?


I would love to hear your thoughts on the matter and please note that I'm not advocating for any political ideology
 

Brightmoon

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I can be if it’s used to exploit others . There is nothing wrong with living well but if you living well means that someone else is exploited or enslaved that’s abuse. The average prisoner in America lives better than a medieval king. Technology helps in that respect.

Look at Jimmy Carter he’s wealthy but he uses part of his money to help others .
 
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Rescued One

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Capitalism isn't greed. Greed is the love of money. In this world, we need money to help those less fortunate. For instance, an American can send money to charities that help impoverished children around the world.
 
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eleos1954

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Hello friends I have a question that's been nagging me for a very long time as Christians we are supposed to be generous and compassionate to our fellow man And live our lives according to the Bible

However I'm finding it hard to justify the practice of capitalism because at its very core is the idea that greed is good, not to mention its effects on our culture from the idolization of the wealthy to the normalization of gluttonous lifestyles

so I guess my question is as a Christian how does one live their life according to the Bible while also while participating in a system that is inherently sinful?


I would love to hear your thoughts on the matter and please note that I'm not advocating for any political ideology

an economic and political system in which a country's trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit, rather than by the state.

would you rather keep what you work for or give it all to the government and then have whatever political party is in office decide how it gets distributed?

What we have (USA) is a blend of the two, but it is corrupted because mankind is corrupt.

We don't have a true capitalistic system ... there isn't a perfect system that man can put in place ... because mankind is far far far from perfect.

1 Timothy 6:10

10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Whatever system is put in place is tainted by sin. We live in a sinful world.

Sin is individual and personal in the Lords view.

Romans 14:12 “So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.”
 
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jackmajor

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Hello friend I am not opposed to charity And I do agree that we do need money to function in this world however that does not mean

that capitalism is not sinful we must look at it as a system and how it affects the faithful and non-believers alike

well it is true that charity will help alleviate the problems of the impoverished world

is it also true that the motivation of wealth spurred Europeans to embark on Campaign of colonisation that led to the deaths of Untold Millions of Africans and Native Americans
 
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timewerx

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The only good form of capitalism is earning profit through hard work and without exploiting and deceiving anyone.

-This usually means high quality work / produce at prices affordable enough to the poor (if dealing with basic necessities), while still be able to compensate your workers fairly.

Very little profit margin though.... The truth is that it's hard to get rich if you do things according to the Bible - do your best work, be fair to the poor and be fair to your workers.

Many businesses today do the opposite. Many Christian business owners even justify becoming rich this way so they can help more people.....But at the expense of their own workers and customers. Isn't that hypocrisy?
 
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Albion

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Hello friends I have a question that's been nagging me for a very long time as Christians we are supposed to be generous and compassionate to our fellow man And live our lives according to the Bible

However I'm finding it hard to justify the practice of capitalism because at its very core is the idea that greed is good, not to mention its effects on our culture from the idolization of the wealthy to the normalization of gluttonous lifestyles
It does not "do" this. You are merely repeating what the opponents of Capitalism, i.e. free enterprise, like to say about it. Naturally, they will paint the picture in as stereotypical terms as is possible.

so I guess my question is as a Christian how does one live their life according to the Bible while also while participating in a system that is inherently sinful?
If you want to talk about an economic system that is inherently sinful, talk about any of those which take the possessions from one person by force to give to another according to the moral code of the people administering the system. Socialism. Marxism. Collectivism, etc.

That said, bear in mind that free enterprise is the system that permits people to have what they come by, what they earn, fairly and honestly. That is moral. It also is the system that produces more goods and services than any other, which not only benefits the producers but everyone else in society as well. As the slogan goes, "Nobody gets any if there ain't none."

I would love to hear your thoughts on the matter and please note that I'm not advocating for any political ideology
I would have preferred if the question did not read very much like you are, in fact, advocating for a political ideology, but thanks for asking in any case.
 
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OldWiseGuy

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Capitalism is the formation of capital. Anyone who saves their money is a capitalist. Labor is also capital. Anyone who works for their own benefit is a capitalist. Education and skills are capital. Anyone having these is a capitalist.
 
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Andrew77

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Hello friends I have a question that's been nagging me for a very long time as Christians we are supposed to be generous and compassionate to our fellow man And live our lives according to the Bible

However I'm finding it hard to justify the practice of capitalism because at its very core is the idea that greed is good, not to mention its effects on our culture from the idolization of the wealthy to the normalization of gluttonous lifestyles

so I guess my question is as a Christian how does one live their life according to the Bible while also while participating in a system that is inherently sinful?


I would love to hear your thoughts on the matter and please note that I'm not advocating for any political ideology

Since when is Capitalism based on Greed?

Are you saying that expecting to get paid for what you do, is greed?

Because when you go to work, and do a job, and expect to get paid for the sale of your labor.... that's capitalism. If you go and mow someone's lawn in exchange for a payment... that's capitalism.
When your daughter offers to baby sit someone's child in exchange for payment... that's capitalism.

So what you are saying, is that everyone everywhere is inherently engaging in sin? Just by trying to live?

How do you explain Matthew 20, where Jesus has the story of the land owner. The land owner, was a capitalist by any definition. And he was the good guy. In fact, not only was he the good guy, but he was the example of G-d in the story.

Or take the parables of the talents. Luke 19:22, where the Lord gave one money to a servant who buried in the ground, and the Lord says to the servant "Why then didn’t you put my money on deposit,23 so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?"

That's capitalism. He's asking, when didn't you at the very least invest my money so I could get interest back? Or put it in a bank, so I could get interest back?

By any definition, that is capitalism.
Why is this evil? Why would G-d make himself out to be the evil person in his own store?

Capitalism isn't based on greed. It's based on freedom. Socialism is a system that is entirely based on greed and envy.
 
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Hazelelponi

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Hello friends I have a question that's been nagging me for a very long time as Christians we are supposed to be generous and compassionate to our fellow man And live our lives according to the Bible

However I'm finding it hard to justify the practice of capitalism because at its very core is the idea that greed is good, not to mention its effects on our culture from the idolization of the wealthy to the normalization of gluttonous lifestyles

so I guess my question is as a Christian how does one live their life according to the Bible while also while participating in a system that is inherently sinful?


I would love to hear your thoughts on the matter and please note that I'm not advocating for any political ideology

literally anything good can be twisted and abused.. does that make what is abused into something bad?

Are you using the internet?

there's inappropriate contentography, lust, greed, covetousness and more promoted, expounded upon and practiced on the internet.

Do you eat? Do you use your tongue in speech? Have you used a television set?

Everything can be used for evil..

It's how your personally using it, and what message you send through your own actions that reflects in any way upon Christ, when you apply His Name to yourself.

Are you perfect in every way? No, but we should, if we are Christian, strive to be His, and reflect Him in a positive light to be seen by the world.

He told us to live IN the world, without being OF this world.

That means there's no problem using things like the internet, or engaging in a capitalist society (or, or, or) so long as OUR actions, heart and mind, aren't taken over by these worldly things but that we are using these thing in a Godly or Christ-like manner.

So if you will use capitalism, then use it in a manner befitting a child of God. If you will use internet, then use it in a manner befitting a child of God.

Your responsibility is yourself. Not others. Your responsibility is how you are reflecting the One whose Name you took upon yourself - don't take His name in vain..

He wasn't a dictator though..
 
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visionary

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Hello friends I have a question that's been nagging me for a very long time as Christians we are supposed to be generous and compassionate to our fellow man And live our lives according to the Bible

However I'm finding it hard to justify the practice of capitalism because at its very core is the idea that greed is good, not to mention its effects on our culture from the idolization of the wealthy to the normalization of gluttonous lifestyles

so I guess my question is as a Christian how does one live their life according to the Bible while also while participating in a system that is inherently sinful?


I would love to hear your thoughts on the matter and please note that I'm not advocating for any political ideology
I don't know where you get the idea that capitalism is "at its very core" about "greed is good". Many a capitalistic individuals are very generous and compassionate. Not all rich people are greedy. The capitalistic system is not inherently sinful.

It is a method of accounting value across the market place in products and services. Capitalism is an economic system based on the private ownership of the means of production and their operation for profit. Characteristics central to capitalism include private property, capital accumulation, wage labor, voluntary exchange, a price system, and competitive markets. In a capitalist market economy, decision-making and investment are determined by every owner of wealth, property or production ability in financial and capital markets, whereas prices and the distribution of goods and services are mainly determined by competition in goods and services markets.

Abraham is a capitalist. He owned sheep and had the means and production that produced profit. He was a very rich man. The list of wealthy godly men in scripture starts with Job and goes to the man the gave up his burial cave and spices for Yeshua.

God wants the best for you. For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 1 (TNIV, Jeremiah 29:11) Yeshua saw wealth as a gift from God to be used in His service (Matthew 25:14-30). Those who have been blessed with wealth must share generously with the poor (Matthew 25:31-46), and avoid the sins of arrogance (1 Timothy 6:17-19), dishonesty (Exodus 20:15, Mark 10:19, Luke 3:12-14) and greed (Luke 12:13-21).

It is a very excellent testament to faith for a person to be a capitalist, make money, and keep doing right by his fellow man. Those of us who are blessed with wealth beyond our need have a responsibility to share generously with the less fortunate. We should view our wealth as a gift from God, entrusted to us, to carry out His work on earth. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? (NIV, 1 John 3:17)
 
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Gregory Thompson

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Hello friends I have a question that's been nagging me for a very long time as Christians we are supposed to be generous and compassionate to our fellow man And live our lives according to the Bible

However I'm finding it hard to justify the practice of capitalism because at its very core is the idea that greed is good, not to mention its effects on our culture from the idolization of the wealthy to the normalization of gluttonous lifestyles

so I guess my question is as a Christian how does one live their life according to the Bible while also while participating in a system that is inherently sinful?


I would love to hear your thoughts on the matter and please note that I'm not advocating for any political ideology
You know, the Christians that lived under protection of the Roman Empire probably had similar questions.

The answer to your question is to pray. and then pray some more. and then keep praying, bury your head in the dust, maybe there will still be hope.

But enough Solomon, I find focusing on how Jesus related to people really helpful.
 
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visionary

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Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. (NIV, 1 Timothy 6:17-19)
 
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blackribbon

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Socialism isn't Christian. If God were socialist, everyone would get to go to heaven regardless of how they lived their life. The Bible is full of stories that include working for your wages. It is what you do with your money that shows if you are a Christian or not. Giving away the money you need to feed your children isn't "holy" because you are commissioned to care for those you are responsible for. It definitely isn't a Christian idea to give all your money to a governmental group who then distributes it to everyone equally. There is no expression of compassion or generosity there. And you might be financing harmful behaviors. (In a truly socialistic society, even the addicts would get the same as those who worked hard and used their money wisely.)
 
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GOD Shines Forth!

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Hello friends I have a question that's been nagging me for a very long time as Christians we are supposed to be generous and compassionate to our fellow man And live our lives according to the Bible

However I'm finding it hard to justify the practice of capitalism because at its very core is the idea that greed is good, not to mention its effects on our culture from the idolization of the wealthy to the normalization of gluttonous lifestyles

so I guess my question is as a Christian how does one live their life according to the Bible while also while participating in a system that is inherently sinful?


I would love to hear your thoughts on the matter and please note that I'm not advocating for any political ideology

Capitalism is just fine. Perhaps you ought to look into Resentment, Envy, and Sloth. You’ll probably find your answer for what’s wrong there.
 
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jackmajor

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I find it very funny that people Think that questioning the morality of an economic system somehow makes me an opponent of it I have never advocated for the abolishment of capitalism

nor will I ever, And for those of you who say god hates Socialism

I leave you with this quote Acts 2:44-45, "All who believed were together and had all things in common; 45 they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need."


Sounds less like capitalism and more like a certain other economic system
 
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timewerx

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Capitalism is, in fact, naturally hostile to free enterprise--rather like a cancer is hostile to its host.

Actually, it's very much like cancer. Once it gets big and dependent upon market fluctuations, it can only be sustained by positive growth - multiplication. Thus, through local expansion, and eventually, through global expansion

Just like cancer, unregulated multiplication of cancerous cells, and eventually, metastasis - spreading to other parts of the body which eventually kills its host -the human body.
 
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