What Stocks Would Jesus Own ?
Hey Folks,
I have been puzzled for some time over the fact that so many people claim to be both devout Christians and avid Capitalists. Regardless of how one may feel about either orientation, combining the two seems impossible - by definition.
One can be an avid Capitalist and a back-sliding Christian or a devout Christian and a half-hearted Capitalist; serving one of these masters while giving lip service to the other. But one CANNOT serve both; they are - by their natures - mutually exclusive.
Christianity is based on the life of Jesus, and in the Bible - the Christians' holy book - Jesus said:
“Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them." Matt.7:12
which is often stated: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you," an ancient bit of wisdom that can be easily understood by almost anyone. That is: "Treat other people the way you would like to be treated."
According to the Bible, Jesus also said:
"Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." Matt. 19:23-24. *
He tells the rich young man with whom he is speaking:
"If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasures in heaven." Matt. 19:21
Seems pretty clear, doesn't it.
Now Capitalism is based on certain principles as well:
"Capitalism is commonly understood to mean an economic or socioeconomic system in which the means of production are predominantly privately owned and operated for profit, often through the employment of labour. Money mediates the distribution and exchange of goods, services, and labour in largely free markets. Decisions regarding investment are made privately, and production and distribution is primarily controlled by companies each acting in its own interest." **
By definition, Capitalism is guided by the private self-interest of individuals or groups of individuals and is dedicated to making and increasing profit for those individuals. The focus is on helping oneself, without regard to others.
We hear endlessly - and almost reverently - about "competition." Within "the Market" and at the mercy of its "invisible hand," capitalists strive to "out-compete" one another. Those who are most "efficient" prosper; the less "efficient" are eliminated. This is seen as beneficial and as it should be. Still, while driving others out of business, I doubt the "drivers" would have others do that to them.
Besides ruining competitor capitalists, it is also in the interest of more "efficient" capitalists to minimize "labor costs" - i.e. the standard of living enjoyed by those who labor for the capitalist. Thus, labor unions are to be avoided or made as impotent as possible - since every penny subtracted from the workers' pockets goes into the owner's. Hence also, the explosion of outsourcing to foreign countries where labor is even less valued than here.
Moreover, businesses don't necessarily fail or get outsourced because they aren't making a profit, but because they are not making a large enough profit. Profitable enterprises in this country have been moved to foreign countries and thousands of Americans left unemployed and without medical insurance simply to make wealthy people wealthier.
Seems pretty clear, doesn't it.
A true follower of Jesus seeks treasure in heaven for himself and for others; a capitalist wants it here, now, in ever greater quantities, for himself alone, and at others expense.
Cross a Christian with a Capitalist and you'll get a sad hybrid, some variety - depending on the mix - of that ancient abomination: the Hypocrite.
- Uke Man
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eye_of_a_needle
** http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capitalism
I have been puzzled for some time over the fact that so many people claim to be both devout Christians and avid Capitalists. Regardless of how one may feel about either orientation, combining the two seems impossible - by definition.
One can be an avid Capitalist and a back-sliding Christian or a devout Christian and a half-hearted Capitalist; serving one of these masters while giving lip service to the other. But one CANNOT serve both; they are - by their natures - mutually exclusive.
Christianity is based on the life of Jesus, and in the Bible - the Christians' holy book - Jesus said:
“Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them." Matt.7:12
which is often stated: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you," an ancient bit of wisdom that can be easily understood by almost anyone. That is: "Treat other people the way you would like to be treated."
According to the Bible, Jesus also said:
"Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." Matt. 19:23-24. *
He tells the rich young man with whom he is speaking:
"If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasures in heaven." Matt. 19:21
Seems pretty clear, doesn't it.
Now Capitalism is based on certain principles as well:
"Capitalism is commonly understood to mean an economic or socioeconomic system in which the means of production are predominantly privately owned and operated for profit, often through the employment of labour. Money mediates the distribution and exchange of goods, services, and labour in largely free markets. Decisions regarding investment are made privately, and production and distribution is primarily controlled by companies each acting in its own interest." **
By definition, Capitalism is guided by the private self-interest of individuals or groups of individuals and is dedicated to making and increasing profit for those individuals. The focus is on helping oneself, without regard to others.
We hear endlessly - and almost reverently - about "competition." Within "the Market" and at the mercy of its "invisible hand," capitalists strive to "out-compete" one another. Those who are most "efficient" prosper; the less "efficient" are eliminated. This is seen as beneficial and as it should be. Still, while driving others out of business, I doubt the "drivers" would have others do that to them.
Besides ruining competitor capitalists, it is also in the interest of more "efficient" capitalists to minimize "labor costs" - i.e. the standard of living enjoyed by those who labor for the capitalist. Thus, labor unions are to be avoided or made as impotent as possible - since every penny subtracted from the workers' pockets goes into the owner's. Hence also, the explosion of outsourcing to foreign countries where labor is even less valued than here.
Moreover, businesses don't necessarily fail or get outsourced because they aren't making a profit, but because they are not making a large enough profit. Profitable enterprises in this country have been moved to foreign countries and thousands of Americans left unemployed and without medical insurance simply to make wealthy people wealthier.
Seems pretty clear, doesn't it.
A true follower of Jesus seeks treasure in heaven for himself and for others; a capitalist wants it here, now, in ever greater quantities, for himself alone, and at others expense.
Cross a Christian with a Capitalist and you'll get a sad hybrid, some variety - depending on the mix - of that ancient abomination: the Hypocrite.
- Uke Man
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eye_of_a_needle
** http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capitalism
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