Evil Empire

All this Elephant vs. Donkey beefin' got me thinking...what exactly is the American way?

If all 300 million-plus residents (and illegal immigrants) were asked this question there would probably be 100 million different answers--but I'm sure one common one would revolve around the system of capitalism.  Ah yes, capitalism.  That great C word that tells bright-eyed bushy-tailed American kids that they can go and get it all (as long as you break Uncle Sam off his piece) and live a limitless life of success and prosperity.  Please note, I don't think it's wise to allow the elementary school history books to mislead and persuade us that European settlers came over here for free religious practice.  The evidence clearly shows that even that freedom is powered by free enterprise.  Since this country's creation capitalism has been the focal point of our economic development.  Along with that, there have been many political and military campaigns on several levels protecting this right; and I use the term 'right' loosely.  Besides, who doesn't want to get paid?


Some of you may remember or have studied the Cold War.  This was a period of roughly 50 years where the United States (capitalism) was engaged in a battle of words and influence with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (communism/socialism).  Although the Americans and the Russians never declared war on each other, they did get bloody every so often  (i.e. Korea and Vietnam).  The general goal for both nations was to spread there economic influence around the world.  The U.S.S.R wanted to spread their version of communism; the United States wanted to stop that so their version of capitalism could continue to dominate.  Also during these years (and a little after), many people, including groups of African-Americans, were accused of being communist or socialist and therefore, un-American--naturally leading to arrests, imprisonments, and lynchings.  We all know that America is for the free, but not that kind of free; and thousands of people were brought up on treason for exploring a different economic system within this capitalistic one.  A tad paradoxical if you ask me, particularly being that capitalism probably isn't the economic system that God, who our nations leaders [supposedly] ask to bless America, intended for man to have.

When we look at Acts 4:32-37 (please read at your leisure), we can see a view of an honest form of communism that is not at all the one perpetuated by the Soviets in Russia.  This is proven because these passages clearly point out the apostles "had all things in common" and "distributed to each as anyone had need."  Because of this economic system that these premier followers of Christ implemented, we see that "with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus" and " great grace was upon them all."  Interestingly enough, communism is defined as a sociopolitical movement that aims for a classless and stateless society structured upon common ownership of the means of production, free access to articles of consumption, and the end of wage labour and private property in the means of production and real estate.  How does capitalism, with the slogan on the dollar In God We Trust play into this?

It doesn't, but neither does the Soviet form of communism.  You see, the intent of communism is actually great.  But whenever you leave a assumed utopia into the hands of a few godless men, it turns horrific.  Along with that, I have not been able to find a scriptural basis for capitalism (defined as an economic system in which the means of production are privately owned and operated for a profit, usually in competitive markets); and that implies that the root of free enterprise is not what God wanted for His children.  However, for an individual to run his or her business under integrity and to spread his or her earnings to those who have need so everybody eats is very Christ-like.  Also, I think Christian business owners (this includes senior pastors world-wide) must give serious consideration to the capitalistic term "businesses are in business to make money" when actually businesses are in businesses to help others. 

Capitalism isn't necessarily good and communism isn't necessarily evil.  However, the Kingdom of God is flawless.

Peace