Paul – If any soldier returns to find that a promised job is not there, that’s an outrageous wrong that needs to be made right. And I’m with you as well in feeling that more should have been done to punish business and political leaders who acted illegally or irresponsibly in regard to the mortgage mess.
However, I don’t agree that Capitalism produces greed or pride. Those traits seem to be part of the human condition, and certainly predate Capitalism. There’s much harm done in the name of capitalism, to be sure, but there is also much good.
Matt,
People are upset because they cannot find jobs. Soldiers returning from war, cannot find jobs, even the ones they left behind, the ones that their employer was supposed to keep. They are angry that our government has not prosecuted nor convicted anybody who was responsible (if you’re talking about “personal responsibility”)for the subprime mortage scandal that brought our nation into a deep recession. They are angry that the tax cuts for the wealthy have not ‘trickled down’ to the 99% who are depending on them for creating jobs.
Capitalism, secondly, is not necessarily biblical. Yes, it produces opportunity and initiative but it also produces some of the worst traits of humanity including greed (as seen in the bonuses of the wealthiest CEOs) and pride which believes that everything you have is somehow because YOU made it happen. It leaves out the grace of God in YOUR circumstances, whether that be the family you were born into, the neighborhood you grew up in and the connections you were able to make as you became an adult.
When Jesus returns and sets up his Kingdom-notice that it’s not a free enterprise system-he’ll set everthing right-meaning that capitalism wil not be a top priority in his economic plan. And in that vain, I should be pondering some tough issues as a follower of Jesus: To bring “in” his Kingdom here on earth (Matthew 6:10)what should I be doing with my life and the family I lead?
Basically, I agree with you. I believe I should help others in need, be it with money, labor, or just doing small things, but it should not be forced. It should be my own choosing. If “everyone” would do what is right, yes, this world would not have the problems it has now. Yet, there are too many that expect help all the time, not willing to put an effort themselves. I believe that is a problem area.
I think that’s the key, Amy. Generosity should not be forced. At its best, generosity comes as a grateful response to all that we have received.
As for those who take advantage of generosity, who “expect help all the time,” that’s more challenging. Those who are giving to people like that need a lot of discernment – hearts that “err” on the side of generosity, but also the wisdom to know when continued generosity is hurting more than it’s helping, and may need to use tough love that puts limits on how long the generosity will continue.
Someone once told me that most “money problems” were not actually money problems, but were instead symptoms of a “spiritual problem”.
I believe if we all lived under the Biblical principle that all assets and wealth belong to God and we are merely stewards of those resources we would have a lot less money problems.
Matt,
I just finished Brian Kluth’s new 30-day Generosity Devotional, “7 Keys to Open-Handed Living in a Tight-Fisted World”. It’s a great read and really turns my palms upward, while holding the resources God has given us.
Paul – If any soldier returns to find that a promised job is not there, that’s an outrageous wrong that needs to be made right. And I’m with you as well in feeling that more should have been done to punish business and political leaders who acted illegally or irresponsibly in regard to the mortgage mess.
However, I don’t agree that Capitalism produces greed or pride. Those traits seem to be part of the human condition, and certainly predate Capitalism. There’s much harm done in the name of capitalism, to be sure, but there is also much good.
Matt,
People are upset because they cannot find jobs. Soldiers returning from war, cannot find jobs, even the ones they left behind, the ones that their employer was supposed to keep. They are angry that our government has not prosecuted nor convicted anybody who was responsible (if you’re talking about “personal responsibility”)for the subprime mortage scandal that brought our nation into a deep recession. They are angry that the tax cuts for the wealthy have not ‘trickled down’ to the 99% who are depending on them for creating jobs.
Capitalism, secondly, is not necessarily biblical. Yes, it produces opportunity and initiative but it also produces some of the worst traits of humanity including greed (as seen in the bonuses of the wealthiest CEOs) and pride which believes that everything you have is somehow because YOU made it happen. It leaves out the grace of God in YOUR circumstances, whether that be the family you were born into, the neighborhood you grew up in and the connections you were able to make as you became an adult.
When Jesus returns and sets up his Kingdom-notice that it’s not a free enterprise system-he’ll set everthing right-meaning that capitalism wil not be a top priority in his economic plan. And in that vain, I should be pondering some tough issues as a follower of Jesus: To bring “in” his Kingdom here on earth (Matthew 6:10)what should I be doing with my life and the family I lead?
Basically, I agree with you. I believe I should help others in need, be it with money, labor, or just doing small things, but it should not be forced. It should be my own choosing. If “everyone” would do what is right, yes, this world would not have the problems it has now. Yet, there are too many that expect help all the time, not willing to put an effort themselves. I believe that is a problem area.
I think that’s the key, Amy. Generosity should not be forced. At its best, generosity comes as a grateful response to all that we have received.
As for those who take advantage of generosity, who “expect help all the time,” that’s more challenging. Those who are giving to people like that need a lot of discernment – hearts that “err” on the side of generosity, but also the wisdom to know when continued generosity is hurting more than it’s helping, and may need to use tough love that puts limits on how long the generosity will continue.
Someone once told me that most “money problems” were not actually money problems, but were instead symptoms of a “spiritual problem”.
I believe if we all lived under the Biblical principle that all assets and wealth belong to God and we are merely stewards of those resources we would have a lot less money problems.
Amen to that, Greg!
Brad – Thanks for mentioning Brian’s work. It’s some of the best material out there on generosity.
Matt,
I just finished Brian Kluth’s new 30-day Generosity Devotional, “7 Keys to Open-Handed Living in a Tight-Fisted World”. It’s a great read and really turns my palms upward, while holding the resources God has given us.
Matt,
Good stuff! I especially relate to ‘forced redistribution’ being an opportunity and initiative killer.
Generosity affords us the opportunity to bless someone and that initiative can bless us and reinforce the generosity habit.
Bill
Well said, Bill. Once someone clears the initial hurdles of generous living, they don’t usually turn back.