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Christianity Today, December, 2008 |

Looking for Moral Capitalism

Let there be accountability for the financial crisis, and let it begin with me.

A Christianity Today editorial | posted 12/16/2008 10:11AM

The Dow plunges 936 points in one surreal day of panicked trading—and then drops some more. Surging home foreclosures threaten to swamp the formerly high-flying financial industry, which meekly ...

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George T.

Posted: December 17, 2008 9:20 PM


Though I "dislike" this often heard cliche that capitalism is too seriously wounded...I still think that these are the comming times. Not so much materialism----MORE HUMANISM---MORE OF CHRIST'S TEACHING INTO OUR LIVES. It is practical,updated and will produce happiness "figures"instead of "sales/GDP" statistics.

JohnS

Posted: December 17, 2008 3:17 PM

The problem is not with capitalism per se, it is with unregulated capitalism that becomes the law of the jungle where might makes right and those on the top make the rules to solidify their position at the expense of everyone else. Ayn Rand is right that people should be responsible for themselves and not leech off others, but she (and many modern Rush Limbaugh Republicans) take it to an absurd extreme that if you're at the top you made it there purely on merit and those on the bottom are all slackers. Malcolm Gladwell's new book, "Outlier," puts the lie to that assumption. John Paul II (and Benedict) had the right idea that socialims and communism are not the answer, but neither is free-wheeling Gordon Gecko capitalism. The profit motive must be tempered with morality and charity, that dying with the most toys is not the measure of a man, that providing for yourself and your family, even with great wealth, must be done honorably. Capitalism is best but must be regulated.

Bart Wang

Posted: December 17, 2008 11:08 AM

Oh John, remember the rest of the Bible. Read up on the context of those verses. You've selected one of the few areas that can be (mis)interpreted to suggest we take care of ourselves alone. Funny, that's not the community Jesus lived in or developed among His followers. I'm all for being responsible (I'm among the top 1% of the world's wealthiest people as you might be - check www.globalrichlist.com) and have done well, financially-speaking. But it is the task and joy of Christ to assist those, regardless of their plight. Does Jesus continue to bless us even though we are irresponsible and make bad decisions? Or does He say, 'You're on your own, you foolish people. No more good things from God for you!'? The former, I have no question. Deuteronomy 15:7 “If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother.”

John	Posted: December 17, 2008 9:09 AM

Ted, let God speak for God, show where the Lord says what you think. 2 Th 3 (6) Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. (7) For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, (8) nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. (9) It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. (10) For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. (11) For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. (12) Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.

Maryann

Posted: December 17, 2008 8:09 AM

According to Charity Navigator's Holiday Giving Guide 2008, Catholic Charities USA is the country's top provider of social services. CCUSA also finished second overall in the NonProfit Times Top 100 list of the country's largest charities and 11th in the most recent Philanthropy 400 ranking by The Chronicle of Philanthrophy. In 2007, CCUSA had revenues of nearly $3.9 billion from private contributions and government grants for services. In other words, somebody who has money (capitalists!) was able to pour it into a Christian organization that is the leader in responding to the needs of the least of our brothers and sisters. Money and morality can work very well together. The problems arise when those who have/control the money are immoral.

Ted Voth Jr

Posted: December 16, 2008 10:04 PM

The motto of Capitalism: 'Every man for himself, and devil take the hindmost.' How does this fit with 'Love God with all you've got, and love your neighbor as yourself.' Capitalism is worldly and the world is damned; keep it trammelled and well-regulated; it's based on an 'is', man is sinful and selfish, and socialism, a worldly offshoot of Christianity, is based on an 'ought to be', 'people ought to be nice and unselfish to each other.' Socialism is much less of a stench in God's nostrils than capitalism.

libereco

Posted: December 16, 2008 6:33 PM


capitalism = immoral

Kevin

Posted: December 16, 2008 5:04 PM

Just a conjecture here, but what if some Christians aren't giving to their church because they don't believe that their money will be put to good use? Perhaps they see no scriptural mandate for ornate facilities, activities that tend to make congregations more ingrown, or a pastor's vision of "ministry" that looks like building his own little kingdom. Perhaps those people are giving, but not to a church like that. Perhaps if the fads and buzzwords popular in ministry today weren't imported from secular business management and given a veneer of Christianity. I thought that judgment begins in the house of God.

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