Then God Created Capitalism
There are many definitions of capitalism but the one I like most is "a system of incentives encouraging men to seek monetary (capital), material, or behavioral that secures for him tangible benefits (blessings) leading to a better quality of life." With that definition capitalism appears on every page of the Bible. It appears as a creation ordinance in Genesis 2:9-17. Here it is a material and behavioral incentive. God encouraged Adam and Eve to seek obedience to His commands. And what would be the "tangible benefit'"? They would not have to work for food and possessed eternal life!
Take Noah as an example. His incentive: build the ark. His benefit: "But with thee I will establish my covenant" (Genesis 6:18). He would be the founder of a new glorious generation! Noah was a pioneer introducing the work ethic for every Christian and the people of God.
Take Job for example. His incentive, that faith in the justice of His God was his destiny. "Though He slay me yet will I trust Him" (Job 13:15). "But as for me, I know my Redeemer liveth" (19:25-27). For what benefit? His redemption and restoration. "So God blessed his latter life more than his beginning (42:12-17). In the end he had capital and material, "tangible benefits."
How about Israel? The incentives: "God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth and all these blessings shall come upon you" (Deuteronomy 28:1-19). This for obedience to God’s commandments equals wealth (capital) and national prosperity.
And so it goes throughout the Old Testament, with Joshua, incentives for victory and national wealth and prosperity. The Judges, victory though faithfulness and trust leads to conquest over your enemies and true blessings (good things) of God. Incentives for Ruth, to capture her legacy in bringing forth in the future King David. This leading to national prosperity and free market trade. And how about Elijah hiding in a cave? "What doth thou here, Elijah?" (I Kings 19:13). His incentive: I have seven thousand knees that have not bowed to Baal" (19:18). This leading to victory with Elisha over Syria (I Kings 20:34). And there was Isaiah. "Come let us reason together and your sins though they are scarlet shall be as white as snow" (Isaiah 1:8) The incentive: reason; the benefits: sins forgiven.
God always uses the principle of incentives to encourage His people towards fidelity and then receive the abundance of His blessings. It's the sanctified "stick and carrot" principle of capitalism and Jesus was a master at it. You want eternal life (the benefit)? Then seek faith and repentance. "Seek first the kingdom of God and its righteousness. Then all these things (material) shall be added unto you (Matthew 6:33, Luke 12:31). Then there was "Lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust doth corrupt and thieves break in and steal" (Matthew 6:19). The benefit: you will have them for all eternity. "Well done thou good and faithful servant… [for his capital return for his master] I will make you ruler over many things" (Matthew 25:21). And the unprofitable servant? "Take from him the one talent and give it to him which has 10 talents [approximately $230,000]" (Matthew 25:28). The incentive here is investing and the benefit is capital (money).
So it goes on every page of the New Testament — the stick and carrot method of human attainment. It is an attribute (characteristic) of God. The righteousness of creative labor imparted to every man as part of his creation in the image of God and required to be implemented by every man, both Christian and non-Christian. "In seven days He created and on the seventh day He said, ’Behold it was very good’" (Genesis 1:31). His incentive: creation. His benefit: satisfaction. "It was very good." For those who don’t participate: "Cast the unprofitable servant into outer darkness where there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." There is not room for the sluggard and the capitalist in the same kingdom.
My dad always told me that the greatest gifts you could give a person was not advice or money but opportunity. God gave us opportunity to receive material and spiritual blessings. All you and I have to do is get off our couches (our status quo behavior) and use the incentives that are part of our DNA to motivate us and receive His benefits. Thank God He created capitalism. Vincit Omnia Veritas – The truth conquers everything.
Please email me with comments, questions or suggestions at coach@chapelfield.org
W.H. (Coach) Spanjer
Solo Christo gloria