Capitalism vs. Socialism

I have been in conservative Christian circles for years...it is almost a universal given...that capitalism is biblical whereas socialism is...well...its what the liberals believe and hold on to.

The problem with this type of thinking...like any ideal or philosophy is that it looks good on paper...while you ignore the fact that sinners are involved in both systems.

Conservatives easily see the errors of socialism...but do they see the errors of capitalism?

I have heard many conservative Christians complain about the evils of "big government"...aka..."socialistic governments"...taking our hard earned dollars and giving them to the low life undeservings of our society.

Oh...if we could only get back to the good old days...when we were more capitalistic...when the government kept its ugly hands off of our hard earned money.

But how has the government grown to its ugly size...why is its hands in our pockets?

I heard one Christian philosopher try to explain this problem. He said that God has given the responsibility to feed the poor, cloth the naked, heal the sick, visit the prisoner, look after the widow and orphan into the hands of His people...

...but what happens when God's people become greedy for money...greedy for their own comfort and luxury...and negligent to the needs of others.

Well, if Christians won't voluntarily give of their time, energies and monies to minister in these areas...then God will raise up another arm of His authority and power to look after it...the civil government is also an arm that extends God's authority.

If Christians will not give liberally to extend Christ's mercies into the world then God will raise up another instrument to execute this task...

...but now instead of God's people voluntarily giving generously to help others...they have their money taken from them...via taxes...to pay for hospitals, the poor, single moms and their children...etc.

But wait...there is an answer...capitalism has an answer to keep the big governments hands off of our money...

Is the answer to discern that our present state is a judgment from God...and that we need to repent of our greedy ways...and give more of our time, energy and time to helping the needy and undeserving in our land?

No! Don't be silly.

The answer is in tax loop holes.

You see...you can have a business and make tens, maybe hundreds of thousands of dollars a year...but...you can make it seem like you only make a minimal amount.

This way the government can't get at "your" money. This way it actually makes it seem like you are one of the needy [even though you aren't] and then you can get free government hand outs. Now, you can become like one of the people you have complained about in the past...you know...the dude on welfare who really is able to get a job...but wants a hand out...so chooses to make it seem like he can't work to get a free hand out...ouch...hurts doesn't it.

Capitalism teaches you how you can keep the governments hands off of your hard earned money...but have you really come up with an answer to how we can feed the poor, heal the sick, clothe the naked...etc?

Or have you just found a way to hold on to your money...for your own selfish ends...the very reason why we have a big government to begin with...