A few months ago, Steph and I watched Michael Moore's most recent movie, Capitalism: A Love Story. And I found myself not only laughing at it, but agreeing with alot of what Mr. Moore had to say (*gasp!).
Alright, confession time. I am a bit of a Michael Moore fan. I have not seen all of his movies, in fact I've only seen two (Sicko! and Capitalism). And I found myself agreeing with a great deal of what he had so say in both. Now, before my conservative family and friends plan an intervention, let me say that I don't always agree 100% with everything Mr. Moore says or with his political slant/point-of-view; however, I do like Mr. Moore more for being willing to ask the questions that many people are already thinking. In every walk of life, you have to have someone that will look at the status quo and say "Yeah, but why?" I think that Mr. Moore is that guy for our current culture. Sometimes that puts him at odds with people, and he seems to be okay with that.
One of the questions Mr. Moore asks in Capitalism is "Do you think Jesus would be a capitalist?". He asked this question of several different people from several different walks of life. And all of them answered "No". And I must say that I agree with that answer, I don't think Jesus would be a capitalist nor do I think He is all that impressed with capitalism. It might even make Him sick to watch the rich get richer and poor get poorer while so many of His "followers" stand on the sidelines and complain or worse use His name to justify their own greed and selfishness. I don't think Jesus is impressed with that at all. Speaking of Jesus' followers, read Acts 2. Verse 45 says that the believers were selling their property and possessions and were sharing with everyone that was in need. That does not sound like capitalism to me.
Now at this point you may be thinking "So you are saying Jesus was a socialist?" No, I am not! Stop trying to define this in terms of modern thought and stop putting words in my mouth. Read Scripture. Jesus was intensely about people, but He was ultimately about carrying out the will of His Father. So Acts 2 is not about an economic or political statement, it is about the power of Holy Spirit to move deeply in the hearts of people so that their response to the work of Christ in their souls is to embrace His intensity for people to the point that they are willing to part with the rubbish of this life to see the fullness of the work of Christ in others.
The question that we are then faced with is "Have I allowed the Holy Spirit to work in my life in such a way that I am willing to take drastic measures to see the fullness of the work of Christ in other people?". In other words, am I willing to REALLY make Jesus ultimate, regardless of what that means for my life, including my financial security; OR have I so bought into the lie of the American Dream and the "rightness" of Capitalism that I am willing to sacrifice parts of my soul for a bigger, better piece of the pie? It is difficult to wrestle with these thoughts, because we have all bought into the lie, at least a little bit. But we must acknowledge that, at least in the light of Scripture, that our live must be about more than the pursuit of our own comfort and stability.
There's an important distinctions between personal call to generosity and a government mandated redistribution. I agree that Christ was focused on the heart of man and not on a financial structure. I also agree that capitalism allows man the freedom to pursue greed and materialism, two of the most damaging cancers in our society. That said, socialistic forms of government do not change the heart of man nor do they inspire greater generosity. In fact, their vices tend to be greed for government entitlements and placing reliance in government over God - not what Christ was going for either.
ReplyDeleteFrom Christs perspective. the problem in our sinful nature ... not the system. No economic system can or will accomplish the purpose of Christ.
It should be noted that the idea that capitalism makes the rich richer and the poor poorer is so off base. Consider that prior to the industrial revolution the nearly entire world was in poverty and experienced nearly stagnant economic growthi and that in only 100 years, through capitalism, 2/3 id the worlds population has experiences a.rise.from poverty.
If.your goal is soul redemption, the system doesn't matter. If your goal is poverty reduction. capitalism has done in 100 years what no other system could do in millions of years.
Thought provoking post. If your really interested in this subject you may like THE AGE OF AFFLUENCE by John Maynard Keynes - notformer economic advisor to JFK. He's considered more liberal and I'm not generally a big follower of his economic theory, but this book is VERY good at explaining the development of.the American economic minset.
Thanks, Danny, for reminding us that the economy of God is the only one that matters. This is true regardless of whether or not it conforms to our own experience, cultural education or carnal desires.
ReplyDeleteThe life challenge every person who is truly "in Christ" faces is the same one John the Baptist faced as he recognized that for Christ to increase in his estimation then he himself must decrease in his own eyes.
Christ is continually whispering for us to look at him and trust him in every dimension of our lives. Simultaneously we are being screamed at and clawed at by our own cultural context (which resonates even with our "flesh" which God wants to transform) to trust in things over which we have the illusion of control such as wealth, education, position, power, or prestige.
Be encouraged, Danny. You're thoughts are highly esteemed by God and he's probably writing a sentence about you in His heavenly appendix to Hebrews 11.
Be advised, Danny. Most of the people in Hebrews 11 were vilified, persecuted and/or killed.
You will have ample opportunity to continue try to live out the insight you are being given. It will "cost" you every time but you can trust that in God's economy he will exceedingly abundantly bless you in ways beyond anything you could have asked for or imagine because this is how he is glorified in and through you.