“Is Capitalism approved by God”

God has a lot to say when it comes to money. God’s word, especially Proverbs, describes what is approved by God, when it comes to finances. Like other topics, God’s word applies differently to different scenarios, and is not the same for every situation. First off, usually, God’s word says that wealth is a sign of God’s favor. Psalms 112: 3 says “Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever.” Proverbs is probably the most important book in the old testament when it comes to directing our behavior. One scripture on wealth says “The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich and he addeth no sorrow with it.” However if you are not wealthy, you shouldn’t be discouraged. Not every man of God is wealthy and many obtain wealth later in life. Also, many end up inheriting their wealth like the man in Proverbs 8: 21. This verse says “That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.” The afflicted people of God called Jerusalem are also an exception from wealth being a blessing from God. Most of the people of Jerusalem are poor. However, in the end they shall “...eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.” In the old testament when righteous men had power and control of the city, using God’s word to judge yourself was easier. However, if you live in American or Europe, you might end up struggling to become wealthy. This is because capitalism has gone way to far with the freedom people have with their finances. In the beginning capitalism might have made a lot of sense to the man of God. People should be rewarded for their hard work. However, with the emergence of the stock market, high interest loans, and other investment opportunities, I believe capitalism has gone to far. Furthermore, rich people in today’s world have little concern for the poor. In addition, how much rich people make is exponentially more than the working man. Millionaires are getting richer, while the working man is struggling to get by. I don’t think it is God’s will for many parts of the world to be struggling to eat, while others can afford their own private jet. Again, I think capitalism is ok as long as the rich have a heart to help the poor. For example, Bill Gates is a rich man doing a lot of good. I think he is worth over 100 billion dollars. However, he is figuring out a way to help good causes the best he can.

Let’s start with the stock market and other investment opportunities. Some verses I use to argue against today’s capitalism might be my opinion, so please don’t disregard all my writings if you disagree with this one. Proverbs 28: 8 says “He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.” The first point I want to make is that in the end God’s will is to pity the poor. However, right now many people are making a fortune on the stock market and other investments, and give hardly anything to the poor. They sit in air conditioned rooms, having fun watching their stocks go up, and the guy working out in terrible weather condition only makes a fraction of what the stock broker makes. Construction work is still a good option considering other jobs in this country, but they should be rewarded more for there hard work. I think real labor jobs are a good option for the man of God. There are other scriptures which warn the righteous not even to put his money out to usury at all. Obviously stealing is against God’s law, but even “...oppressing the poor to increase riches…”, is condemned by God. For example, let’s look at some successful companies in America. I think I read that Wall Mart’s owners were some of the riches billionaires in the world. However, their employees are struggling to afford the basic necessities of life. For a while, I was thinking about driving for Uber. However, what I found out was that it was an extremely low paying job as well even though their company is worth a fortune. 

If I were advising a man of God on the occupation he should choose I would turn to the book of Proverbs. Proverbs 13:11 says “Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.” Often people get jobs because of an outgoing personality or because they have connections with the wicked. They are the sort of life of the party guys, but they proclaim foolishness to the world. Their vanity is sometimes hard to pinpoint because often they disguise it very well. If you are a man of God, it can be difficult to be promoted when you work for people that exalt foolishness. That’s why getting a job that requires real labor is a good idea for the man of God. These jobs allows you to make a decent income without relying on finding favor with wicked men. If you do the job right and work hard you should be financially secure. Furthermore, college is full of ungodly teaching that might lead you down the wrong path.

There are some scriptures which I believe show God is displeased with the capitalism in America. Isaiah 10: 1-2 says “Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and write grievousness which they have prescribed; To turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people...”The last part of this scripture says the poor have a right to something. It is difficult to know exactly what this right means and who it applies to. If it is about our country then it means the poor have a right to financial benefits. With many living on the streets, I think this country has violated God’s will on this. If the right of the poor applies to other countries then we have failed miserably. Hundreds of millions of people are living in severe poverty, while millionaires continue to get richer. Most people have a lot of ideas on how they want to spend their paycheck, but giving to the poor is not one of them. Even a small amount of money can go a long way in some parts of the world. Instead of doing God’s will, the wicked are basically saying “That we may buy the poor, for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes…”

This country absolutely exalts the rich. The more money a person has, the cooler they are. This creates a never ending cycle of greed. Everyone is striving to get as much money as they possibly can for mere vanity. Furthermore, the money they make doesn’t even affect their life. Ecclesiastes 5:11 says “When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes.”Who needs more than one car or house? They buy a lot of stuff that really doesn’t improve the quality of their lives. Another car is just something cool to look at, it doesn’t really improve your life. They don’t spend money on necessities like food, they waste their money. We need to change the conversation about success in this country. We should view most millionaires as greedy not as successful. Furthermore, money is often bad for the soul of the person that acquires wealth. It increases their pride and this makes them less likely to seek God. Hosea 4: 7 says “As they increased, so they sinned against me: therefore will I change their glory into shame.” The more money they get, the more amazing they think they are. Another verse in Hosea describes it as “...according to their pasture, so they were filled, and their heart was exalted, therefore have they forgotten me.”Many righteous men were rich and successful and yet feared God and served him. However, these men are few in this country and most are prideful transgressors like Hosea talks about.

The man of God should add financial success as a temptation to avoid. We should strive to make as much money as we can. However, our heart should be in the right place. We should acquire wealth in a way that serves God. If we become rich we should give the glory to God and not become vain. Striving to become rich for the wrong reasons can destroy our soul. A verse in Proverbs says that “...the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.” The wicked person desires “...the net of evil men.” Whereas the righteous person does not set their heart on riches. Unfortunately, this country is filled with unrighteous judgment. We should set our heart on the riches in heaven, and the rich love of God. Capitalism in and of itself is not bad. However, the capitalism in this country, has gone too far and the man of God should walk carefully.