Jesus: Opposed to Capitalism?

Michael Moore is on the attack again.  This time his victim is the nasty, greedy, capitalism of our evil nation.  For Michael Moore, capitalism is one of the greatest evils of all time.  In his movie he marches around with a megaphone to condemn the atrocities (usually rightfully so) committed by big businesses. He even uses the voice of Christ to drive home his point about money.  So, was Jesus against capitalism?

Pastors are often heard saying, "Jesus spoke on money more than any other topic."  This is said I assume to cause us to believe that Jesus thought money was of greater importance than other things.  First of all, the number of times a subject is brought up by Christ does not determine its importance.  I would consider his crucifixion and resurrection more important than money.  Secondly, I disagree entirely.  Jesus spoke about God more than any other topic, and when he spoke of money it was God's view of money.

About all that Jesus says about money is that it can be a source of evil, a deterrent to discipleship, and that one should pay taxes if the government requires it of you.  He never promotes a system or denies one.  To say that Jesus was communist or that he was capitalistic is like me saying "I promote free trade commu-capatilisticism.....when it exists 1500 years from now."    These systems were not in existence at that time, and hence not a part of his thinking.

The good part of Michael Moore's documentary/movie is that it does point out abuses of our capitalistic system.  The cheating of somebody out of their property or the abuse of banks and governments upon the individual is outrageous.  Jesus would confirm this, and as Christians so should we.

However, where Moore's logic takes a horrible turn is in this principle.  Bad people abuse capitalism, therefore capitalism is bad.  No Mr. Moore, bad people abuse capitalism, but that does not make it a bad system.

The virtue of capitalism is this, freedom.  It is freedom that is supposed to grant the individual power against abuses by the government.  It is freedom that allows the individual in a free-market society to purchase or not purchase what he or she desires.  It is freedom that allows the individual to better themselves, or to be lazy and worsen their situation.  Our Constitution sets up our powers to be equal players in order to protect the freedom of the individual.

The problem with socialism is that it grants power to one set of persons, the state.  And unless those in power are men and women of virtue (I would argue Christian men and women) then an evil state will have all power over all material goods.  To whom should we give this power?  To you Mr. Moore?  Who is good enough to ensure the best use of all resources for all people?  I don't trust Michale Moore, and I wouldn't trust myself.  There is no freedom in socialism, only slavery.  Didn't the world already learn that lesson?

If Mr. Moore's movie proves anything it proves this, that if capitalism is corrupt then socialism would never work.  Could you imagine, Mr. Moore, a society in which the government you claim has abused our material freedom did not allow us any material freedoms at all?  Mr. Moore, you are a millionaire, would you be so kind as to live as a beggar in order to promote the kind of society that you so envision?  Would you even be a millionaire except for the fact that you live in a capitalistic society, and a society in which freedom (of expression included) is allowed?  I would think not.

Thank you Mr. Moore for showing us that our freedoms are at risk from a corrupt society.  And thank you for answering your question.  We are a society that needs moral people.  We need ethical government, not more government.  We need ethical capitalism, not socialism.  We need morality.  And true morality can only come from God.  I believe God in Christ.  Which is what Jesus said about money, that you must view both it and  yourself as God's property.  Exercise your freedom to chose to follow Christ and his model of living, then I guarantee you that capitalism and our society will succeed.