Capitalism and Judeo-Christian Values
Capitalism defined within the framework of biblical principles is . . . ingenious!
The capitalism I’m advocating is one that’s hemmed in and with the parameters of Judeo-Christian values—honesty, forthrightness, integrity and openness.
Utilitarianism—that idea of “whatever seems best for the most” form of capitalism is inherently anti-biblical.
But the desire to work hard, be as creative as one can, gaining from one’s labors is good, right, biblical and God-honoring.
But intrinsic to an economic construct like capitalism is an acceptable moral framework to govern personal actions and decisions. Without a biblically moral base to guide and restrain human nature, any economic system will eventually rot!
Jeremiah said, “the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick, who can understand?”
Capitalism itself isn’t selfish, but the heart behind it can be!
The Freedom to Make Choices
The church I pastor would never pay for abortions! But we discovered, we were!
Unknown to us, in 2014, a California bureaucrat arbitrarily decided every insurance provider would have to pay for the killing of preborn babies. A government fiat forced on us. Period.
No one notified us—except a very smart attorney who informed me.
After months of trying to reason with the Department of Managed Healthcare, our church along with other churches and Christian colleges, entered into a lawsuit—so that we’re not forced to pay for dismembering babies in the womb.
How is it possible that health care can mean coercion of churches and others to pay for abortions?
That’s not health care—that’s health destruction!
When we’re no longer free to make choices for ourselves . . . when someone else mandates where we spend our money, that’s called bondage!
Does God Make Gender Mistakes?
The question is: Does God make gender mistakes?
God gave each of us a gender—from the time we were knit together in our mother’s womb. Every time our culture is accepting of transgender, it communicates a message that God sometimes makes gender mistakes.
Who is the creator—the Lord of the Universe—or are we?
Can we stop being labeled by our deviance and be persons made by God and loved by him? Hand in hand with that, can we stop using “identity politics” as a way of demanding entitlement, claiming injustices, blaming others, being offended and having an offense?
Having said that, as followers of Jesus, our desire must be redemptive in a very wounded, broken world.
Jesus came “full of grace and truth.” We must do the same!
The Reality of Death
We have so institutionalized illness and death—that we no longer live in the reality of death!
I’m convinced we’ve underestimated the demonic nature of the “cult of death”—brought on by the killing of preborn babies in the womb from 1973 to the present.
It has desensitized us to the evil that lurks within our nation.
If people were truly walking in righteousness, there’d be a rising up nationally to come against the wickedness that wants people dead rather than alive.
The trivialization and romanticizing of death is from Satan himself, and John 10:10 reminds us his goal is to steal, kill and destroy.
Let us protect life at all stages.
Let us be people who’re “well versed” in these tough issues—people who trust in the character of God and His sovereignty over life—and death!
Pursue and Value Wisdom
In our culture, youthfulness is celebrated while aging is dreaded.
We’re obsessed with the next generation!
Wisdom is so rarely valued and pursued.
Yet Leviticus 19:32 states it succinctly:
“Stand up in the presence of the elderly, and show respect for the aged.”
And the New Testament echoes the Old . . . ”you who are younger, be subject to the elders.”
Our children need to learn to interview grandparents—to hear the wisdom they have to share.
Today, it’s as simple as a smartphone video at the dinner table, or using Facetime and Skype.
Those who’ve gone before us, leave us with a testament of God’s sustaining grace—of His story of His provision and His love—a heritage of faithfulness passed on through godly lives.
Let us learn from the generations before us—and let us pray that we become them!
The Best Environment for Sustaining Life
Did you know that marriage between a man and a woman committed to one another is the best environment for sustaining human life?
Wayne Grudem in an exhaustive work titled: “Politics According to the Bible” cited research conducted by The Heritage Foundation.
It shows that children with their own two married parents are less likely to end up in poverty, commit crimes and to engage in alcohol and substance abuse.
And they’re more likely to have physical health and emotional health, higher standards of integrity and higher moral principles.
In fact, the greatest predictor of poverty and a child being at risk is for a child to not have a married daddy and mommy.
At the core of the issue is the fact that children need and deserve a mother and a father!
