But in seriousness, I think that "all the riches and liberty" that capitalism brings is the object of a type of faith in the free market, not an observable reality.  Capitalism is an economic system that brings both freedom and unfreedom, both wealth and poverty, much like any other economic system.  It may be preferable to all other options, but I don't think Christians can participate in the free market wholesale and feel morally justified doing so. 

There is a distinctly Christian way to purchase, produce and consume things within a "free market."

@SirNickDon@xanga - Capitalism is an economic system that brings both freedom and unfreedom, both wealth and poverty, much like any other economic system. 

What other economic system are you referring too?  Capitalism generates so much wealth that scarcity need not ever be a problem again.  In fact if you look at almost any book on economics you will find the word "scarcity" the definition of "economics".  Even after almost four centuries of capitalism the textbooks haven't even caught up with it.

Understanding the priniciples of economics is like understanding the principles of science.  They are morally neutral.  Physical principles define physical reality.  Those who defy natural principles end up having a hard time of it.

Capitalism eliminates scarcity.  So why is there still scarcity?  Knowing the answer to that questions is "The Christian Advantage".

@SirNickDon@xanga - For instance, mercantilism.  Or, feudalism.

Mercantilism and feudalism do not generate wealth or create wealth.  They merely distribute limited resources to the top rung of the economic ladder.

But because capitalism actually creates wealth all members of a capitalist economy can become outrageously rich. 

Consequently, scarcity becomes a moral issue not an economic one.  That's why I wrote this article.  Since capitalism eliminates scarcity why does scarcity still exist?

And why do far too many Christians focus on scarcity which should not exist instead of focusing on generating wealth in order to help the poor?  Also, by generating sufficient wealth working is no longer necessary and the Christian can then go into full time ministry.

Most economic systems can be used for good or bad. It is man's innate sinfulness and greed that gives capitalism a bad image. Working for one's self interest can benefit others, but doesn't have to if we don't want it to...and there are many people who don't want it to. There are obviously many other huge kinks in capitalism, or else there would not be so many people trapped in cycles of poverty or waiting in unemployment lines. The Church in Acts demonstrated a form of socialism, yet socialism has been proven to have the potential of being very disastrous. From a Christian perspective, the best economic system is to work hard, be wise with investments, and generously care for those who have less. Capitalism certainly has some of the best advantages that allow for this, but people do not always use it in this manner. 

@Demetrios_of_Phaleron@xanga - Obviously, the continued existence of inequality proves that capitalism does *not* magically eliminate scarcity - which is unsurprising, since economics is a social science, not a physical science, and doesn't operate according to fixed laws.

Begging your pardon but that is not correct.  If a person working at McDonalds saved a little of his money for 40 years he would retire a millionaire.  The principle of money compounding in value over time works for the rich and the poor alike.

A major purpose of getting educated is to be able to gain access to better, higher paying jobs.  That necessarily means the time necessary to become independently wealthy becomes far less than the McDonalds worker.

And just think, if the first generation of a family becomes rich, all future generations will start our rich and may be in full time ministry from cradle to grave.

That sounds like the Kingdom of Heaven on earth.

@fallingraindrop@xanga - Give me an example of capitalism creating wealth.  We may be discussing two different things.  

@too_pretty_to_die@xanga - capitalism is only as good as the people at the top

Then why not work to become a person at the top?  Capitalism is the only system that permits that no matter who you are or where you come from.

Capitalism is still subject to economic cycles.  But for those who understand the principles of capitalism it is still possible to become filthy rich in an economic downturn. 

The present situation in the United States economy was caused not from capitalism but from an unholy alliance between government, banking and real estate interests.  The crimes of governments that have grown into tyrannies is another topic altogether.

@fallingraindrop@xanga - I think I asked you this before and didn't get a response: Why is getting rich so important?

@too_pretty_to_die@xanga - because i'm not really interested in getting to the top.

Excellent point.  But you can still save and invest money.  And like the characters in Jesus' parable you put your money to work for you.  The capitalist principle involved here is to have your money go to work so you don't have to.

In time, your money will multiply until you find yourself independently wealthy.  All the while you were enjoying the profession of your choice.

Isn't that great?!  Isn't that just magnificently hopeful?!

@Demetrios_of_Phaleron@xanga - Obviously, the continued existence of inequality proves that capitalism does [i]not[/i] magically make eliminate scarcity 

The notion that inequality is somehow wrong is a Marxist-communist notion.  The universe as created has diversity as a reality.

We should all be equal under the law vis a vis our basic human rights, but that we should all somehow be economically equal simply defies what is possible.

There are great philosophical problems with the Marxist-communist notion of equality.  For example, who determines the level or standard at which we start making things equal?  As with most Marxist ideas the need for an absurdly tyrannical power to make standards work is explicit.

Such tyranny is antithetical to Christian morality.

"Consequently, capitalism has the power to generate enough wealth to
liberate the individual from ever having to work under the domination
of another..."

Except in the parable that you're drawing this from, even the servant who multiplies his ten talents remained a servant.  Our goal as a Christian is not necessarily to be free from servitude--in fact we are bondservants of Jesus, etc. 

You also mention being free from ever having to work again.  A tantalizing concept, to be sure, yet not one that is our lot as fallen humans.  See the curse given to Adam after the fall, especially regarding thorns and thistles.  Our bread comes by sweat--if not ours, then by someone else's. There is always work for wealth.

While wealth can be multiplied by a wise investor, my concern is that you are placing far too much emphasis on it.  Remember that Christians profess to follow the teachings of a homeless rabbi.  Remember, too, the words of Solomon: "Better a poor man whose walk is blameless than a rich man whose ways are perverse."  The love of money can lead one into all kinds of error--we are to use wealth but be careful that wealth has no power over us.

It's also worth considering that, as much as this parable seems to be a capitalist example, the early church as described in Acts 2 equally resembles communism.  Is Scripture contradictory in its financial advice?  Hardly.  Because in neither case is this financial advice.  The multiplication of wealth mentioned in this parable is not the point of this parable, just as the communal living of the early church is not the point of that description of the early church.  Don't look for monetary theory where it wasn't intended.

@WasaiWarrior@xanga -  Technically, capitalism is predicated on the concept of (relatively) free markets, which operate (largely) on economic theory, of which one of the most fundamental principles is scarcity of resources. 

That notion of scarcity is wrong.  Simple observation of our modern economy puts the lie to that.  Our economy is now information driven.  Information can be multiplied infinitely and thus is not scarce.  Therefore shortage is a matter of injustice and morality not economics.

The number of ideas in the human mind are also infinite. And those infinite number of ideas can be turned into reality.  That is creation.  Creation is abundance.  Capitalism is based on creativity and so by its very nature brings limitless abundance.

Technology, defined as "doing something better" is infinite also.  There is no shortage of land, resources or wealth because the human mind was designed to always find a way to "do something better".

I find it strange that Marxism, a philosophy of death, distruction and catastrophic failure has so possessed the thinking of our most educated people.  Case in point, your concept of competition.  Without competition everything wastes away.  Competition is good because it powers improvement.  Human beings are naturally competitive.

Remember, there is no utopia in this world.  But we can maximize our creativity and productivity.  Capitalism is a necessary and glorious part of that picture.