It is not a free market that has done it. It has been a mixed market with regulations. Otherwise, wealth gets accumulated in the hands of the few and they then oppress the poor. I am not saying that is what is happening now, but if the market is not regulated that is most certainly what will happen.

 

That is a little like giving credit to the referees for an outstanding game. Government should be a lightweight referee. But the game is free-market, capitalism and personal freedom. The 3 all go together.

 

Notice that the scandals and abuses are usually dealing with publicly held companies. While public stock markets let all of us participate in 'the game' it is certainly something subject to abuse and manipulation. The SEC is supposed to regulate this. I think they have not so well for a number of years across multiple administration.

 

Capitalism and free-markets still need the leaders to have a moral compass. Some leaders have certainly failed there. But the vast majority of business leaders are very stand-up people.

No it is giving credit to the rules in place. The referees are there to enforce the rules, they can choose to call a tight game, or they can let them play. However, to attempt to play the game without good rules and regulations in place . . . well there would be no game at all. There are fouls and there are walks and there are 3 seconds, and there most certainly are things that are simply out of bounds. The game is well regulated and that is what makes it good.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/13/american-social-welfare-state-mitt-romney_n_1205357.html

 

FWIW I don't consider people who are wealthy as evil. My issue is with the system, which is amoral. Folks are just playing the game within the prescribed system. Individual make persona sacrifices won't change the system, it takes people putting pressure on the people who set up the system.

 

For all of the Christians on here, what does a Christ Centered economic system look like.

 

Funny you should ask. From today's Saddleback Church daily:

 

“The rich man had to admire the dishonest rascal for being so shrewd. And it is true that the children of this world are more shrewd in dealing with the world around them than are the children of the light.” (Luke 16:8 NLT)

 

This parable is packed with truth...First, he teaches us the principle of shrewdness.It seems dishonest, but Jesus actually commends the man for being shrewd...We tend to think of shrewdness as a negative trait. But it isn’t. It also means being wise. God wants us to be wise with what he has given us.

Funny you should ask. From today's Saddleback Church daily:

 

“The rich man had to admire the dishonest rascal for being so shrewd. And it is true that the children of this world are more shrewd in dealing with the world around them than are the children of the light.” (Luke 16:8 NLT)

 

This parable is packed with truth...First, he teaches us the principle of shrewdness.It seems dishonest, but Jesus actually commends the man for being shrewd...We tend to think of shrewdness as a negative trait. But it isn’t. It also means being wise. God wants us to be wise with what he has given us.

 

Being shrewd is not an economic system . . . how about these scriptures:

Guard against the teachers of the Law of Moses! They love to walk around in long robes, and they like to be greeted in the market. They want the front seats in the meeting places and the best seats at banquets. But they cheat widows out of their home and then pray long prayers just to show off. The teachers will be punished most of all.

 

If you would only give what you hve to the poor, everything you do would please God. You pharisees are in for trouble! You give God a tenth of the spices from your gardens, such as mint and rue. But you cheat people and you don't love God. You should befair and kind to others and still give a tenth to God.

 

All the Lord's followers often met together an d they shared everything they had. The would sell their property and possessions and give the money to whoever needed it.

 

None of them claimed that their possessions were their own, and they shared everything they had with each other. Everyone who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money to the apostles. Then they would give the money to anyone who needed it.

 

Take care of God's needy people and welcome strangers into your home.

 

You know that our Lord Jesus Christ was kind enough to give all his riches and become poor. . . It does not matter how much you have. What matters is how much you are willing to give from what you have. I am not trying to make life easier for others by making life harder for you. But it is only fair for you to share with them whey have so much, and they have so little. Later, when thye have more than enough, and you are in need, they can share with you. Then everyone will have a fair share., just as the scriptures say, "those who gathered too much had nothing left. Those who gathered only a little had all they needed."