Read it at CNN Belief Blog
My Take: Jesus was a free marketer, not an Occupier
by Tony Perkins
Editor's note: Tony Perkins is president of the Family Research Council in Washington.
(h/t Keven Fathi via email)
The parable of the three stewards is about the free market, you see, and the parable is about Jesus' endorsement of it.
I kid you not.
Parables generally have a twist near the end, a final jolt to drive the point home. This one is no exception. The ruler orders that the capital, or opportunity, given to the lazy servant be taken from him and given to the most productive servant. "To everyone who has, more shall be given," the Bible reads, "but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away."
Jesus rejected collectivism and the mentality that has occupied America for the last few decades: that everyone gets a trophy – equal outcomes for inequitable performance. There are winners and yes, there are losers. And wins and losses are determined by the diligence and determination of the individual.
Some would argue that such an approach encourages abuses, the likes of which we have seen on Wall Street. While some egregious abuses have taken place, they are not inevitable or intrinsic to free enterprise.
The parable of the king and the servants endorses the principles of business and the free market when properly employed.
8 comments:
The parable of the king and the servants endorses the principles of business and the free market when properly employed.
so monarchies employ "free market" principles now? Interesting! I'd love to hear how that one works! Are monarchies "capitalist"? And we thought democracy and capitalism didn't go together!!! haha
And so only in free markets is an individual able to be "diligent and determined"? Really? Again...most interesting...
Jesus also raided the temples of money changers...is that the act of an "occupier" or a "free marketer"?
Jesus also talked about wolves in sheep clothing coming "in his name" whom he "knows not."
Where do all the chips TRULY lay? Didn't Lloyd say he was doing "God's work" too?
This passage is more revealing that the author is making a desperate last ditch effort at trying to convince himself of the free markets rather than the reader? LOL
I think the Jesus that Luke knows and preaches about might disagree with this author...just a dash...perhaps....maybe. ;)
Oh this is rich.
Here's Luke:
http://concordant.org/version/NewFiles/03_Luke.htm
Let's look at Luke 19 that Perkins cites:
15 "And, obtaining the kingdom, it occurred at his coming back, that he said also to summon to him these slaves to whom he had given the silver, that he may know what business they do.
16 Now along came the first, saying, 'Lord, your mina earns ten minas.'
17 And he said to him, 'Well done, surely, good slave! Seeing that you became faithful in the least, be having authority over ten cities.'
18 And the second came, saying, 'Your mina, lord, makes five minas.'
19 Now he said to this one also, 'And you, be over five cities.'
20 "And a different one came, saying, 'Lord, lo! your mina which I had, reserved in a handkerchief.
21 For I feared you, seeing that you are a harsh man. You are picking up what you do not lay down and reaping what you do not sow.'
[The guy was running an organized crime syndicate and this slave who was just feared him, feared repercussions from losing his money. See Mat 25:25 "25 And, being afraid, coming away, I hide your talent in the earth. Lo! you have what is yours!"]
22 Now he is saying to him, 'Out of your mouth will I judge you, wicked slave! You were aware that I am a harsh man, picking up what I do not lay down and reaping what I do not sow.
23 And wherefore do you not give my silver to the bank, and I, coming, would utilize it together with interest?'"
So the guy ADMITS he's a lawless crook, and then says to the just slave that since he knew he was a lawless crook, he should have just given his silver to THE BANK and he could have at least earned interest on it while he was gone...
Imposing interest WAS ILLEGAL moron Perkins.
If the leadership of the house of Israel was enforcing the Mosaic laws of the ZIRP and the Job Guaranty, the accounts (so-called "gospels") of Matthew and Luke could NOT have even been written.
Moron Perkins takes the side of the "goat people" (eternally stubborn to the detriment of all we others)
The goat people will have their earthly rewards, with interest, when He returns, and that is all they should expect. His lost sheep will receive much higher rewards.
At least this is the way I view the parables...
Resp,
Deuteronomy 25:13
Don't carry around with you two weights, one heavy and the other light, and don't keep two measures at hand, one large and the other small. Use only one weight, a true and honest weight, and one measure, a true and honest measure, so that you will live a long time on the land that God, your God, is giving you. Dishonest weights and measures are an abomination to God, your God—all this corruption in business deals!
hilarious Beo.
right on Matt.
great quote MA.
It appears these issues are not new to God. ;)
Proverbs 28:16
Among leaders who lack insight (Congress, Bernanke, Geithner, Congress) abuse abounds, but for one who hates corruption (MIKE!), the future is bright.
Oh yeah, beowulf, I got custy pasty so quick I nearly forgot (then Mario posted) to give you props for being so frickin funny- LMAAO A good laugh is a great way to end a day :)
Thanks guys. Its hilarious that the guy (Al Franken) who wrote that is now a US Senator.
If people knew I was healing lepers, there would be no INCENTIVE to AVOID leprosy."
:o)
MA,
Thanks for that one didnt know about that...
Resp,
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