Timothy: 6: 9-10 "But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and hurtful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all evils..."
Jesus' teachings address the very heart of things. A great teaching is one that holds up under any circumstance. Its truth is absolute even though the application is relative. To 'love one another' is always right and true. Circumstances may present unique challenges in manifesting this truth but the power and validity of the teaching are eternal. Jesus does not need to speak directly about oil spills for us to discern his position on such matters. In all cases of unbridled greed and corruption, he chastises the agents behind such unrighteousness. We see this position when he chases out the 'moneychangers' from the temple; when he chastises the scribes and Pharisees for their lust of power and prestige; when he feeds the hungry multitudes; when he shows compassion to the marginalized and suffering poor. He is always against greed and always for humble service to one another.
In the case of the BP oil spill, disregard for people, communities, and the planet, and sole regard for profit-making ultimately account for what happened. As long as we continue to justify profit-making at the expense of human dignity and well being; as long as we keep Jesus out of our economic and political lives - then we'll be followers of the wrong profit.
3 comments:
So what do we do with all the greedy people in this world? They keep staying greedy and ruining the environment. The average person has to work their lives away just to keeps the wolves from taking what little they can afford.
There are 3 primary stages in life: Purgative, illuminative and unitive. Until we become dispassioned to the things of this world most people remain in the purgative phase - attempting to gain freedom from the shackles of addictions, fears and judgements. In this phase people turn, erroneously, to the world for answers and happiness. The few that make it to the illuminative stage have the gift of new eyes and ears. At this stage event's like the oil spill, while tragic to many, are also part of a greater good and part of the pattern of complexification followed by unity and simplification. As with all tragedy there lies before us a gift waiting to be heard and understood - a calling. While it may take decades for us to unravel it's meaning in full - the awakening to our oneness with mother earth and all creation is happening and may one day be seen as well worth the small price of the spear that has pierced the side of mother earth.
Hey Joseph, I've thought about the conflicting ideologies of Christianity and the American Free Enterprise system ever since I took my first undergraduate Economics course.
In this Catholic college, my instructor actually saw the two in total opposition, and couldn't reconcile anyone being a Republican and a Christian at the same time.
I do grasp the notion greed plays in a capital society; certainly it's a strong motive for financial achievement. On the other hand, we all can see the importance of owning a profitable business; profits lead to greater economic benefits for the entire community. That's pretty basic stuff,i.e., jobs, money to spend and buy, taxes to support any number of social benefits, like schools, paved roads, water & sewer etc.
Under the free enterprise system, America, as well as Americans have thrived. No, it's not a perfect system; people fall through the cracks, business bullies take advantage of a labor force, etc.
It seems, however, that the capital system of ours has done a better job of spreading the money around than do athoritarian societies or third world countries. The very poorest of the world still seek citizenship here in American in order out to find some quality of life.
The management of money (capital) has with it a great responsibility for equity among the population. Greed, of course is a (capital) sin. To an onlooker, the practice of mismanagement, unfair employment practices, etc. is repulsive, and at the best, is disturbing. On the other hand, the owner's ability to provide jobs, produce a bustling economy with the production of goods, and a higher standard of living for people holds a rather positive aspect
Can a Christian be a capitalist? Why not? To be like Christ is an attitude that can be held by the prosperous owner as well as his/her employees. While it may appear to be so for some, to be poor is not a criteria for being a Christian.
I'm not on a soap box, Joseph. The above are some of my thoughts and conclusions , as I face the issues of capitalism and Christianity in the United States.
The gulf oil spill appears to me as the most greedy and dastardly disregard for God's creation as has occurred. It's too horrid for me to contemplate, and I am helpless to do anything about it. ----Except that I did buy a gasoline economizer Toyota Prius.
I wonder, with amusement of course, if it's a car that Jesus would drive.
Great Blessings to you Joseph, David
Post a Comment