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What the Bible Teaches About Capitalism


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As the Ten Commandments instruct, envy is corrosive to the individual and to those societies that embrace it.

By ARYEH SPERO
JANUARY 30, 2012, 11:38 A.M. ET

Who would have expected that in a Republican primary campaign the single biggest complaint among candidates would be that the front-runner has taken capitalism too far? As if his success and achievement were evidence of something unethical and immoral? President Obama and other redistributionists must be rejoicing that their assumptions about rugged capitalism and the 1% have been given such legitimacy.

More than any other nation, the United States was founded on broad themes of morality rooted in a specific religious perspective. We call this the Judeo-Christian ethos, and within it resides a ringing endorsement of capitalism as a moral endeavor.

Regarding mankind, no theme is more salient in the Bible than the morality of personal responsibility, for it is through this that man cultivates the inner development leading to his own growth, good citizenship and happiness. The entitlement/welfare state is a paradigm that undermines that noble goal.

The Bible's proclamation that "Six days shall ye work" is its recognition that on a day-to-day basis work is the engine that brings about man's inner state of personal responsibility. Work develops the qualities of accountability and urgency, including the need for comity with others as a means for the accomplishment of tasks. With work, he becomes imbued with the knowledge that he is to be productive and that his well-being is not an entitlement. And work keeps him away from the idleness that Proverbs warns leads inevitably to actions and attitudes injurious to himself and those around him.

Yet capitalism is not content with people only being laborers and holders of jobs, indistinguishable members of the masses punching in and out of mammoth factories or functioning as service employees in government agencies. Nor is the Bible. Unlike socialism, mired as it is in the static reproduction of things already invented, capitalism is dynamic and energetic. It cheerfully fosters and encourages creativity, unspoken possibilities, and dreams of the individual. Because the Hebrew Bible sees us not simply as "workers" and members of the masses but, rather, as individuals, it heralds that characteristic which endows us with individuality: our creativity.

At the opening bell, Genesis announces: "Man is created in the image of God"—in other words, like Him, with individuality and creative intelligence. Unlike animals, the human being is not only a hunter and gatherer but a creative dreamer with the potential of unlocking all the hidden treasures implanted by God in our universe. The mechanism of capitalism, as manifest through investment and reasoned speculation, helps facilitate our partnership with God by bringing to the surface that which the Almighty embedded in nature for our eventual extraction and activation.

Capitalism makes possible entrepreneurship, which is the realization of an idea birthed in human creativity. Whereas statism demands that citizens think small and bow to a top-down conformity, capitalism, as has been practiced in the U.S., maximizes human potential. It provides a home for aspiration, referred to in the Bible as "the spirit of life."

The Bible speaks positively of payment and profit: "For why else should a man so labor but to receive reward?" Thus do laborers get paid wages for their hours of work and investors receive profit for their investment and risk.

The Bible is not a business-school manual. While it is comfortable with wealth creation and the need for speculation in economic markets, it has nothing to say about financial instruments and models such as private equity, hedge funds or other forms of monetary capitalization. What it does demand is honesty, fair weights and measures, respect for a borrower's collateral, timely payments of wages, resisting usury, and empathy for those injured by life's misfortunes and charity.

It also demands transparency and honesty regarding one's intentions. The command, "Thou shalt not place a stumbling block in front of the blind man" also means that you should not act deceitfully or obscure the truth from those whose choice depends upon the information you give them. There's nothing to indicate that Mitt Romney breached this biblical code of ethics, and his wealth and success should not be seen as automatic causes for suspicion.

No country has achieved such broad-based prosperity as has America, or invented as many useful things, or seen as many people achieve personal promise. This is not an accident. It is the direct result of centuries lived by the free-market ethos embodied in the Judeo-Christian outlook.

Furthermore, only a prosperous nation can protect itself from outside threats, for without prosperity the funds to support a robust military are unavailable. Having radically enlarged the welfare state and hoping to further expand it, President Obama is attempting to justify his cuts to our military by asserting that defense needs must give way to domestic programs.

Both history and the Bible show the way that leads. Countries that were once economic powerhouses atrophied and declined, like England after World War II, once they began adopting socialism. Even King Solomon's thriving kingdom crashed once his son decided to impose onerous taxes.

At the end of Genesis, we hear how after years of famine the people in Egypt gave all their property to the government in return for the promise of food. The architect of this plan was Joseph, son of Jacob, who had risen to become the pharaoh's top official, thus: "Joseph exchanged all the land of Egypt for pharaoh and the land became pharaoh's." The result was that Egyptians became indentured to the ruler and state, and Joseph's descendants ended up enslaved to the state.

Many on the religious left criticize capitalism because all do not end up monetarily equal—or, as Churchill quipped, "all equally miserable." But the Bible's prescription of equality means equality under the law, as in Deuteronomy's saying that "Judges and officers . . . shall judge the people with a just judgment: Do not . . . favor one over the other." Nowhere does the Bible refer to a utopian equality that is contrary to human nature and has never been achieved.

The motive of capitalism's detractors is a quest for their own power and an envy of those who have more money. But envy is a cardinal sin and something that ought not to be.

God begins the Ten Commandments with "I am the Lord your God" and concludes with "Thou shalt not envy your neighbor, not for his wife, nor his house, nor for any of his holdings." Envy is corrosive to the individual and to those societies that embrace it. Nations that throw over capitalism for socialism have made an immoral choice.

Rabbi Spero [ http://www.caucusforamerica.com/site.about.php ; http://www.shmoozenet.com/yudel/mtarchives/001198.html ; http://www.rightwingwatch.org/category/individuals/aryeh-spero ] has led congregations in Ohio and New York and is president of Caucus for America [ http://www.caucusforamerica.com/ ].

Copyright ©2012 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203806504577179303330474134.html [with comments]


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The Complete Ferengi Rules Of Acquisition



Ferengi are a species from StarTrek that was particularly highlighted in Deep Space 9. Their religion is commerce and their society is determined by profit.

The Ferengi believe that the universe is held together by the Great Material Continuum, also known as the Great River. The Ferengi believe that each part of the universe has too much of one thing, but not enough of another, and it is through the continual flow of the Great River that wants and needs can be fulfilled, if one navigates the River with sufficient entrepreneurial skill.

The Complete Ferengi Rules Of Acquisition 
  
 1.  Once you have their money, never give it back 
  
 2.  You can't cheat an honest customer, but it never hurts to try 
  
 3.  Never spend more for an acquisition than you have to 
  
 4.  Sex and profit are the two things that never last long enough 
  
 5.  If you can't break a contract, bend it 
  
 6.  Never let family stand in the way of opportunity 
  
 7.  Always keep you ears open 
  
 8.  Keep count of your change 
  
 9.  Instinct plus opportunity equals profit 
  
 10.  A dead customer can't buy as much as a live one 
  
 11.  Latinum isn't the only thing that shines 
  
 12.  Anything worth selling is worth selling twice 
  
 13.  Anything worth doing is worth doing for money 
  
 14.  Anything stolen is pure profit 
  
 15.  Acting stupid is often smart 
  
 16.  A deal is a deal ... until a better one comes along 
  
 17.  A bargain usually isn't 
  
 18.  A Ferengi without profit is no Ferengi at all 
  
 19.  Don't lie too soon after a promotion 
  
 20.  When the customer is sweating, turn up the heat 
  
 21.  Never place friend ship before profit 
  
 22.  wise men can hear profit in the wind 
  
 23.  Never take the last coin, but be sure to get the rest 
  
 24.  Never ask when you can take 
  
 25.  Fear makes a good business partner 
  
 26.  The vast majority of the rich in this galaxy did not inherit their wealth; they stole it 
  
 27.  The most beautiful thing about a tree is what you do with it after you cut it down 
  
 28.  Morality is always defined by those in power 
  
 29.  When someone says "It's not the money," they're lying 
  
 30.  Talk is cheap; synthehol costs money 
  
 31.  Never make fun of a Ferengi's mother 
  
 32.  Be careful what you sell. It may do exactly what the customer expects 
  
 33.  It never hurts to suck up to the boss 
  
 34.  War is good for business 
  
 35.  Peace is good for business 
  
 36.  Too many Ferengi can't laugh at themselves anymore 
  
 37.  You can always buy back a lost reputation 
  
 38.  Free advertising is cheap 
  
 39.  Praise is cheap. Heap it generously on all customers 
  
 40.  If you see profit on a journey, take it 
  
 41.  Money talks, but having a lots of it gets more attention 
  
 42.  Only negotiate when you are certain to profit 
  
 43.  Caressing an ear is often more forceful than pointing a weapon 
  
 44.  Never argue with a loaded phaser 
  
 45.  profit has limits. Loss has none 
  
 46.  Labor camps are full of people who trusted the wrong person 
  
 47.  Never trust a man wearing a better suit than you own 
  
 48.  The bigger the smile, the sharper the knife 
  
 49.  Old age and greed will always overcome youth and talent 
  
 50.  Never bluff a Klingon 
  
 51.  Never admit a mistake if there's someone else to blame 
  
 52.  Only Bugsy could have built Las Vegas 
  
 53.  Sell first; ask questions later 
  
 54.  Never buy anything you can't sell 
  
 55.  Always sell at the highest possible profit 
  
 56.  Pursue profit; women come later 
  
 57.  Good customers are almost as rare as Latinum - treasure them 
  
 58.  Friendship is seldom cheap 
  
 59.  Fee advice is never cheap 
  
 60.  Never use Latinum where your words will do 
  
 61.  Never buy what can be stolen 
  
 62.  The riskier the road, the greater the profit 
  
 63.  power without profit is like a ship without an engine 
  
 64.  Don't talk shop; talk shopping 
  
 65.  Don't talk ship; talk shipping 
  
 66.  Anyone serving in a fleet who is crazy can be relieved, if they ask for it 
  
 67.  Enough is never enough 
  
 68.  Compassion is no substitute for a profit 
  
 69.  You could afford your ship without your government - if it weren't for your government 
  
 70.  Get the money first, then let the buyers worry about collecting the merchandise 
  
 71.  Gamble and trade have two things in common: risk and Latinum 
  
 72.  Never let the competition know, what you're thinking 
  
 73.  Never trust advice from a dying Ferengi; listen but don't trust 
  
 74.  A Ferengi without profit is no Ferengi at all 
  
 75.  Home is where the heart is, but the stars are made of Latinum 
  
 76.  Every once in a while, declare peace. It confuses the hell out of your enemies 
  
 77.  Go where no Ferengi has gone before; where there is no reputation there is profit 
  
 78.  There is a customer born every minute 
  
 79.  Beware of the Vulcan greed for knowledge 
  
 80.  If it works, sell it. If it works well, sell it for more. If it doesn't work, quadruple the price and sell it as an antique 
  
 81.  There's nothing more dangerous than an honest businessman 
  
 82.  A smart customer is not a good customer 
  
 83.  Revenge is profitless 
  
 84.  She can touch your ears but never your Latinum 
  
 85.  Death takes no bribes 
  
 86.  A wife is a luxury,  a smart accountant a necessity 
  
 87.  Trust is the biggest liability of all 
  
 88.  When the boss comes to dinner, it never hurts to have the wife wear something 
  
 89.  Latinum lasts longer than lust 
  
 90.  Mine is better than ours 
  
 91.  He who drinks fast pays slow 
  
 92.  Never confuse wisdom with luck 
  
 93.  He's a fool who makes his doctor his heir 
  
 94.  Beware of small expenses: a small leak will kill a ship 
  
 95.  Important, more impotant, Latinum 
  
 96.  Faith moves mountains - of inventory 
  
 97.  If you would keep a secret from an enemy, don't tell it to a friend 
  
 98.  Profit is the better part of valor 
  
 99.  Never trust a wise man 
  
 100.  Everything that has no owner, needs one 
  
 101.  Never do something you can make someone do for you 
  
 102.  Nature decays, but Latinum lasts forever 
  
 103.  Sleep can interfere with opportunity 
  
 104.  Money is never made. It is merely won or lost 
  
 105.  Wise men don't lie, they just bend the truth 
  
 106.  There is no honor in poverty 
  
 107.  Win or lose, there's always Huyperian Beetle Snuff 
  
 108.  A woman wearing clothes is like a man without profit 
  
 109.  Dignity and an empty sack is worth the sack 
  
 110.  Only a fool passes up a business opportunity 
  
 111.  Treat people in your debt like family ... exploit them 
  
 112.  Never sleep with the boss's wife unless you pay him first 
  
 113.  Never sleep with the boss's sister 
  
 114.  Small print lead to large risk 
  
 115.  Greed is eternal 
  
 116.  There's always a way out 
  
 117.  If the profit seems too good to be true, it usually is 
  
 118.  Never cheat a honest man offering a decent price 
  
 119.  Buy, sell, or get out of the way 
  
 120.  Even a blind man can recognize the glow of Latinum 
  
 121.  Everything is for sale, even friendship 
  
 122.  As the customers go, so goes the wise profiteer 
  
 123.  A friend is only a friend until you sell him something. Then he is a customer 
  
 124.  Friendship is temporary, profit is forever 
  
 125.  A lie isn't a lie until someone else knows the truth 
  
 126.  A lie isn't a lie, it's just the truth seen from a different point of view 
  
 127.  Gratitude can bring on generosity 
  
 128.  Ferengi are not responsible for the stupidity of other races 
  
 129.  Never trust your customers 
  
 130.  Never trust a beneficiary 
  
 131.  If it gets you profit, sell your own mother 
  
 132.  The flimsier the produce, the higher the price 
  
 133.  Never judge a customer by the size of his wallet ... sometimes good things come in small packages 
  
 134.  There's always a catch 
  
 135.  The only value of a collectible is what you can get somebody else to pay for it 
  
 136.  The sharp knife cuts quickly. Act without delay! 
  
 137.  Necessity is the mother of invention. Profit is the father 
  
 138.  Law makes everyone equal, but justice goes to the highest bidder 
  
 139.  Wives serve; brother inherit 
  
 140.  The answer to quick and easy profit is: buy for less, sell for more 
  
 141.  Competition and fair play are mutually exclusive. Fait play and financial loss go hand-in-hand 
  
 142.  A Ferengi waits to bid until his opponents have exhausted themselves 
  
 143.  The family of Fools is ancient 
  
 144.  There's nothing wrong with charity ... as long as it winds up in your pocket 
  
 145.  Always ask for the costs first 
  
 146.  If possible sell neither the sizzle nor the steak, but the Elphasian wheat germ 
  
 147.  New customers are like razor toothed gree worms. They can be succulent, but sometimes they bite back 
  
 148.  Opportunity waits for no one 
  
 149.  Females and finances don't mix 
  
 150.  Make your shop easy to find 
  
 151.  Sometimes, what you get free costs entirely too much 
  
 152.  Ask not what your profits can do for you; ask what you can do for your profits 
  
 153.  You can't free a fish from water 
  
 154.  The difference between manure and Latinum is commerece 
  
 155.  What's mine is mine, and what's yours is mine too 
  
 156.  Even in the worst of times someone turns a profit 
  
 157.  You are surrounded by opportunities; you just have to know where to look 
  
 158.  Don't pay until you have the goods 
  
 159.  The customer is always right ... until you have their cash 
  
 160.  Respect is good, Latinum is better 
  
 161.  Never kill a customer, unless you make more profit out of his death than out of his life 
  
 162.  His money is only your's when he can't get it back 
  
 163.  A thirsty customer is good for profit, a drunk one isn't 
  
 164.  Never spend your own money when you can spend someone else's 
  
 165.  Never allow one's culture's law to get in the way of a universal goal: profit 
  
 166.  Never give away for free what can be sold 
  
 167.  If a deal is fairly and lawfully made, then seeking revenge especially unprofitable revenge, is illegal 
  
 168.  Beware of relatives bearing gifts 
  
 169.  If you're going to have to endure, make yourself comfortable 
  
 170.  Never gamble with an empath 
  
 171.  Time is Latinum. The early Ferengi get the Latinum 
  
 172.  If you can sell it, don't hsitate to steal it 
  
 173.  A piece of Latinum in the hand is worth two in a customer's pocket 
  
 174.  Share and perish 
  
 175.  a) When everything fails - scream as loud as you can 
  
 b) When everything fails - run  
  
 176.  Ferengi's don't give promotional gifts! 
  
 177.  Know your enemies ... but do business with them always 
  
 178.  The world is a stage - don't forget to demand admission 
  
 179.  Whenever you think that things can't get worse, the FCA will be knocking on you door 
  
 180.  Never offer a confession when a bribe will do 
  
 181.  Even dishonesty can't tarnish the glow of Latinum 
  
 182.  Whenever you're being asked if you are god, the right answer is YES 
  
 183.  Genius without opportunity is like Latinum in the mine 
  
 184.  There are three things you must not talk to aliens: sex, religion and taxes 
  
 185.  If you want to ruin yourself there are three known ways: Gambling is the fastest, women are the sweetest, and banks are the most reliable way 
  
 186.  There are two things that will catch up with you for sure: death and taxes 
  
 187.  If your dancing partner wants to lead at all costs, let her have her own way and ask another one to dance 
  
 188.  Never bet on a race you haven't fixed 
  
 189.  Borrow on a handshake; lend in writing 
  
 190.  Drive your business or it will drive you 
  
 191.  Let other keep their reputation. You keep their money 
  
 192.  If the flushing isn't strong enough, use your brain and try the brush 
  
 193.  Klingon women don't dance tango 
  
 194.  It's always good business to know about new customers before they walk in your door 
  
 195.  Wounds heal, but debt is forever 
  
 196.  Only give money to people you know you can steal from 
  
 197.  Never trust your customers, especially if they are your relatives 
  
 198.  Employees are the rungs on your ladder to success - don't hesitate to step on them 
  
 199.  The secret of one person is another person's opportunity 
  
 200.  A madman with Latinum means profit without return 
  
 201.  The justification for profit is profit 
  
 202.  a)  A friend in need is a customer in the making 
  
 b)  A friend in need means three times the profit 
  
 203.  A Ferengi in need, will never do anything for free 
  
 204.  When the Grand Nagus arrives to offer you a business opportunity, it's time to leave town until he's gone 
  
 205.  When the customer dies, the money stops a-comin' 
  
 206.  Fighting with Klingons is like gambling with Cardassians - it's good to have a friend around when you lose 
  
 207.  Never trust a hardworking employee 
  
 208.  Give someone a fish, you feed him for one day.  Teach him how to fish, and you lose a steady customer 
  
 209.  Tell them what they want to hear 
  
 210.  A wife, who is able to clean, saves the cleaning lady 
  
 211.  In business deals, a disruptor can be almost as important as a calculator 
  
 212.  If they accept your first offer, you either asked too little or offered too much 
  
 213.  Stay neutral in conflicts so that you can sell supplies to both sides 
  
 214.  Never begin a business transaction on an empty stomach 
  
 215.  Instinct without opportunity is useless 
  
 216.  Never take hospitality from someone worse off than yourself 
  
 217.  Only pay for it, if you are confronted with loaded phaser 
  
 218.  Always know what you're buying 
  
 219.  A friend is not a friend if he asks for a discount 
  
 220.  Profit is like a bed of roses - a few thorns are inevitable 
  
 221.  Beware of any man who thinks with his lobes 
  
 222.  Knowledge is Latinum 
  
 223.  Rich men don't come to buy; they come to take 
  
 224.  Never throw anything away: It may be worht a lot of Latinum some Stardate 
  
 225.  Pride comes before a loss 
  
 226.  Don't take your family for granted, only their Latinum 
  
 227.  Loyalty can be bought ... and sold 
  
 228.  All things come to those who wait, even Latinum 
  
 229.  Beware the man who doesn't make time for oo-mox 
  
 230.  Manipulation may be a Ferengi's greatest tool, and liability 
  
 231.  If you steal it, make sure it has a warranty 
  
 232.  Life's no fair (How else would you turn a profit?) 
  
 233.  Every dark cloud has a Latinum lining 
  
 234.  Never deal with beggars; it's bad for profits 
  
 235.  Don't trust anyone who trusts you 
  
 236.  You can't buy fate 
  
 237.  There's a sucker born every minute.  Be sure you're the first to find each one 
  
 238.  The truth will cost 
  
 239.  Ambition knows no family 
  
 240.  The higher you bid, the more customers you drive away 
  
 241.  Never underestimate the inportance of the fist impression 
  
 242.  More is good, all is better 
  
 243.  If you got something nice to say, then SHOUT 
  
 244.  If you can't sell it, sit on it, but never give it away 
  
 245.  A warranty is valid only if they can find you 
  
 246.  He that speaks ill of the wares will buy them 
  
 247.  Never question luck 
  
 248.  Celebrate when you are paid, not, when you are promised 
  
 249.  Respect other culture's beliefs; they'll be more likely to give you money 
  
 250.  A dead vendor doesn't demand money 
  
 251.  Satisfaction is not guaranteed 
  
 252.  Let the buyer beware 
  
 253.  A contract without fine print is a fool's document 
  
 254.  Anyone who can't tell a fake doesn't deserve the real thing 
  
 255.  A warranty without loop-holes is a liability 
  
 256.  Synthehol is the lubricant of choice for a customer's stuck purse 
  
 257.  Only fools negotiate with their own money 
  
 258.  A Ferengi is only as important as the amount of Latinum he carries in his pockets 
  
 259.  A lie is a way to tell the truth to someone who doesn't know 
  
 260.  Gambling is like the way to power: The only way to win is to cheat, but don't get caught in the process 
  
 261.  A wealthy man can afford everything except a conscience 
  
 262.  No lobes, no profit 
  
 263.  Never let a female in clothes cloud your sense of profit 
  
 264.  It's not the size of your planet, but it's income, that matters 
  
 265.  The fear of loss may be your greatest enemy or your best friend - choose wisely 
  
 266.  A pair of good ears will ring dry a hundred tongues 
  
 267.  Wish not so much to live Long, as to live well 
  
 268.  a) When in doubt, lie 
  
 b) When in doubt, buy 
  
 c) When in doubt, demand more money 
  
 d) When in doubt, shoot them, take their money, run and blame someone else 
  
 269.  Never purchase anything that has been promised to be valuable or go up in value 
  
 270.  It's better to have gambled and lost than to never have gambled at all 
  
 271.  There's many witty men whose brains can't line their pockets 
  
 272.  The way to a Ferengi's heart is through his wallet 
  
 273.  Always count their Latinum before selling anything 
  
 274.  There is no profit in love; however, a strong heart is worth a few bars of Latinum on the open market. Keep it on ice 
  
 275.  Latinum can't buy happiness, but you can sure have a blast renting it 
  
 276.  If at first you don't succeed, try to acquire again 
  
 277.  Diamonds may be girl's best friend, but you can only buy the girl with Latinum 
  
 278.  It's better to swallow your pride than to lose your profit 
  
 279.  Never close a deal too soon after a female strokes your lobes 
  
 280.  An empty bag can not stand upright 
  
 281.  Blood is thicker than water, but harder to sell 
  
 282.  Business is like war; it's important to recognize the winner 
  
 283.  Rules are always subject to change 
  
 284.  Rules are always subject to interpretation 
  
 285.  No good deed ever goes unpunished 
  
 286.  When Morn leaves it is all over [Quark's Rule]

http://projectsanctuary.com/the_complete_ferengi_rules_of_acquisition.htm , 175. conformed to http://freepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~wakefield/ferenghi.html

*

Stages of Acquisition

In addition to the Rules, Ferengi recognize five Stages of Acquisition:

1. Infatuation: An unreasoning love or attraction … "I want it."

2. Justification: Moral excuse used to explain … "I must have it!"

3. Appropriation: To take to one's self in exclusion of others … "IT'S MINE AT LAST!"

4. Obsession: A compulsive or irrational preoccupation … "My Precious!"

5. Resale: The action of selling something previously bought … "Make me an offer."

from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rules_of_Acquisition


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