Redeeming Capitalism
Can capitalism be redeemed? The Occupy Movement does believe it can. Still I say, “Yes it can!” For lots of people it is simple to blame capitalism for our current economic environment. The truth is capitalism is not evil and it’s not what triggered this economic crisis. Precisely what triggered this financial mess are the people who immorally in addition to unethically used the free enterprise system for their own benefit with no regard for who they would hurt in the process. So don’t blame the system. Blame those who hijacked the system for their own devious pleasures.
Admittedly, capitalism is not a perfect economic system. However, even with all of its flaws, this competitive market system delivers a lot of benefits to individuals in our society. It creates an environment for innovation, productivity, creative expression, price/cost competition, collaborative solutions, in addition to resource multiplication in addition to distribution.
Unfortunately, like with most things in our society, people have taken something that could be put to use for good in addition to instead used it for their own selfish vices. Misuse and abuse driven by greed has turned precisely what need to be useful for constructive purposes into something destructive.
Moderation is something humans don’t do well with no divine intervention. Over-indulgence is something we a great deal more easily gravitate towards. Fortunately there is hope for us. I believe capitalism can be redeemed by people with a Biblical worldview and a willingness to do business God’s way.
God’s plan for capitalism
The revelations over the past decade roughly corporate America’s business practices – which unarguably played a decisive role in our current economic recession – have delivered to light the need for a new way to do business. Not simply is our economy experiencing an economic recession, we are additionally experiencing an ethical in addition to moral recession with regards to how businesspeople operate. If our country is to create a sustainable future, we will need to change our approach to business and business management by restoring a moral in addition to ethical foundation through the adoption of Biblical principles.
In accordance to Patrice Tsague, founder of Nehemiah Project International Ministries and author in the transformational Biblical Entrepreneurship curriculum, God’s plan for business encompasses five key principles:
1) To exercise dominion over the earth’s resources (Genesis 1:28).
2) To take care of the earth (Genesis 2:15).
3) To meet the natural needs of His children and of the world (Genesis 41:57, Acts 6:1).
4) To ensure that none of His children suffer lack (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12).
5) To seek and save the lost (Mark 16:15).
Compassionate capitalism
Capitalism may be redeemed to do a great deal good in the world. One critical way is for Christian entrepreneurs to execute business strategies which effectively utilize Biblical principles to advance sustainable and profitable businesses. The result will likely be a significant impact – naturally in addition to spiritually – for every person connected to the business.
The five Biblical Entrepreneurship principles mentioned over is often utilized to develop a holistic approach to business that demonstrates the Great Commandment that Jesus talked roughly in Mark 12:29-30, i.e. love God in addition to love people. This holistic business approach has the potential to impact people spiritually, socially, relationally, mentally, emotionally, in addition to financially. Found on a practical level, here’s precisely what a Biblical holistic business perspective looks like:
* Genuine, passionate, engaged, and thoughtful consideration for the requirements of employees, customers, suppliers, partners, shareholders, communities, in addition to other stakeholders.
* Operating the business with the highest levels of moral in addition to ethical behavior, even at the risk of profits.
Focus found on long-term sustainability versus short-term, knee-jerk decisions.
* Strategic in addition to maximum utilization of God-given talents, abilities, gifts, skills, resources, in addition to opportunities.
* Effective stewardship of finances – profits are a means in an end not the end itself.
* Intentionally positioning the business as a transformation catalyst for individuals, communities, in addition to organizations.
I remember a quote by way of a somebody a few years ago who said, “Let’s not just transform people in need, we can additionally find ways that will transform individuals in power.” I couldn’t agree more. I believe Christian entrepreneurs can play a strategic role in redeeming free enterprise by setting a godly leadership example to influence in addition to redirect those that have been overzealous manipulators of this current brand of capitalism.
Quite a few experts believe which entrepreneurs in addition to small businesses will play a key role in stimulating our economy back to health. If that’s the case, Christian entrepreneurs have a critical role to play in helping to redeem the good in capitalism, that could also serve to bring transformational and practical life solutions on the people that need them essentially the most.
Paul Wilson, Jr. is a “Dream Catalyst” for leaders in addition to entrepreneurs. He is really an inspirational author, dynamic speaker, in addition to business pastor driven to lead people to unleash God’s potential with their lives through their purpose, passions, in addition to profession. His vision is to utilize faith-based, purpose-centered entrepreneurship training to equip 1 million unemployed, underemployed, and misemployed workers for a successful career transition. Paul is the author from the purpose igniter “Dream B.I.G. in 3D: How to Pursue a Bold, Innovative God-Inspired Life!“. He is also the visioneer leading Kingdom Business University, that equips Christians to thrive in the marketplace. Learn more at http://www.paulwilsonjr.com.
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