I want to encourage you to listen to last night’s class on socialism. The discussion was robust and helpful. We recognized that socialism is not a means of being kind, just the opposite. Examples of extraordinary generosity (kindness) are John D. Rockefeller, Warren Buffet and Bill Gates, and the local Levine family, to name a few.
We defined socialism as the concentration of power into the hands of government elites to provide:
1. Central planning of the economy
2. Radical redistribution of wealth
By way of review, we brought out several Biblical points in class.
- In Luke 12, Yeshua is asked to redistribute wealth by compelling a brother to share his inheritance. He does not do so.
- In the parable of the talents, those who practiced capitalism by investing their talents to gain a profit were praised.
- We see Yeshua chasing the money lenders out of the Temple, not because he opposed their capitalism, but because of where they practiced it. He did not chase money lenders from the market place or banks.
- The story of the Samaritan teaches us an important lesson on personal wealth and its use – helping others, voluntarily.
- The owner of the vineyard hires laborers as the day begins. This is classic capitalism supporting private property. As the day ends, the owner realizes he needs more laborers. He chooses to pay them a higher salary than the first workers. This demonstrates the principles of supply & demand and voluntary contracts expressed in free-market capitalism. The owner actually defends his personal right to use his money as he deems appropriate.
- The forced redistribution of wealth is rooted in envy, greed and covetousness.
- Prohibiting the ability for persons to generate wealth undermines the fact that it is G-d Who allows us to do so.
Much of the material I shared came from the excellent short video produced by Prager University titled, “Was Jesus a socialist?” I highly recommend it.
Next week’s class will be our last class before Rosh Hashanah, as the following week, September 24, is the 27th annual Banquet for Life at the HELP Pregnancy Center, which I would like you to consider attending.
HELP Pregnancy Center is a 501c3 non-profit agency providing free and confidential services for women and men who are experiencing an unplanned pregnancy. Their caring peer counselors and staff provide pregnancy, parenting, adoption and abortion education.
Read about the opportunity and register for the banquet at MonroeHELP.com. The keynote speaker this year is Henry Jernigan, dubbed as “one of the best speakers you’ve never heard of.” The story of his son’s birth is heart-warming and engaging.
If you cannot attend, please consider using your personal wealth to assist those who need help, following the example of our Master and a “good” Samaritan.
Next week we will discuss how to respond to the Pro-Death (pro-abortion) position, dealing with a woman’s right to privacy (the stated reason for the Roe v. Wade decision) and a woman’s right to choose. Please come prepared to defend the NON-biblical side of this argument.
The King is in the field! He is closer now than during any other time of the year, save when He dwells with His people.
Blow the shofar to waken the sleeper. Judgment is as close as the King!
Shalom,
Yosef ben Yosef
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