What kind of capitalist would Jesus be?

It seems almost mandatory for political candidates running for a national office here in the US to declare their identity as Christians, of one sort or another.  It was scandalous for some to suggest President Obama might actually be a Muslim. 

All of this Bible banging by politicians has caused me to wonder about how Jesus became associated with capitalism.  Consider some Biblical teachings…

·      If you have a spare coat, give it away! (Luke 3:11)

·      Don’t store up treasures on earth (Matthew 6:19)

·      Give unto Caesar what is Caesar’s (Mark 12:17)

·      Don’ t charge interest (Deuteronomy 23::19-20)

·      Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5)

·      Whatever to do to the least of these, you do unto me (Matthew 25:40)

As the “great healer”, (Matthew 9: 12–13) I also wonder what Jesus would think of the world’s wealthiest nation that doesn’t provide universal health care?

What kind of capitalist would Jesus be?  Not a very good one it seems...

Reflections on lifestyle by the Dalai Lama and Jesus

     The Dalai Lama, when asked what surprised him most about humanity, answered “Man. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.”


     Words from Jesus in the book of Matthew,“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

Seven deadly sins and financial investments

Mahatma Gandhi believed there were seven deadly spiritual sins, which included the following:

• Wealth without Work
• Pleasure without Conscience
• Science without Humanity
• Knowledge without Character
• Politics without Principle
• Commerce without Morality
• Worship without Sacrifice

With the current plunge in the stock market it seems there are going to be far fewer of us guilty of the crime of wealth without work.  The S&P 500 is down 18 percent since 4/29/2011. Even investments in "Real" Estate have turned sour for many.

As the "sound investments" many of us have made take a pounding one has to wonder about where are the quality and secure investments.  In my work to support children of disadvantaged circumstances I don't recall anyone feeling like they made a poor investment when they gave of their time or money to help a child.  I'm sure the same might be true of feeding the hungry, or investing in clean water for those without.  

When it comes to investing Jesus Christ urged "Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and thieves break in and steal."  (Matthew 6:19)  

Looking for a sound investment?  It might just be wisest to invest in the lives of others. As so often is the case, through such giving we receive far more than we give.