Christianity and Capitalism

With all the talk about Paul Ryan's inspiration for politics and his comments about Ayn Rand, writing a blog about Christianity and capitalism seemed natural.  I've read the four gospels of our Lord Jesus and I have not found any parable wherein Jesus speaks out against capitalism.  Our Lord Jesus spoke against greed. But there is a difference between greed and capitalism. They are not one and the same as some would have us believe. Here are some references, parables and quotes from the NIV Study Bible that directly or indirectly relate to capitalism.
 
The Parable of the Shrewd Manager

In Luke 16:1-14, Jesus tells a parable about a manager accused of wasting his master's possessions. The manager loses his job. Then the manager lowered the debts of three people who owed the master so that they would be indebted to the manager. In other words, the manager 'cooked the books.' Hence, the manager had someone to take him in. The master commended the manager's shrewd dishonest actions.
In the NIV Study Bible, Jesus explained the meaning of the parable as follows: Luke 16:9 "I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourself, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings."

In the notes for Luke 16:9  in the NIV Study Bible, it states: "God's people should be alert to make use of what God has given them to gain friends by helping those in need, who will in the future show their gratitude by welcoming their benefactors into Heaven."

In the NIV Study Bible Luke 16:17 Jesus says, "You cannot serve both God and money."

The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard.

In the NIV Study Bible Mathew 20:1-16 Jesus explains what the kingdom of Heaven is like by telling a story of laborers in a vineyard and their dispute over wages paid to them. The laborers, who had worked a whole day were paid the wages they had agreed to, complained about workers who were hired for only the latter part of the day and paid the same wages. Those who only worked the latter part on the day were paid first. The master explained that he had the right to do what he wanted with his money.  Jesus explains this parable in the NIV Study Bible by saying "So the last will be first and the first will be last."

Jesus at the Temple

In Mathew 21:12, Jesus reprimands the money exchangers in the Temple yard. In the NIV Study Bible it states: "He (Jesus) drove out all who were buying and selling there. Jesus said, 'It is written My house will be called a House of Prayer. But you are making it a den of robbers.' "

The Parable of the Rich Fool

This parable is about a rich man who produced a good crop and decided to save it for himself.  In the NIV Study Bible Luke 16:20, God speaks to him, "You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you."  In 16:21 Jesus said, "This is how it will be for he who stores things up for himself but is not rich toward God."
In the NIV Study Bible, Luke 12:15 Jesus talked about those who grow rich for themselves instead of growing rich in the sight of God.  He warns us to avoid greed in all it's forms.

In the NIV Study Bible; Mathew 19:23 Jesus said, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of the needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God." When the apostles asked, "The who could be saved?" Jesus answered, "With man, this is impossible. But with God all things are possible."

Note that Jesus didn't say "But with God this is possible." He stated, "But with God all things are possible."  Not just a rich man entering the Kingdom of Heaven, but all things.

Conclusion

The above sections of the New Testament clearly indicated that Christianity and honest uncorrupted capitalism can exist in harmony as long as that capitalism is not based on greed and selfishness. Our Lord Jesus encouraged honesty in our business dealings as well as our personal dealings with others.