What about “obscene” profits? In a free market system, there are two factors that determine a purchase– Price and Quality. If you like a product’s quality and feel the price is something you’d be willing to buy, you engage. This is why the business woman in Proverbs 31, buys her vineyard and “perceives that her merchandise is good.” She knows that to make a profit, she must put the needs of her customer ahead of her own. If the quality and price is not serving her customer, she goes out of business or reduces her price. The only way a profit can be obscene is if the buyer doesn’t have the freedom to walk away, or is “forced to buy.” That is why the Bible is about liberty, as is inscribed on the liberty bell, a verse from Leviticus that reads, “Proclaim freedom to all the inhabitants of the land.” Capitalism works when liberty, incentive, and property rights are all upheld.

Today in America we have a MacGyver economy, duct taped together with chewing gum and spitballs. The role of government is no longer limited to the words of the Declaration of Independence, which clearly laid out the function of governments: to secure life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Instead, the government can now be lobbied to force people to buy things (health care) and steal from one group to give to another. Stealing violates both property rights (outlines in the ten commandments) as well as liberty. The King used to lobby the military to steal the profits of the farmer, because he was “in need.” Obscene profits occur when one group steals from another. When a corporation lobbies the government to bail them out by taking taxes from a taxpayer, it is immoral. When unions lobby the government to force companies to pay them a certain wage, it too is immoral. Why? Both groups are asking the “king” to violate the liberty, property rights, and incentive of the individual.

For more information, check out www.godonomics.com Session 1 “What Would God Say to Adam Smith?”

This Christmas we need more profits, not less. It’s hard to give away money if you’re broke. It’s hard to be generous to others if you can’t pay your own bills. This is why God wants his people to experience liberty, prosperity, and generosity. I don’t mean some “prosperity Gospel” put-your-hand-on-the-screen and send me a vow of faith nonsense. I mean working hard, making a profit, having savings, and using it to meet your own needs and help others as well.
The Bible does NOT teach that profits are bad. It is actually, quite the opposite. When we work, we should get the “fruit of our hands” (Proverbs 31:16). In fact, the business woman in Proverbs 31, buys, sells, and from her profits, she is able to invest in another vineyard. This provides jobs for others and a reservoir of savings that allows her to help the needy. Profit (making more than it cost your to produce) is not only a good thing, it is a great thing. It is the incentive of hard work. Paul says it should not only be encouraged, but commands that we pay people their profit in 1 Corinthians 9. He relates it to a proverb of the ox. 4Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn. Deut. 25:4 Translation: If an Ox works, treads, and plows, he should not have his mouth muzzled (the ancient equivalent of duct tape), but should be allowed to “eat as he plows”. The ox can eat of the fruit of its labor.
What about “obscene” profits? In a free market system, there are two factors that determine a purchase– Price and Quality. If you like a product’s quality and feel the price is something you’d be willing to buy, you engage. This is why the business woman in Proverbs 31, buys her vineyard and “perceives that her merchandise is good.” She knows that to make a profit, she must put the needs of her customer ahead of her own. If the quality and price is not serving her customer, she goes out of business or reduces her price. The only way a profit can be obscene is if the buyer doesn’t have the freedom to walk away, or is “forced to buy.” That is why the Bible is about liberty, as is inscribed on the liberty bell, a verse from Leviticus that reads, “Proclaim freedom to all the inhabitants of the land.” Capitalism works when liberty, incentive, and property rights are all upheld.
Today in America we have a MacGyver economy, duct taped together with chewing gum and spitballs. The role of government is no longer limited to the words of the Declaration of Independence, which clearly laid out the function of governments: to secure life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Instead, the government can now be lobbied to force people to buy things (health care) and steal from one group to give to another. Stealing violates both property rights (outlines in the ten commandments) as well as liberty. The King used to lobby the military to steal the profits of the farmer, because he was “in need.” Obscene profits occur when one group steals from another. When a corporation lobbies the government to bail them out by taking taxes from a taxpayer, it is immoral. When unions lobby the government to force companies to pay them a certain wage, it too is immoral. Why? Both groups are asking the “king” to violate the
liberty, property rights, and incentive of the individual.
For more information, check out www.godonomics.com Session 1 “What Would God Say to Adam Smith?”