Social Justice
An alternate title for this article is “The Article You Won’t Read.”
This is because …
- it is long (and most of us have ever diminishing attention spans).
- it has an embedded 8 minute clip.
- it will run contrary to your preconceived notions.
We just lost a bunch of you!
But, for the sake of the few (and save for the fact that this article will help my brilliant copy editor earn a bunch of money), let’s read on.
Read On?
For the few that remain, put on your seat belts – and let’s dig in.
In recent years, the concept of social justice has been gaining momentum in the Christian community. It is not a new concept, obviously. It has existed for millennia.
But, social justice has enjoyed somewhat of a resurgence. And, rightfully so. If you claim to be a Christ-follower, you should be all about social justice.
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. -James 1:27
As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. -James 2:26
These Scripture references support our charge to love and serve others.
Social Justice – A Catalyst or Fly in the Ointment?
But, I have sensed a concomitant dynamic. Whether by default or design, there is a tendency of Christian Millennials to somehow synthesize the concept of Christian social justice with political and economic systems.
If you are a Christian Millennial, do certain political personalities or political parties strike a chord with you because of their penchant for the down-trodden?
The Appeal and The Promise
At the same time that this article is being written, it is literally election season. It is the spring of 2016 and there is much to do about Democrats and Republicans making their way through their respective primaries and caucuses.
And, for the record, I am not going to tell you who or what party to vote for. I just want to give you something to think about.
To get to the point, here it is. Here is the general pitch. You can fill in the blanks. It goes something like this:
- A vote for Party X (and its underlying political and economic systems) means you have a heart. It means you are for the poor and the down-trodden. A vote for us means that you have a heart for the little guy. You love people and you want to see everyone treated with love and decency. Everyone should both give and receive their fair share.
- A vote for Party Y (and its underlying political and economic systems) means you are for the wealthy. You love seeing the select few get rich off the backs of the poor masses. You care about yourself and no one else.
Honestly, if you are a Christian, which of these better aligns with the heart of the gospel? But, before you answer that, let’s explore a concept.
Economic Systems
And it is here where I will take a slight turn to dodge the bullets. I am not going to talk with you in terms of political personalities or in terms of Democrat or Republican.
I want to talk with you about economic systems. And, I will draw things into two camps: capitalism and collectivism. Collectivism would cover everything that is not capitalism (e.g., democratic socialism, socialism, governmental control, central production, central planning, etc.).
The Crux of the Matter
I have noted that society or culture has begun to discount capitalism … maybe even malign it. And, I would say that most of this disdain has grown out of how capitalism has been painted by its opponents.
In other words, various talking heads have begun to label it and color it in a disparaging way. And, their modus operandi tends to impart upon it a certain morality – or lack thereof. And, for a variety of reasons, I believe this has an appeal to well-meaning Christian Millennials – well-meaning people who have a heart for the down-trodden (as we all should).
The Heart of an Economic System
I would humbly ask you to listen to a clip from noted economist Milton Friedman. He passed away in 2006. Although this clip was for a different day and time, I believe the parallel is still relevant. And, this clip highlights Friedman’s theory on the appeal of what he describes as “collectivism.”
Here is the clip by Milton Friedman. It is 8 minutes long (if you want to cheat, you can go to the 2 minute mark and roll from there – and enjoy a quick 6-minute lesson on sociopolitical economics).
Social Justice – The Appeal of Collectivism
In today’s societal terms, at face value, I believe there is a resurgent appeal of “collectivism” to Christian Millennials. I believe that this appeal is for them to effect social justice in a manner in keeping with their Christian faith.
All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. -Acts 2:44-45
So, am I right? Does this resonate with you?
Isn’t Collectivism the Better Economic System?
So, isn’t collectivism a more humane economic system?
Friedman theorizes on the appeal of collectivism:
It is … “a combination of a supposed interest in moral values and ignorance and misunderstanding about the relationship between moral values and economic systems.”
Friedman goes on to say this (and this is the main point):
“The problem of trying to interpret and analyze a system – either pro or con – in terms of such concepts as the morality of a system or the humanity of a system – whether capitalism is humane or socialism is humane – or moral or immoral … the problem with that is that moral values are individual – they are not collective.”
He goes on to say, “Moral values have to do with what each of us holds separately and believe to be true – what our own individual values are. Capitalism, socialism, and central planning are means – not ends. They in-and-of themselves are neither moral nor immoral, humane or inhumane.”
In layman’s terms, what he is saying is that the various economic systems are devoid of morality. They are just that: economic systems.
Which means, collectivism does not have a heart – despite whatever its proponents suggest; however, politicians will try to impart upon collectivism a direct appeal to your heart.
What is The Right Answer?
Friedman goes on to say…
“Don’t look at what the proponents of one system or another say are their intentions – but look at what the results are.”
Here is a quick quip on the two economic systems:
Capitalism: Resources and production are held by the people. The people (via operation of the market) reward or discourage certain behaviors. It has its good and bad attributes. Good and bad people exist. Good and bad things do happen. You are free: free to do good and free to do bad – whether good or evil.
Collectivism: (e.g., democratic socialism, socialism, communism, etc.). Resources and production are held and/or controlled by the government. The government rewards or discourages certain behaviors. It has its good and bad attributes. Good and bad people exist. Good and bad things do happen. You are free: free to do what the government says you can do – whether good or evil.
As Friedman suggests, go back in history and look at the by-products created by various sociopolitical economic systems.
Here in the USA, we are about 250 years into our experiment with capitalism. And, you can decide for yourself what its by-products are.
Elsewhere in the world, some of the collectivist nations have as their spokespersons the likes of Hitler, Stalin, Pol Pot, Mao, and the like.
Stay with me!
The Main Point
Friedman’s point is worth repeating:
“Don’t look at what the proponents of one system or another say are their intentions – but look at what the results are.”
Jesus said something similar:
But wisdom is proved right by all her children.” -Luke 7:35
To me, this passage suggests that the by-products of a decision are more telling than the idea promulgated or the person that sold it.
Honestly, if capitalism is so bad, why are people so drawn to defect, to immigrate, or to cross into the USA? If what these other collectivist nations have is so great, why do its constituents want to leave it?
Things to Consider
I am a firm believer in social justice. It is my Christian duty. It is your Christian duty. It is our Christian duty.
But, don’t throw the baby out with the bath water. Don’t be so quick to throw the economic system of capitalism under the bus. It is not inherently good or evil. Don’t let any political talking head disparage it with negative moral attributes.
Didn’t, in essence, our Heavenly Father impart upon us the freedom to choose?
- Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. -2 Corinthians 9:7
We are called to help the down-trodden. We are called to give of our possessions. This passage suggests that EACH PERSON – not every respective form of government – should give. Does increasing your taxes – under the guise of helping others – feel like compulsion to you?
- If you see the poor oppressed in a district, and justice and rights denied, do not be surprised at such things; for one official is eyed by a higher one, and over them both are others higher still. -Ecclesiastes 5:8
To me, this passage suggests that you will find “injustice” under any form of government. It doesn’t say “If you see the poor oppressed in a capitalistic society …” In my opinion, and as well with Friedman, we have observed more injustice as a by-product of collectivist societies. Under capitalism, the market is a blend of millions of good and bad forces. It is hard for one bad apple to destroy the whole bunch. However, in a centrally-controlled collectivist society, one bad apple easily destroys the whole bunch.
- 10 Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking him for a king. 11 He said, “This is what the king who will reign over you will claim as his rights: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots and horses, and they will run in front of his chariots. 12 Some he will assign to be commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and others to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and still others to make weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. 13 He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. 14 He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. 15 He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants. 16 Your male and female servants and the best of your cattle[c] and donkeys he will take for his own use. 17 He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves. 18 When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, but the Lord will not answer you in that day.” -1 Samuel 8:10-18
This suggests to me that trusting in man (or government or an elected personality) can be a downfall – versus trusting in The Lord.
- Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” -John 18:36
- And how about this passage? Then Jesus said to them, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” And they were amazed at him. -Mark 12:17
To me, these passages suggest that affecting social justice is something we do directly as individual Christians – not indirectly by means of the government.
Christian Servitude vs. Central Control
What would happen if millions of Christ-followers took seriously the charge of social justice?
What if millions of Christ followers (voluntarily) gave a certain percentage of their money to effect a certain down-trodden people group? And what if they gave this money to organizations where the majority of the donations go directly to the people who need it? Organizations who support causes connected to their heart?
Remember this charge: Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. -2 Corinthians 9:7
Contrast this with …
What would happen if millions of Christ-followers (through increased Federal Tax Withholding) had a certain percentage of their money deducted from their paychecks? Money that, during the campaign, was promised to effect some form of social justice? Money that, after the election, mostly went to the prevailing party’s bureaucrats – and very little to the people who need it?
Whatever the party and the percentages, our representative government (in whatever form) is not very good about administering social programs.
Social Justice
My humble request is that you take seriously the cause of social justice. We are all called to help the down-trodden.
My personal belief is that we should have everything to do with that – and our government should have very little to do with it.
The Giving Pledge
Please humor me just a little more. We’re almost done!
It is true that capitalism allows for the growth of great wealth.
But, have you heard of The Giving Pledge?
As of recent, some 137 billionaires have taken The Giving Pledge. This group is largely a bunch of billionaires. To get in the group, the individual must take a pledge to give away at least 50% of his or her amassed fortunes – and that’s at least 50%. One person in the group has pledged to give away 99%.
As in the case of Warren Buffet, of recent count, he has an estimated net-worth of $66.7 billion. Mr. Buffet has taken The Giving Pledge, which means he has committed to give away at least $33.35 billion.
A recent Google search revealed that there are about 536 billionaires in the USA. This means that over 25% of these “evil” capitalists have committed to give away a huge portion of their wealth … freely – not reluctantly or under compulsion.
Conclusion
MAR
About the Author:
Ken Moll is the Principal and Founder of Blue Elevator®. With professional experience spanning four decades, Ken has a breadth of foundational business knowledge rarely found – making him part of an elite class of professionals. Ken's passion is helping clients of Blue Elevator® get their “business to the next level™.”