Torch, Spring 1986

ultimately all material and propertied wealth are owned by a sovereign God Who places us as stewards or caretak– ers over what is His. The psalmist simply states, "The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof: the world, and they that dwell therein" (Psalm 24: 1). Or, according to the prophet, "The silver is mine, and gold is mine, saith the Lord of hosts" (Haggai 2:8) . Again the psalmist de– clares, "For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills" (Psalm 50: 10). Therefore, we find no scriptural basis for the proposition that the state is the owner of all property. Only a free enterprise system permits individuals to own (steward) God's property. Private ownership is the cor– nerstone of free enterprise. Economic systems that stress mutual or government ownership histori– cally are not as successful. Quite simply, people are less likely to ne– glect or misuse what they personally own. Rather, they tend to improve their property with aspirations of profit and future ownership of better property. The plight of the bison or Ameri– can buffalo illustrates the disadvan– tage of mutual ownership. Because everyone once claimed the bison as common property, no one individual or group was responsible and accountable for the maintenance, preservation, and propagation of the herds. When the white settlers ar– rived the bison population was 30 million; these animals were slaughtered until fewer than 500 sur– vived in 1900. FREEDOM TO MAKE PROFIT Far from being something dirty or evil, profit is the basis of further growth. Only as growth takes place can there be better wages and the op– portunity for more jobs for people. Does God condone profit? Of course, but He also wants us to re– member its true source. "And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth .. ." (Deuteronomy 8:18). He also gives the ability to enjoy wealth. "Furthermore to every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, He has also empowered him to eat from them and to receive his reward and rejoice in his labor; this is the gift of God" (Ecclesiastes 5: 19). Some of God's greatest saints were wealthy profit makers: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Job, David, and Solomon . The accumulation of riches is not ungodly; it is a precious freedom for people to use wisely and to enjoy . FREEDOM TO GIVE AWAY WEALTH Since God has entrusted individu– als with property and the ability to get wealth, He expects people to use these advantages to meet the material needs of others. Only when one pos– sesses property and wealth can he exercise this dispensing function. To quote the apostle Paul, " ... let him labor, performing with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give [share] to him that needeth" (Ephesians 4:28). But Paul is quick to make it clear that this giving must be on a voluntary basis: "I am not speak– ing this as a command, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity of your love also" (II Corin– thians 8:8 NAS). In Old Testament times, God established methods of giving which ensured that needy people in that society could survive. Gifts to the poor were voluntary, direct (two party), required labor from the reci– pient, and met a specific need. Today we have social security which is in– voluntary, indirect (three party), often not requiring labor, and very general in application . However, philanthropy in this country is growing. Individuals are giving $61 billion per year to U.S. charities. This would not be possible in any other economic system. FREEDOM TO FAIL To be successful in a free enter– prise economic system one must develop a product or skill which will adequately meet the needs or wants of the population. But often a product will fail to generate a profit and a loss will result. However, business fail – ures can be stepping stones to more research, better methods of produc– tion, and innovative marketing. The Bible is full of individuals who failed. The prodigal son was given the freedom to succeed in life on his own, but he squandered his resources. In the parable of the tal– ents an individual did not invest and failed to make a profit. Most of the great biblical charac– ters failed. Adam and Eve disobeyed God by eating the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3). Moses murdered an Egyptian (Exodus 2). David commit– ted adultery with Bathsheba (II Samuel 11, 12) . And Solomon's polygamy turned his heart away from God (I Kings 11). Certainly the freedom to fail is part of God's overall plan for man. The presence of failure causes us to see our need of God. This leads to repen– tance of sin and acceptance of God's Son Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord. No other decision is more im– portant than this and it is born out of the freedom to fail. Free enterprise. No other system gives greater opportunity for the expression of creativity, initiative, and hard work. And no other system today so closely parallels teachings of Scripture. Free enterprise - the best and God"blessed. a Galen Smith is Assistant Professor of Economics at Cedarville College. He holds graduate degrees from Kansas State Univer– sity and Grace Theological Seminary. .................................................................................................................. 13