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NB: So is socialism.
There is no justification for an economic system that allows for unbridled avarice. We rightfully prosecute other sins, such as theft, murder, libel, and many others. Why would extreme avarice be any different? It's not good for the greedy man, nor is it good for society. There is no justification for it from Christ, the apostles, or anywhere. In fact, we see quite the opposite.
Given these moral precepts, why do we allow billionaires to have billions in dollars while the poor go without food and shelter? Why do we allow usury, when that is condemned repeatedly and aggressively throughout the Bible?
We do have a right to property, and we certainly have a right to invest as we see fit. That said, we do not have a right to hoard as much property as we like and neglect the needs of the poor. Such an idea is a corruption of Christianity and has no basis in good theology.
There is no justification for an economic system that allows for unbridled avarice. We rightfully prosecute other sins, such as theft, murder, libel, and many others. Why would extreme avarice be any different? It's not good for the greedy man, nor is it good for society. There is no justification for it from Christ, the apostles, or anywhere. In fact, we see quite the opposite.
St. James said:Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have rusted, and their rust will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure for the last days. Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. You have lived on the earth in luxury and in pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. You have condemned, you have killed the righteous man; he does not resist you.
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He who has two coats, let him share with him who has none and he who has food must do likewise. But give for alms those things which are within; and behold, everything is clean for you. If a brother or sister is ill-clad and in lack of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what does it profit?
Given these moral precepts, why do we allow billionaires to have billions in dollars while the poor go without food and shelter? Why do we allow usury, when that is condemned repeatedly and aggressively throughout the Bible?
We do have a right to property, and we certainly have a right to invest as we see fit. That said, we do not have a right to hoard as much property as we like and neglect the needs of the poor. Such an idea is a corruption of Christianity and has no basis in good theology.