The Choice is Yours…
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)
We had just finished one of those Mercer Mall shopping trips I mentioned in yesterday’s devotional entry. My sister and I were ready to head out and load up the car with our new Trapper Keepers and Reebok pump shoes. But before leaving, my dad suggested we stop at the drugstore, and he generously purchased a few lottery scratchers for us. We were excited because this time he was offering to buy us a couple more to add to the ones we purchased ourselves. As we readied our pennies to scratch, he posed an unexpected question that stopped us in our tracks:
“So what’s it gonna be, Commie or Cappy?”
We were confused.
The idea is really quite simple, he explained. Before scratching the tickets, we had to decide if we wanted to choose Communism or Capitalism as a way to divide the winnings from ALL of the tickets. We would then each scratch our tickets and live with the consequences.
If we chose Cappy, then I would get to keep any winnings for my tickets and my sister could keep any winnings from her tickets.
If we chose Commie, then we would divide the winnings equally between us, regardless of who had the winning scratcher.
He explained the core difference between Communism and Capitalism in a way that an eight-year-old could understand. With Capitalism, I am able to benefit from my “effort” and decide what to do with my money. With Communism, someone else chooses who benefits by my efforts, and I have less control. I have less freedom and less choice. I will not be as motivated to do a good job.
The more freedom we have, the more we are able to live out the life God calls us to do. Capitalism is not perfect, but it is the best economic system available to a fallen world. It generates wealth, and we are called to give away that wealth. We are called to further the kingdom to benefit people who are not able to care for themselves.
Everything belongs to Jesus. He commands us to “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” Capitalism allows us to keep more of the resources in the hands of those who will steward them wisely. You are free. You have more at your disposal than anyone else on the planet. How will you deploy these funds He has entrusted you to manage?
Jesus, thank You for the ability to earn money and to generate financial wealth. You have allowed it, and it is good. Protect my ability to earn wealth, and help me to use this wealth for Your glory, not for my comfort or for anything of this world.
