By Rev. Mark H. Creech
September 15, 2003

(AgapePress) - Unsound economic thinking can lead to disastrous results and suffering for the masses. Consider this simple and somewhat humorous approach explaining some of the best-known economic systems of all times.

FEUDALISM: You have two cows. Your lord takes some of the milk.

FACISM: You have two cows. The government takes both, hires you to take care of them, and sells you the milk.

TOTALITARIANISM: You have two cows. The government takes both and shoots you.

COMMUNISM: You have two cows. Your neighbors help you take care of them, and you all share the milk.

SOCIALISM: You have two cows. The government takes them and puts them in a barn with everyone else's cows. You have to take care of all the cows. The government gives you only as much milk as it says you need.

There seems to be another well-known system of economics that I'm forgetting, but I'll try to get back to that later.

Recently Alabama voters rejected a controversial referendum pushed by Governor Bob Riley, which if passed, would have been the largest tax increase in Alabama history. Riley's justification for the tax hike was that it would give relief to the poor by raising taxes on the rich and the state's major corporations. "According to our Christian ethics, we're supposed to love God, love each other and help take care of the poor .... We've got to take care of the poor," Riley said.

Riley's tax proposal received the unqualified endorsement of some Christian heavyweights. Roberta Combs, president of Christian Coalition of America, referred to the measure as "bold and courageous." Susan Pace Hamill, a University of Alabama law professor and Masters in Theology graduate from Beeson School of Divinity, penned a 112-page law review article, contending it was a Christian's duty to support the tax increase. Moreover, six former Alabama Baptist State Convention presidents declared in a statement, "It is our concerted opinion, even in light of its imperfections, the proposal on the ballot ... should be supported to move Alabama forward and to make necessary changes to not only increase much needed revenue but to improve and enhance needed public services to all our citizens, especially ... the less fortunate."

Many people don't know it, but the legend of Robin Hood, the story of a champion who stole from the rich to give to the poor, arose within Christendom. Today we've seen much of the same in the supposed Christian support for Governor Bob Riley's "Robin Hood" approach to tax reform. Nevertheless, stealing from the rich to give to the needy can never be justified biblically -- not even in the form of taxation. And the idea that "coerced contributions" from the wealthy will actually help the poor is as much a myth as Robin Hood.

In the Eighth Commandment, we are given the moral premise for the right to private property, "Thou shalt not steal." In 2 Corinthians 9:7, we are given the moral premise for charity, "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver." Coercive redistribution of wealth for the sake of the poor violates both of these primary Christian principles because it transgresses the right to private property and attempts to force what is supposed to be free. It is essentially a form of socialism.

Whenever any system of thought violates the tenets of God's Word, whether religious, political, or economic, it is destined to cause much harm. Sure, helping the needy is a noble thing, but government has already invaded what ought to be the realm of the Church and private charities far too much. It is demanding money by force for the impoverished, thus squelching the institutions of private enterprise, preempting the work of charity, and creating a bloated bureaucratic Robin Hood state.

Oh yeah, now I remember what other well-known economic system I was forgetting at the start of this editorial. It's based squarely on Christian principles, has brought tremendous prosperity to our nation, and has helped the poor more than any other in human history. It's called:

CAPITALISM: You have two cows. Both are your cows. You sell one and buy a bull. You work hard so you can freely provide two cows for a person less fortunate to employ himself.

Sorry for the momentary lapse in memory. I just hope church and state don't forget capitalism altogether.