He was against usury
Discussion
The was not the reason, but I’m sure you can use the internet to find a copy of the Bible.
Jesus wasn’t focused on condemning interest (usury) per se in this moment. He was defending the sanctity of God’s house protesting how commerce and greed had polluted what was supposed to be a place of reverence and inclusion.
Jesus was a capitalist. “ But he answered one of them and said, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? 14 Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. 15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Mat. 20:13-15
That verse does not make Jesus a capitalist at all.
"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." -Matthew 6:24
Either you have to change the words of Jesus in the Bible, or change the tenets of capitalism. Can’t have both. This verse is not even up for interpretation…it says what it says. Case closed.
“Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things?”
This is a prime of example of how the owner asserts control over his property a key tenet of capitalism. Also, capitalism values individual ownership and the freedom to dispose of property and wealth as one sees fit.
How about “freedom of contract?”
“Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius?” The landowner and laborers entered a voluntary agreement, which is a core element of free-market economics.
No coercion occurred the contracts were honored. Free market capitalism 101.
Lastly, unequal outcomes, equal agreements though the outcomes (wages vs. hours worked) are unequal in effort, the terms were fair by agreement. This mirrors capitalism where equal opportunity does not mean equal outcomes.
Case closed? My friend, you just quoted Jesus warning against serving money, not using it. Capitalism isn’t about worshipping wealth it’s about freedom. And freedom, like grace, doesn’t cease to be good just because some people abuse it.
Jesus flipping tables wasn’t a protest of trade it was a protest of corruption. You want to put Mammon on trial? Fine. But don’t drag free enterprise into the defendant’s chair without understanding the difference.
Jesus didn’t preach capitalism but He also didn’t command central planning. The problem isn’t making money; it’s the LOVE of money.
If you’re a Christian you should
re-read Ecclesiastes and if you’re not maybe start with John?
You are so confused that you try to re interpret a quote that is very clear. Capitalism is clearly the pursuit of profit. Profit is typically measured in money.
You can twist, turn, and cherry pick quotes all you want, you cannot change that quote I shared and Jesus said love thy enemy.
Whatever mental gymnastics you like to do in order to sleep, do it, just don’t think you are always speaking to someone who doesn’t know more about the Bible than you.
You’re right I would never presume to know more about the Bible than you. It’s only by His grace I know any scripture at all. In fact, the more I learn the more I realize how little I actually know.
“The humble He guides in justice, And the humble He teaches His way.” Psalm 25:9
People used those some of those same quotes to justify slavery. Different era, same shit.
You’re right I would never presume to know more about the Bible than you. It’s only by His grace I know any scripture at all. In fact, the more I learn the more I realize how little I actually know.
“The humble He guides in justice, And the humble He teaches His way.” Psalm 25:9