Nostr Web Client

Bitcoin is opposed to capitalism. The teachings of Jesus go against capitalism. Simple.

I started writing this then used #Grok to finish it for more comprehensive verse references:

Jesus wasn't advocating for centralized economic control; he emphasized personal agency, diligence, and stewardship. Biblical evidence aligns him with authentic capitalism:

- He affirmed private property through the Decalogue's prohibitions against theft and covetousness, forming the bedrock of ownership and voluntary exchange (Exodus 20:15,17; Matthew 19:18-19).

- The Parable of the Talents commends entrepreneurial investment and risk-taking for profit, while condemning indolence—epitomizing market-driven innovation (Matthew 25:14-30).

- He asserted that laborers merit their wages, underscoring merit-based compensation over entitlements (Luke 10:7).

- In the Vineyard Parable, he defended employers' autonomy in wage agreements, highlighting contractual freedom and private enterprise (Matthew 20:1-16).

- By linking self-love to neighborly love, he implied that rational self-interest, via mutual trades, fosters communal good—not avarice, but enlightened reciprocity (Matthew 22:39).

- Echoing Pauline doctrine, he endorsed the principle that idleness forfeits sustenance, fueling capitalism's ethos of productivity and meritocracy (2 Thessalonians 3:10).

- The Talents narrative tacitly approves interest accrual, portraying capital growth as expected and virtuous (Matthew 25:27).

- Granting humanity dominion over creation encourages resourceful utilization, better realized in free markets than coercive redistribution (Genesis 1:28).

Reply to this note

Please Login to reply.

Discussion

Ragamuffin 5mo ago

Well done. “The truth will set you free”

BlueDuckBTC 5mo ago

Why did Jesus flip tables?

Séimí Mac Síomón 5mo ago 💬 1

He was against usury

BlueDuckBTC 5mo ago 💬 1

The was not the reason, but I’m sure you can use the internet to find a copy of the Bible.

ryanjordan 5mo ago 💬 1

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

BlueDuckBTC 5mo ago 💬 1

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.

ryanjordan 5mo ago 💬 3

“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?

BlueDuckBTC 5mo ago 💬 1

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.

ryanjordan 5mo ago

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

BlueDuckBTC 5mo ago

People used those some of those same quotes to justify slavery. Different era, same shit.

ryanjordan 5mo ago

“The humble He guides in justice, And the humble He teaches His way.” Psalm 25:9

Cykros 5mo ago

Very interesting given that even Jewish law prohibited usury, though, admittedly, does allow it when dealing with non-Jews.

Though, there are equity based banking models as well. Yield isn't synonymous with usurious interest based lending.