And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.
Matthew 25:15
As I was growing up, in the days of the Cold War, we all seemed to know that Capitalism was good and Communism (socialism or collectivism) was bad. But why did we know that? Was it because Capitalism is what we are (and we’re good)? Was it because Communism was what they are (and they are bad)?
Those are never the right reasons to determine what is right or wrong. Our standard must be higher. It must be transcendent. Like, say, the Bible! What does the Bible say about this socio-political question?
The Proverbs are filled with lessons about the diligent being blessed and the lazy doing without. The diligent are those who work hard and are rewarded for their labor. Those who feel they deserve a guaranteed income, regardless of whether they work are not, are the lazy and slothful who will do without! Paul summed it up beautifully in 2 Thessalonians 3: 8 & 10: “we [do not] eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you… If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.”
And then there is Jesus’ parable of the talents that begins by teaching us that we are not all guaranteed equal wealth with these words (Matthew 25:14-15) "For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability.” The master who distributed the wealth in the story represents God, who does not owe His servants (us) anything, and who does not give everyone the same amount.
As the story unfolds (read it in Matthew 25), those who were diligent were rewarded. Those who were not diligent were not rewarded. What does that sound more like? Capitalism or Socialism?
Granted, without the knowledge that (a) everything we have (including the disposition to be diligent) comes from God; and (b) if we are not guided by our Master’s worldview, godless Capitalism rapidly devolves into a crass “survival of the fittest.” Capitalism without God, or at least a conscience, is easily corrupted.
In summary, today is Labor Day. It is not a patriotic holiday. It was promoted by labor unions that are basically socialistic in ideology. As Christians, let us enjoy a day off from our labors, reminding ourselves that all that we are and have comes from God, and it is to Him that we will answer for how we managed what He entrusted to us.