In the realm of Geo-politics, a decade is like a mere minute of time. So these two great boxers had been squaring off. Let's call them Harry Capitalist and Lenny the Soviet. They really hammered on each other for several minutes until suddenly Lenny lost his footing and fell over. Harry strutted around declaring himself the victor and proclaiming that no one would ever be able to challenge him again. Then a couple of minutes later (or 20 years in real time), the fatigue set in and Harry fell over too. By that time, Lenny was back on his feet. He'd changed outfits, and he was ready to go. Harry is still trying to get back up.
No, I'm not propounding communism (or Russian nationalism) as any kind of viable alternative to capitalism. What a joke! They are both the exact same thing: the rule of the greedy. In capitalism, those with the money get the power. In communism, those with the power get the money. It all ends the same way.
Is there a third option?
No, there really isn't. No outward system, planned or free, can reign in the greed (which is idolatry) that lurks in the hearts of mankind. The only alternative is not an economic system at all, but a spiritual rebirth. Sorry to all the guardians of Political Correctness out there, but only the reign of Christ can overcome our selfish and hurtful ways. This is true right now in the hearts of individual followers, and when He returns it will really kick in.
Am I proposing a Christian state or religious world order?
Of course not! Been there, done that. And we all know how well that worked. I guess no one expects the Spanish Inquisition.
That's the thing - it's not about an outward system, but rather a question of what's in the heart of each and every one of us. In the end, everyone is in one camp or the other. Either you follow the Lord and bend the knee to Him, or you seek to be an agent merely of your own individual interests...enter greed and selfishness.
So what is to be done? How do we fix the economy and get Harry Capitalist back on his feet? Wrong question!!! The question is for your heart. Is your life about loving and serving the Lord, and by extension loving and serving other people? Or is your life about serving yourself? If the answer is the latter, then it really doesn't matter what happens. You could be a capitalist or a communist - whatever works, right?
But if the answer is the former, then you already know what to do. And if I don't catch up with you in this life, I look forward to seeing you afterward. When the feast begins, let's be sure to get together for a toast or two or three. After all, we'll have all the time in the world.
