* God did not create a socialistic system of economics. 

  * He created a capitalistic system.  

  * Sin messed up the product of the system, but the system of capitalism is still good. 

* Understand the difference between the two: 

  * A socialist wants equal outcome for everyone. 

  * A capitalist wants equal opportunity for everyone. 

  * A socialist wants limited freedom with maximum oversight (Government).  

  * A capitalist wants maximum freedom with minimum oversight (Garden). 

  * A socialist relies on government, while a capitalist is supposed to rely on God. 

* Problem - when God gives freedom, we can easily abuse it. 

  * We’ve seen this happen in America, and it’s why many don’t like capitalism. 

  * If we bring God back into the mix, it will fix the problem. 

  * Capitalism that is accountable to God is good economics. 

* Jesus shows us this in the parable of the talents. 

* Luke 19 - the master gives ten of his slaves a sum of money each. 

  * The first guy 10x’s and the second guy 5x’s. 

  * This is maximum freedom with minimum oversight. 

  * They knew they would one day give an account to the master. 

  * The master commended them for their faithfulness to multiply. 

* The third guy didn’t multiply, he maintained. 

  * His response reveals his socialistic mindset. 

* vs 20-21 - “…Master, here is your mina, which I kept and put away in a handkerchief; for I was afraid of you, because you are an exacting man; you take up what you did not lay down and reap what you did not sow..”

  * He refused to put his money to work because he saw the master as getting something for nothing.  

  * He pointed out that this wealthy master made money from things he didn't have to go out and do physically.  

  * I bet this servant thought about it a lot.  

  * He began thinking about how unfair it was that he would do all the work and that his master would be the one making the money.  

* So what did he do? He refused to work for his master.  

  * He saw him as a hard man when, in reality, the master was the kindest, most generous man around.  

  * This unfaithful servant didn’t realize the master had blessed each of these guys with an equal opportunity.  

  * Their job was to make the most of the opportunity, and then the master would reward them accordingly.  

  * But the unfaithful servant was too busy comparing what he had with what the master had, and he couldn't stop thinking about the unfairness of the whole situation. 

  * He became a socialist in his thinking. 

  * The result was punishment rather than profit.

* This man wanted equal OUTCOME, not equal OPPORTUNITY. 

  * So ask God for opportunities to maximize what He gives you. 

  * Refuse to compare with others. 

  * And watch what He does!