The problem of Global Capitalism

In Fiery Speeches, Francis Excoriates Global Capitalism

I think Pope Francis has been, for the most part, like a breath of fresh air. But I think he missed the point on this one.

From an article in the New York Times (sorry, the article is no longer available), we read -

His speeches can blend biblical fury with apocalyptic doom. Pope Francis does not just criticize the excesses of global capitalism. He compares them to the “dung of the devil.” He does not simply argue that systemic “greed for money” is a bad thing. He calls it a “subtle dictatorship” that “condemns and enslaves men and women.”

Notice - in the picture above, it has emphasized both greed and capitalism.
Notice - in the Pope's statement, he also used both greed and capitalism.

But where's the real problem?
Is it capitalism?  Or is it greed?

Guess how many times capitalism shows up in the Bible.  Of course - the answer is zero.

Guess how many times greed shows up in the Bible.  In the NIV - it's twelve times.

• twice in the Old Testament -
  • Isaiah - 
    Isa 57:17 I was enraged by his sinful greed;
    I punished him, and hid my face in anger,
    yet he kept on in his willful ways.
    Isa 57:18 I have seen his ways, but I will heal him;
    I will guide him and restore comfort to him,
    Isa 57:19 creating praise on the lips of the mourners in Israel.
    Peace, peace, to those far and near,”
    says the LORD. “And I will heal them.”
    Isa 57:20 But the wicked are like the tossing sea,
    which cannot rest,
    whose waves cast up mire and mud.
    Isa 57:21 “There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”
  • Ezekiel - 
    Eze 16:23 “ ‘Woe! Woe to you, declares the Sovereign LORD. In addition to all your other wickedness, 24 you built a mound for yourself and made a lofty shrine in every public square. 25 At the head of every street you built your lofty shrines and degraded your beauty, offering your body with increasing promiscuity to anyone who passed by. 26 You engaged in prostitution with the Egyptians, your lustful neighbors, and provoked me to anger with your increasing promiscuity. 27 So I stretched out my hand against you and reduced your territory; I gave you over to the greed of your enemies, the daughters of the Philistines, who were shocked by your lewd conduct.
• four times by Jesus -
  • Mt 23:25 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26 Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.
  • Mk 7:20 He went on: “What comes out of a man is what makes him ‘unclean.’ 21 For from within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. 23 All these evils come from inside and make a man ‘unclean.’ ”
  • Lk 11:39 Then the Lord said to him, “Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. 40 You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? 41 But give what is inside the dish to the poor, and everything will be clean for you.
  • Lk 12:13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”
    Lk 12:14 Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” 15 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
• and the other six are in various letters, recounting what Jesus said during His time on earth.

I would hope we've seen enough of both capitalism, socialism, communism, and various other "-isms" to know that the problem isn't capitalism.  No - the problem is greed.  And generally - the greed problem comes down to power and / or money.  More likely "and" than "or".  

The problem of greed?

So - what's wrong with greed?

In his first letter to Timothy, Paul wrote -

Love of Money