I must admit that I always hated group projects. Though they were intended to teach work ethic, team dynamics, and interpersonal skills, I learned to despise them.   Why? As an “A’ student, I was always placed in a group with several unmotivated students who didn’t care about their “D” average in the class.  I ended up doing most of the work. At the end of the project, we all got “A’s” because 1 or 2 of us did all the work while the others reaped the benefits.  What lessons did I learn: Good students carry the weight for poor students.  Laziness can pay off if you latch on to motivated students.  Etc. Etc.     Group projects are a case study of the problems with socialism.

Throughout history, the pope has affirmed that socialism is evil.   If the Bible teaches that socialism is evil (and it does), then why do so many seem to promote this idea.  Socialism violates human rights like liberty, right to property, and historically has lead to loss of life time and time again.    Socialism is wrong on multiple levels and contrasted sharply with Biblical free market capitalism.

Consider this thought: If God owns everything (and He does) and God could accurately discern who is needy (which He can) and God had the power to take from one group and give to others (which He could), then why doesn’t He? The one Person, who could ethically, morally, and accurately coerce others, chooses not to. How presumptuous is it to adopt a method that God—the only One qualified for the job—won’t use?

These rights, principles, and concepts were played out by a Christian moral philosopher named Adam Smith. In 1776, at the University of Glasgow, he wrote a book called “The Wealth of Nations.” His book is the foundation and launching pad for modern capitalism. These new ideas launched a worldwide revolution in prosperity.

• Prior to 1780, four-fifths of the French expended 90% of their income for food to survive.
• Even as recently as 1780 in Germany, fewer than 1000 people earned more than $1000 a year.

As the Reformers implemented biblical ideas on economics and liberty, a wave of prosperity was launched wherever they went.

• From 1800 to 1850, wages quadrupled.
• From 1850 to 1900 they quadrupled again.
• In the 19^th century, actual wealth and income increased 16 times over. This was true in England; but it was truer in America where free enterprise had its finest reign.

~What if Jesus Was Never Born by James Kennedy

Adam Smith is known today as the “Father of Modern Economics.” He took biblical principles that were articulated by many before him and applied them in a comprehensive way. If you want to look more into the background for these ideas, I’d recommend 3 books:

• “Victory of Reason” and “The Rise of Christianity” by Rodney Stark.
• “What if Jesus had Never Been Born” by James Kennedy
• “The Wealth of Nations” by Adam Smith.

If you’d rather not read more books, maybe this story will help make the “complex”become more simple to understand.

An economics teacher was trying to convince his class that capitalism produced incentive and socialism did not. He wanted them to see why capitalism was inherently better for society than Marxism. They didn’t buy it. He devised a practical way to unbrainwash the class of their love for socialism. He waited for the first test. When the teacher passed out the tests to his class, everyone received a “C+” Many students had studied hard and earned “A’s”, while others had blown off the test and failed. The teacher said that he wanted to treat everyone equally –just as they had suggested. He averaged the efforts of the class and gave everyone a “C+”!

Well, guess what? On the next test, the A’s students who had been robbed for their efforts, didn’t study as hard. The F students continued their bad study habits since they were quite happy with the rewards of their lack of effort on the last test. At the end of the second test, everyone’s averaged grade was a “D.” The class started catching on. They saw that treating everyone equally leads to a downward spiral. It robs the hard workers of the fruit of their hard work. It also rewards laziness and apathy as well.

So what is Godonomics? It’s the beauty of God’s wisdom applied to economics. It is the power of His wisdom applied to a personal, family, and even national economy. It is the blueprint and framework for experiencing liberty, prosperity, and generosity

For more information, check out www.godonomics.com