Why do we live in a competitive society?

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Why?

Perhaps we have moved away from the teachings of Jesus as practiced by the earliest of Christians?

“32 Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. 33 With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. 35 They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 36 There was a Levite, a native of Cyprus, Joseph, to whom the apostles gave the name Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”). 37 He sold a field that belonged to him, then brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.” (Acts 4:32-37)
 
I once reflected on this topic. Amateur reasoning but there are interesting thoughts there.

 
IWantGod said:
Why do we live in a competitive society?
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I think the question is wrong. It should be why are humans innately competitive?

Our society is just a reflection of who we are, and competition stems from basic survival instincts, developed over many millennia.
 
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I’m 99.9% sure he was joking. Most of the time, he comes on threads to lighten the mood.
 
it looks like our desire to compete may stem from our need for survival, selfishness …
 
I remember John the Baptist - soldiers asking him a question -

He said “ be satisfied with your wages…”

Saint Paul said learn a trade - so you have no boss -

He also said “ do your work, as unto God, and not unto men “
 
Proverbs 16:8

Better is a little with righteousness Than great income with injustice.

Proverbs 22:16

He who oppresses the poor to make more for himself Or who gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.
 
James 5:4

Behold, the pay of the laborers who mowed your fields, and which has been withheld by you, cries out against you; and the outcry of those who did the harvesting has reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.
 
Leviticus 23:22

‘When you reap the harvest of your land, moreover, you shall not reap to the very corners of your field nor gather the gleaning of your harvest; you are to leave them for the needy and the alien. I am the LORD your God.’"
 
Leviticus 25:35-38

'Now in case a countryman of yours becomes poor and his means with regard to you falter, then you are to sustain him, like a stranger or a sojourner, that he may live with you.
 
Mark 10:21-22

Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, ‘You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions.
 
— Proverbs 31:8-9

Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court, for the Lord will take up their case and will exact life for life.
 
If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

— 1 John 3:17
 
Seek the Good of Others

“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.

— 1 Corinthians 10: 23-24
 
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I appreciate your quotes from scripture. But as I asked, how do you translate that to concrete actions you would take in society today to address what you see as the issues with competition? What changes would you make?
 
We live in a “Vale of Tears” , that’s why. When was it ever different once God placed an angel with a sword of flame at the entrance to Eden?
 
I’m not sure. I’m not saying that all competition is wrong, i am just saying that it should not determine whether or not you live in poverty. But i think we should think of alternatives. Lets attempt to conceive of what a Christian utopia would be like in economic terms. What system would best represent a Christian worldview?

Let me just throw out some possibilities one at a time. And you can tell me what you think.

Wealth Cap.

This means you can only earn a certain amount of wealth (i have no suggestions for how much that would be). Anything beyond that automatically goes to the common good, which means the creation of government funded jobs for those who fail to compete in the market. Also, universal health care. and other functions that contribute to the infrastructure of society.

A Wealth Cap Approach would function as a middle ground between Capitalism and Socialism. Taking the best of both, but being neither at the same time. The common good is upheld and a limited right to property is upheld also.
 
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Capitalism isn’t perfect, but it’s the least worst option. There is no alternative. The third way promoted by Bill Clinton and Tony Blair is the best way in my view.
 
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