Capital Gains and the Bible

The basic definition of a capital gain is profit or the increase in value of an asset over time. What to do with the gain has been a point of contention between conservatives and liberals for years. Contemporary liberal thinking is that profit should be taxed and redistributed so others could share in the benefits of that gain while conservative thinkers believe such gain should be reinvested so the growth of the assets in question can continue.

Such thinking on the part of liberals is somewhat surprising inasmuch as liberal fiscal policy as defined by Webster includes the premises of …individual freedom from restraint based on free competition, the self regulating market…etc. This issue was brought to light recently as democrats scrambled for ways to fund their proposed ‘health care reform’ legislation and we started hearing about the larger issues of capital productivity and the redistribution of wealth. And the Bible is certainly not silent on these issues.

Jesus taught the parable of the talents. Granted, this parable is about being productive with spiritual responsibilities and opportunities, however, His teachings wouldn’t be illustrated with fiscal practices if those practices were not recognized as valid.

The parable begins with the owner of many assets planning an extended trip. Before he leaves he divides his portfolio among three servants and entrusts them to manage his assets while he is away. He recognizes that the three have different levels of ability and he divides his holdings accordingly.

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.” Matthew 25:14-15

The servant entrusted with the most capital began immediately to buy and sell and soon doubled the value of the assets within his control. The next servant was entrusted with less capital; however, he also doubled its value during the same time period. The third servant was less confident and feared the assets entrusted to him would lose value so he took the money out of circulation. This action, while attempting to guard against a loss in asset value, absolutely placed a cap on any opportunity for growth. And then the three servants waited for the owner to return from his trip so they could explain their strategies and successes.

“Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.” Matthew 25:16-19

And so it was, the first two servants that doubled the value of the capital entrusted to them were praised by the owner. He told them both that because of their successes with the limited capital entrusted to them they were deemed worthy to be trusted with greater responsibility.

“So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things….’ He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look I have gained two more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant…’” Matthew 25:20-23

Then the servant who was entrusted with the least capital confronted the owner. Recall that he was afraid to enter the market place and take any risks. He actually appeared proud that he hadn’t lost any of the asset value entrusted to him. It is also evident from the text that this servant didn’t have a clear understanding of the sovereignty of the owner nor the concept of capitalism.

“Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’” Matthew 25:24-25

The owner’s response was not what the servant expected. The owner stated that even if the servant’s perception of him was true, it was inexcusable to take the capital entrusted to him out of circulation. The servant’s slothfulness was even termed ‘wicked.’ The servant was told that if he didn’t have the ability to assess risks he should have least deposited the money in the bank and let it draw interest. Implied is that the banker would place the deposited money back into circulation so it could grow.

“But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant…you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest.’” Matthew 25:26-27

Subsequently those who grew the capital entrusted to them were rewarded and not penalized for their successes. He who was not successful, or did not grow the assets entrusted to him, was forced to turn his capital over to them who would and could grow it. This redistribution can also be accomplished via the free market.

“So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given…but from he who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.’” Matthew 25:28-30

Based on this Biblical illustration one can assess the validity of taxing the wealthy to fund entitlement programs including health care reform.

The Road to Bethlehem, and Beyond...Conclusion

We’ve examined the prophecies leading up to the birth of Jesus at Bethlehem and then confirmed those events through history.

Several Old Testament prophecies told that this offspring of King David would be the Prince of Peace and be the head of a kingdom that would never end. But what happened to the child born in Bethlehem 2,000 years ago who was to be the King of the Jews?

“…Pilate…brought Jesus out…and he said to the Jews, ‘Behold your King!’ But they cried out, ‘Away with Him…Crucify Him!’ Pilate said to them, ‘Shall I crucify your King?’ The chief priests answered, ‘We have no king but Caesar!’ Then he delivered Him to them to be crucified…And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place…where they crucified him…Now Pilate wrote a title and put in on the cross…JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.” John 19:13-19

The promised King was crucified! What happened to God’s magnificent plan where the “seed of the woman” would defeat Satan? Did the death of Jesus nullify these promises? Absolutely not!

Remember back in the Garden of Eden that Adam and Eve’s sin of disobedience caused God to pronounce a curse on Satan, all mankind, and the earth itself. Because God is absolutely just, He required a payment for that original sin plus the sins of all people since that time.

“For the wages of sin is death…” Romans 6:23

“But now the righteousness of God is revealed...for all who believe…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely…through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation (required payment) by His blood…” Romans 3:21-24

The above passage reveals that God Himself provided a remedy for sin and the descendants of Adam and Eve could be restored to a right standing before their Creator. The key word in this passage is “redemption.” Remember Boaz, the great grandfather of King David? He married the widow Ruth and redeemed (bought back) her inheritance that she and her widowed mother-in-law Naomi had lost when their husbands died. By marrying Ruth Boaz also restored the family name. Similarly Adam and Eve and all of their descendants lost everything due to disobedience, but they also have a kinsman redeemer, the seed of the woman who like Boaz was legally qualified to redeem everything they lost by paying the required price of His own blood. Jesus was born to die to pay the required redemptive price for all mankind!

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ…as He chose us…before the foundation of the world…having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself…by which He made us accepted…In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace…” Ephesians 1:3-7

“In Him…having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession…” Ephesians 1:13-14

The above passage states that those who believe in the person and mission of Jesus Christ were “sealed” which confirmed the down payment of their inheritance of eternal life. The word sealed in scripture means that the purpose cannot be changed. Sealed also stands for ownership and lastly signifies a finished transaction.

“So I bought the field from…the son of my uncle…and I signed the deed and sealed it, took witnesses, and weighed the money on the scales.” Jeremiah 32:9-10

Therefore, Jesus paid the redemptive price for the lost inheritance for all of Adam and Eve’s descendants on the cross. Jesus was then raised from the grave to prove that His death was accepted to appease a Holy and just God. That transaction was signed and sealed.

The Apostle John witnessed the completion of the redemption process in Heaven as he was penning the Revelation.

“And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, ‘Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?’…So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll…but one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.’…and behold in the midst stood a Lamb as though it had been slain…He came and took the scroll… Revelation 5:1-7

Then voices rang out…

“And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals; for you were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood…’” Revelation 5:9

What remains to fulfill prerecorded history is for Jesus to reclaim, or take back all which He paid for on the cross and then present it to His bride.

“Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready. And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright… ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’” Revelation 19:7-9

“And there shall be no more curse…” Revelation 22:3

“And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’…Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.” Revelation 22:17

The major doctrine of the Bible is redemption. Christmas is the time to celebrate the birth of the Redeemer who was born to pay the price of sin with His blood and then be raised from the grave to prepare a place for His bride. His bride is all the people that believe in and commit their lives to their “Kinsman Redeemer.” Then Christ and His bride will reside in New Jerusalem forever and ever and ever!

The free gift of redemption is available to all who will receive it.

Merry Christmas!

The Road to Bethlehem, and Beyond...Part 3

We left off last week as the widows Naomi and her daughter-in-law Ruth returned to Bethlehem after having lost everything when their husbands died. Upon their return Ruth providentially encountered a man named Boaz who was a brother of Elimelech, Naomi’s deceased husband. According to Jewish law Boaz could redeem all that Naomi and Ruth had lost if he would willingly pay a price for the lost possessions. Boaz could likewise restore the family name by marrying one of the two widows, but he could also decline the redemption opportunity by doing neither.

“If one of your brethren becomes poor, and has sold some of his possession, and if his redeeming relative comes to redeem it, then he may redeem what his brother sold.” Leviticus 25:25

“…and if one (brother) dies and has no son…the widow of the dead man shall not be married to a stranger outside the family; her husband’s brother shall…take her as his wife…and it shall be that the firstborn son which she bears will succeed to the name of his dead brother, that his name may not be blotted out of Israel. But if the man does not want to take his brother’s wife…” Deuteronomy 25:5-6

Boaz announced his decision loud and clear.

“And Boaz said to the elders and all the people, ‘You are witnesses this day that I have bought all that was Elimelech’s and all that was Mahlon’s (Ruth’s deceased husband) from the hand of Naomi. Moreover, Ruth…I have acquired as my wife, to perpetuate the name of the dead through his inheritance, that the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brethren…’” Ruth 4:8-10

“So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife; and…the LORD gave her conception, and she bore a son.” Ruth 4:13

The son that Ruth bore would be no other than the grandfather of King David.

“…And they called his name Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David.” Ruth 4:17

The story of Ruth illustrates wonderfully the Jewish law of redemption where lost possessions may by bought back for a price by a male relative of the deceased. Such laws also provided for the restoration of a family name when that name was lost due to death. Ruth’s story serves perfectly as a metaphor for the dilemma that arose in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve had likewise lost everything and were destined to die and leave their descendants without an inheritance. To restore that which was lost in the Garden of Eden, there must be a relative capable and willing to pay a redemptive price and restore the family name. And, indeed there was such a kinsman redeemer who will be revealed as history unfolds.

Well, the grandson born to Boaz and Ruth, i.e. David, ruled as king over Israel from 1010 BC to 970 BC. During the early part of his reign God made a promise to David. This promise added more detail to the earlier promise made to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Judah.

“When your days are fulfilled…I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom…and the throne of his kingdom forever…and your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever.” 2 Samuel 7:12-16

As history progressed God promised King David that his offspring would build a great house, both a dynasty and family name which would begin a kingdom that God would establish and would never end.

The Old Testament provides more details about the coming King as recorded by the prophet Isaiah around 700 BC.

“Hear now, O house of David…the LORD Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:13-14

“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever…” Isaiah 9:6-7

About that same time the prophet Micah provided more detail as to where the future King would be born.

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel…” Micah 5:12

Thus far it was told about the future king and redeemer that He would be:

1) born of the flesh, i.e. seed of the woman
2) seed of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Judah, i.e. a Jew
3) seed of Jesse and family of King David
4) born in the village of Bethlehem Judah

And according to the New Testament historical records:

“…Joseph…do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 1:20

The child was, therefore, the seed of the woman, and not the seed of the man.

“The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham: Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers. Judah begot Perez…Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David the king.” Matthew 1:1-6

The child was indeed the offspring of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Judah…Boaz, Obed, Jesse, and David.

“Joseph also went up from Galilee…to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David.” Luke 2:4

Well, we’re at Bethlehem, but we’ll only stay for a moment on our way to New Jerusalem.

To be concluded next week.

The Road to Bethlehem, and Beyond....Part 2

The Bible reveals that Satan confronted the first man and woman in the Garden of Eden and tempted them also to rebel against their creator’s authority. They succumbed to his misrepresentation of God’s instructions and disobeyed His clear command not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The results of this sin were tremendous. Satan was cursed as well as the entire earth. Adam and Eve and their descendants had lost their innocence and their right standing with God. They were doomed to die and spend eternity without their creator. Adam and Eve were helpless to deliver themselves out of this dilemma. Their only hope was that God Himself would provide a means for the curse to be removed.

Inasmuch as God’s predominant attribute is His justness, the earth and Adam and Eve could only be restored if the curse was removed with a tangible payment for their disobedience, i.e. a redemptive price. And so it was, while God was pronouncing the required curse on Satan, He revealed a glimpse of hope with the following words that began the war of all ages.

“…and I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise (crush) your head, and you shall bruise His heel.” Genesis 3:15

Notice particularly that the one to battle with Satan would be the “seed of the woman” and not the seed of the man.

God began to fulfill the Genesis 3:15 promise approximately 2,000 years after He made it. He called out a particular man named Abraham to partake in His redemptive plan for the earth and mankind. He made a more specific everlasting and unconditional promise to Abraham and his descendants which would affect all the families of the earth.

“I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you. And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you…for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you.” Genesis 17:5-7

Then Abraham had two sons, Ishmael and Isaac. The promise was passed through Isaac. Isaac then had two sons, Jacob and Esau. The promise was passed through Jacob whose name was later changed to “Israel.” Jacob had twelve sons who became the leaders of the twelve tribes of Israel. The promise was passed through Jacob’s son Judah.

So the promise of the redeemer of the earth and mankind was given to a specific race of people, namely the Jews. Thus far it was known:

1) the redeemer would be a human, i.e. the seed of the woman
2) the redeemer would be come through the family of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Judah

The promise was passed on through Judah’s son Perez who was a twin resulting from an illicit relationship between Judah and his daughter-in-law Tamar.

The Old Testament continues through the Egyptian bondage, then the Exodus, the wandering in the wilderness, and taking possession of the Land of Canaan.

The first form of government for the Jews in their promised land was called a theocracy where God ruled His people through men and women called Judges.

It was during the time of the Judges that there was a severe famine in Judah. Many had to leave because of the famine and journey to other lands to survive. There was a certain family from Bethlehem, Judah that departed and dwelt in Moab for ten years. The family consisted of a husband, his wife, and two sons. The husband died and the two sons married women from Moab. Thereafter the two sons died leaving the wife and two daughters-in-law.

“Now it came to pass, in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem, Judah, went to dwell in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons. The name of the man was Elimelech, the name of his wife was Naomi…Then Elimelech…died; and she was left, and her two sons. Now they took wives of the women of Moab: the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth…” Ruth 1:1-4

Shortly thereafter the two sons also died leaving Naomi and her two daughters-in-law. The Bible goes on to state that the famine eased in Judah and Naomi wanted to return home. She encouraged her daughters-in-law to remain in their own country; however, Ruth insisted that she remain with her mother-in-law. So Naomi and Ruth journeyed to Bethlehem, Judah.

Naomi had lost everything since leaving Judah ten years earlier. She had lost her family name and inheritance when her husband and sons died. She had little to look forward to as she and her widowed daughter-in-law Ruth returned to Bethlehem and shared her plight with her old friends.

“Now the two of them went until they came to Bethlehem. And… all the city was excited because of them…But she said to them… ‘The Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the LORD has brought me home again empty…’ So Naomi returned, and Ruth…her daughter-in-law with her, who returned from the country of Moab. Now they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest.”
Ruth 1:19-22

Because they were very poor, young Ruth volunteered to glean grain for food.

“So Ruth…said to Naomi, ‘Please let me go to the field, and glean heads of grain…’ and Naomi said to her, ‘Go, my daughter.’” Ruth 2:2

“Then she…happened to come to…the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech.” Ruth 2:3

Inasmuch as Boaz was a relative of Naomi’s deceased husband Elimelech, he was legally qualified to redeem all that she had lost, i.e. her family name and inheritance, but would he be willing?

To be continued…

The Road to Bethlehem, and Beyond....Part 1

Christmas, i.e. the birth of Jesus is celebrated on December 25th. Many historians, however, believe He was actually born in the late summer, but the time of the year when He was born makes no difference. December 25th was an existing Jewish holiday celebrating the rededication of the temple about 165 BC in the time of the Maccabees. This was the last of the Jewish holiday, or feasts, and it was originally called the Feast of Dedication, or Feast of Lights. This was a jubilant time when the Jews carried branches of trees in their hands. It lasted for eight days beginning on December 25th. This Jewish holiday is better known today as Hanukkah.

The date Christmas is celebrated is not nearly as significant as compared to what and why it is celebrated. Those are the important issues. Who remembers the birth date of John F. Kennedy? What is remembered is what he did during his life and how and when he died.

When the birth of Jesus is considered it needs to be remembered that Jesus was the name given to God in the flesh, and Christ was His title, or position. Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, while Christ has always been.

Though Christmas is the most popular of all secular holidays, it ranks perhaps third in importance on the Christian calendar. No one has ever gained entrance to heaven just by believing Jesus was born in Bethlehem approximately 2,000 years ago. Even the demons believe that. According to the scriptures heaven is attained through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Therefore, both Good Friday and Easter will have a deeper meaning to Christians. The Bible reveals the profound truth that Jesus was born to die.

Though the account of the birth of Jesus is given in the gospel records, as are the other events of His life, so much depth of the Christmas story is missed if our understanding is limited to the few passages describing the events in Bethlehem.

The story of Jesus Christ began long before the virgin birth. In like manner the story of Jesus did not end at Calvary.

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” Genesis 1:1

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God…And the Word became flesh…” John 1:1-2, 14

The Greek base for Word is Logos which means the expression of a concept or thought. In this case Word is the image of God or the incarnate Christ, the second Person of the Godhead.

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes…and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life…” I John 1:1

“He is the image of the invisible God…” Colossians 1:15

“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us he His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person…” Hebrews 1:1-3

God was the only being in the universe that was not created. He was the creator of all things including angels. He created the most beautiful of all angels called Lucifer, son of the morning, but Lucifer thought because he was so powerful and beautiful that he shouldn’t have to be subservient to his creator. That was the initial sin in the universe, i.e. rebellion against the authority of God.

Because of God’s very nature He deals harshly with all rebellion and so it was, Lucifer was expelled from his place of authority in the heavens and cast down to earth. He brought with him his pride and rebellion which are the seeds of all sin. He was no longer Lucifer, but rather Satan, the Devil, the Father of Darkness, that Old Serpent.

Now the question can be answered, i.e. “Why Jesus?”

“He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” I John 3:8

So then, the story of Jesus Christ is the story of God’s plan to cleanse the polluted earth, destroy Satan, and turn the restored planet and its inhabitants back to God as they originally were, perfect. Remember God’s assessment of His creation on earth.

“Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good…” Genesis 1:31

Therefore, the mission of Jesus was to come to earth and repossess it. In other words, Jesus had to redeem, or buy back, the fallen earth and its inhabitants. When that is completed He will turn it back over to the Father.

“…Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power…The last enemy that will be destroyed is death…Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.” I Corinthians 15:24-28

The story of Jesus is beautiful and complete beyond our comprehension. Our journey begins approximately 4,000 years before Jesus’ birth in the manger in Bethlehem and then we’ll continue on to New Jerusalem after which, time will be no more.

To be continued.