Proverbs 28.2
“When a land transgresses, it has many rulers, but with a man of understanding and knowledge, its stability will long continue.”
Proverbs 29.2
“When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.”
Our government is representative, and we elect officials who act on our behalf. We have the right and the responsibility to elect political leaders who govern wisely. Therefore, we should exercise great wisdom as we participate in our society and elect those who represent us in government.
Wise Christians are discerning about the political philosophy they adopt, and they are especially discerning about the philosophy they teach to their children. When I say “political philosophy,” I refer to what you believe about how our political system should operate, and your responsibilities as a citizen of American society. It is your understanding life, society, and governance.
This is not a neutral or trivial topic. Political philosophy has a profound, wide-ranging impact on virtually every dimension of our lives and communities. There are deceptive, dangerous political philosophies being promoted in our country today, and we should not to be fooled by their spurious claims. They fit the description of “the seductress” in Proverbs. Their speech is smooth and seductive, but in the end they are bitterness.
For example, many young people today are being enticed to advocate various forms of socialism. Surveys reveal that when asked if they prefer “capitalism” or “socialism,” most college students indicate a preference for socialism.
However, when asked to describe the difference between capitalism and socialism, they can’t. The most common response given by students is that capitalism is based on greed and self-interest, whereas socialism is based on being fair, just, and helping others.
This is a highly inaccurate description of the two political systems, and it is the result of students being influenced by false information from a variety of sources. The reality is that much of the world’s population greatly suffered under various forms of socialism in the 20th century. Not one of the various socialist models proved to be a success. Why not?
Here is a story to illustrate.
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Students in a college history class insisted that socialism was the most effective form of government. They were adamant that the U.S. should reject capitalism and adopt socialism in order to ensure equality for everyone. The students believed that under socialism no one would be poor, no one would be rich, and all would be equal.
The professor said, “OK, let’s do an experiment and implement a socialist policy in this class and see how it works out. But rather than money, let’s use grades. Everyone will still be required to do the work and take the tests, but from this moment forward, all grades will be averaged and everyone will receive the same grade. No one will get an F, and no one will get an A. You will all get the same grade, based on the average of the whole class. Everyone will be equal.”
After the first test, the grades were averaged and everyone got a B. The students who studied hard were upset, and the students who studied very little were happy. When it was time for the second test, the students who studied very little studied even less, and the students who had studied hard decided there wasn’t any payoff for their extra effort, so they didn’t study much either.
The second test average was a D. No one was happy.
After the 3rd test, the average was an F.
There was much arguing, bickering, and blaming.
To their great surprise and dismay, everyone in the class failed. As the semester ended, the professor explained that they had experienced a valuable — albeit painful — lesson on why socialism doesn’t work.
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We are blessed to be citizens of a country that offers the liberties and opportunities of a constitutional republic. It is not a perfect political system, but it is by far the most equitable and effective. However, American society will not function effectively with unwise leaders, selfish citizens, and a bureaucratic government that over-taxes, over-spends, the over-regulates.
May wisdom guide the way the American people live and work. May wisdom guide the way American people elect political leaders. May wisdom guide the way political leaders represent the American people.
“Remove the worthless things from silver to make it pure, and a worker can make something beautiful. Take the evil advisors away from a king, and goodness will make his kingdom strong.” (Proverbs 25:4-5, The Message Bible)
