There is a lesson that is taught by Jesus Christ that is central to the real and full enjoyment of life. Really it sits as the rock-solid foundation of economics. Here it is in a quote from the apostle Paul:
Acts 20:33-35
I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel. Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
This text deserves a much more thorough look than we are able to give it in this format. The point of it is that true blessing and happiness is the result of being gainfully employed in our economy and being a contributor rather than a taker. It is this principle and value that makes the economy strong and the people happy and fulfilled. Socialism is rather the covetousness that Paul spoke of in verse 33. Socialism robs the foundation principle out of economics and impoverishes the individual and the society. This is the point of stewardship that Solomon teaches in Ecclesiastes chapter five.
This story has been floating around on the Internet and illustrates this principle:
Fifty Dollars
I recently asked my friend's little girl what she wanted to be when she grows up. She said she wanted to be President some day. Both of her parents, quite socialistic, were standing there, so I asked her, "If you were President what would be the first thing you would do?"
She replied, "I'd give food and houses to all the homeless people."
Her parents beamed.
"Wow...what a worthy goal," I told her, "But you don't have to wait until you're President to do that. You can come over to my house and mow the lawn, pull weeds, and sweep my yard, and I'll pay you $50. Then I'll take you over to the grocery store where the homeless guy hangs out, and you can give him the $50 to use toward food and a new house."
She thought that over for a few seconds, then she looked me straight in the eye and asked, "Why doesn't the homeless guy come over and do the work, and you can just pay him the $50?"
Her parents still aren't speaking to me.
