Imagine

Imagine a world in which everyone obeys God. God who "so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." There will be no wars. No rape. No infanticide. No stealing. No lying. No sexual immorality. No AIDS.

We shall love our neighbors as ourselves. No need for politics. The White House becomes a museum and Congress goes on a permanent vacation. Everyone will seek "first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness," and all our needs will be met. No more scarcity. No need for economics. I'll have to find another job.

Here on Earth, in the year 2009 of our Lord, we all "fall short of the glory of God." Greed is a problem. We try to deal with the mess on our own, to make the best out of it. Some blame capitalism (private property) for encouraging selfish, destructive behavior. They offer either anarchy or bureaucratic tyranny as solutions.

It is obvious why a Christian cannot be an anarchist. The Apostle Paul writes: "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. . . . Whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God. . . . He [secular authority] is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil." (Romans 13:1-4)

But here comes the problem. A politician wants power. A businessman wants money. Patronage is the easiest way for both of them to achieve their goals. When we empower our representatives to control the economy, we give them a green light to serve special interests.

You can make a wish on a star for "philosopher-kings"-wise and benevolent politicians and experts-to take care of the market imperfections. It won't come to pass anytime soon. To be aware of man's sinful nature and to vote in favor of concentrating political power in the hands of a centralized government is a sign of inconsistency.