I’m a capitalist, so I don’t agree with Pope Francis’ solution on this issue.  While this article about the Pope’s position on capitalism is almost four years old, in more recent articles, the Pope really hasn’t changed his position on capitalism, wealth, and poverty.

In this article, the Pope is proposing political and economic change in the world from capitalism to socialism, even though world history has repeatedly shown socialism to be a failed economic system.  Also, he is presuming that all wealthy people are in the same socioeconomic bucket he labels “new tyranny.”

Quite the contrary, I think the majority of wealthy and not so wealthy people have loving hearts and are willing to share some of their wealth, small or large, with those less fortunate, e.g., through proportional, fair-share taxes and charitable giving from private wealth.  For example, Warren Buffett in 2006 gave $30B of his $43B net worth at the time to the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation.  The Gates Foundation works on big world issues under the vision that “All Lives have Equal Value.”  Warren Buffett’s net worth just 10 years later is $75B.  I won’t be surprised when he gives another $30B+ to the Gates Foundation.

Although I haven’t put in the time, I’m confident there is research of the past and present that shows there are many more “Warren Buffett’s” out there.  Is it smart for our society to take wealth beyond fair-share taxes and charitable giving from these people to distribute to others who are much less capable than they in leveraging private resources to generate wealth?  Sounds disingenuous to me at best and dangerous at worst for the overall financial and innovative advancement of our society.  Of course, we need religious leaders such as the Pope and ultimately Jesus to work on the hearts of those of us in humankind who are not as generous as Warren Buffett, Bill, and Melinda Gates.

I believe the Pope is a disciple of Christ, a caring person, and has good intentions with his proposed solution.  I just think on this issue he is ultimately wrong in his analysis, conclusion, and solution.  I think we’ll all be better served if he and other world religion leaders spend their time speaking to changing the hearts of individuals who need a “generosity of heart” tuneup.

Our Lord Jesus gives the Pope as well as all of us the following guidelines to use when talking about generosity of heart: (1) Matthew 26:11 – The poor you’ll always have with you, (2) Matthew 22:39 – …love your neighbor as you love yourself, and (3) Luke 12:48 – …much is required from the person to whom much is given.  Also, the parable of the Talents in Matthew 25 is a practical story explaining how God will use those who are “wealth generators” for the advancement of all his creations.

A final economics lesson comes from John F. Kennedy, former President, 1961-63, USA – “A rising tide raises all boats.”  Ronald Reagan, former President, 1981-1988, USA,  espoused the same view with his support of trickle-down economics.  They both believed that people like Warren Buffett are like a tsunami tide for improving the economy for all.

I’m a big believer in separation of church and state.  I’ll leave the responsibilities of state to a later discussion.  I completely believe it is the responsibility of the church to shine the light of Jesus on individual hearts, ultimately changing the people of our democratic-free society and their government from the inside-out.

I don’t believe the church should spend its time trying to change the government system from the outside-in to force the members of our society with private wealth to distribute it equally among all in our society.

In fact, I believe history would bear me out that such a socialistic action would ultimately dramatically increase poverty within our society.  .