Community vs. Capitalism and Communism

The other night I was talking to a Chinese student and she said if America is kind of a Christian society, why are you so competitive in school, work, and sports like football? I was thinking more about what she must have meant, after she explained in China in the past they tried to make everyone equal. Everyone would work and then divid the money so everyone gets an equal share...it's kind of a Utopia idea. Then she said but it didn't really work, because people just got lazy then. Being from America and a home where capitalism is well GOOD. I was kind of confused at first! People do need motivation to work hard and be productive.

Then yesterday I ran across a list of the top 400 wealthiest people, and the article also stated that their wealth is about equal to the GDP of Canada. In a world with over 5 Billion people I was trying to figure out what these top 400 people must account for percentage wise, definately less than 1%. Which at first thought doesn't seem fair or right...while people are starving in this world a few people have control of many Billions of dollars. But (I believe) dividing it up equally wouldn't solve the worlds problems! The problems of this world and of every individual heart are so much greater! We long for a perfect world and society!

And this morning as a was reading it came together a bit more clearly as only one concept really answers the pitfalls of both Capitalism and Communism...Community! Community like the early Church experienced! In Acts 2 the early believers formed a community and devoted themselves to learning together and taking care of each others needs because of what God had done for them. They were motivated by their love for God and other people. No wonder God added to their group daily people who were being saved!

Everyone has a unique dream and purpose!

For we are all God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10