"By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words"

One of the debates in Christianity is whether Christianity is socialist or capitalist.  I believe I have written in the past that I think it is much more aligned with capitalism than socialism.  One of my main reasons for believing that is that Scripture makes very clear that your rewards in Heaven will be merit based.  Salvation is available to all for the asking but our rewards in Heaven are based on our usefulness to God here on earth. 

So for me at least, it would be illogical that God would have one system in Heaven and the diametrically opposed system here on earth. 

Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery.  Winston Churchill

And another word for envy is covetousness.  One of the aspects that has always puzzled me is how red letter Christians justify covetousness.  The belief that it is OK take from those who have more and give to those who have less simply because those who have more, have more. 

Well I ran across this Scripture today.  Seem like St. Peter had similar concerns. 
 

2 Peter 2:1-3(NKJV)

But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 

And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 

By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.

Remember folks, Satan is the master of deception and there is no easier way to deceive Christians than to make something sound Biblical when it isn't.  How do we avoid being deceived?

Oh that is easy.  By having the Holy Spirit guide you daily in your study of Scripture.  How do you get the Holy Spirit?  Just ask Jesus into your life.  When you accept Jesus, God's Son, you also get the Holy Spirit to guide you.

So if you have never asked Jesus into your life, why not do it now?  Just have a conversation with Jesus.  "Dear Jesus…."

If you would like to study more about this subject I would like to recommend a book to you.  It's called Is Capitalism Christian?  It is a book of essays by different authors on the subject.  It explores the issue from both sides.

http://www.amazon.com/Is-Capitalism-Christian-Franky-Schaeffer/dp/0891073892