| Free Market Capitalism and the Protestant Work Ethic, Part 2 |
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| Written by David Lawrence |
| Sunday, December 20 2009 00:00 |
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What is the Protestant work ethic as defined by Max Weber a number of years ago? Very simply, in areas where the Reformed faith prevailed, people came to believe that God is sovereign and ordains all things according to His wise purpose and counsel (Eph. 1:11). Thus, in accordance with that eternal purpose He has called the saved to eternal life. As he ordains all things, He also calls people to a particular line of work. We speak of a vocation, which is simply the Latin word for calling. Reformed people were taught that their primary purpose in life was to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever; thus, one would glorify God in his line of work, his calling. Paul wrote that “whatever we eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31). Also, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Col. 3:17). Again, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” (Col. 3:23-24). Fortified with passages and concepts such as these, Reformed Christians approached whatever work they had with diligence. No task was too menial, whether collecting trash, cleaning houses, working in a store or on a farm…it was all done to the best of their ability, with all their heart, to the Lord, in service to Christ and with a view to glorifying God. This was the “Protestant work ethic,” rooted in the doctrine of divine calling and sovereign and personal purpose for each of God’s children. It was the result of taking God and His word and promises seriously. Wherever the teaching of election, calling, sovereignty, and Biblical authority went, people worked with a commitment and passion, for they were working for the Lord. With this kind of hard work, the economy of Protestant lands prospered greatly. France and England saw a great increase in their economy, as did Germany, Scandinavia, Switzerland, and other Protestant lands. (To be concluded) |
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