If you guys think we shouldn’t have a capitalist or socialist government, then what should we do in the eyes of God?

2 Thessalonians 3:10 - For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat

That aligns with socialist models. A capitalist way of framing that would be:

For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any do not work, neither should they eat.

Notice the difference?

Under a socialist state, those who are unable to work are cared for by the community. Under a capitalist system it's up to individual charity whether those people starve or not. Under both systems, those who are able to work need to work.

Also, it's important to keep in mind the culture that 2 Thessalonians was written to. They did not have a welfare system in ancient Rome. The only people who had time for leisure; the only people who didn't do any work, were the wealthy people because they had servants who would work for them. So, in all likelihood that verse was directed at wealthy people who lived off the labor of the poor, not to poor people who refused to work.

Ephesians 4:28 - Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth

That's in line with socialist models as well. Neither capitalist nor socialist economic systems support stealing and both demand that those who are able to should work.

Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God. For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.

Again, I fail to see how this supports capitalism. This passage would apply in a socialist system as well. Socialism doesn't say one shouldn't enjoy the fruits of their labor.

1 Corinthians 9:7 Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Or who tends a flock without getting some of the milk?

This one is more pro-socialist than it is pro-capitalist. Are the immigrants working the fields for less than minimum wage the ones who get to enjoy the fruits of their labor in a capitalist system? No! They break their backs in the fields picking fruits for wealthy people to get rich off of while they make barely enough to stay poor.

This passage actually strongly support socialism or perhaps even communist models (wherein it is the workers who own the means of production rather than the landlords).

/r/Christian Thread Parent