I ran across the following quote the other day. It is an excerpt from Thomas Paine's book, Common Sense and is often referred to as the Entrepreneur's Credo. I find it inspiring and aligned with biblical Christianity. But I know that among many Christians, it has become fashionable to depict entrepreneurialism as a baneful contradiction of spirituality and to sanctify instead helpless dependency. I think that's misguided, but I am open to correction; can any of you liberal-leaning brothers and sisters out there in the blogosphere show me where and how any part of this statement contradicts the true spirit of Jesus Christ and biblical Christianity?
If you can demonstrate that to me, I would very much appreciate it and I mean that. Am I missing something here? If, on the other hand, this statement is in harmony with the Gospel of Christ, then all of you who sought and continue to seek cradle-to-grave "care" from the federal government, may be seeking something that is steadily but surely pushing our nation away from true dependence on God.
I do not choose to be a common man,
It is my right to be uncommon . . . if I can.
I seek opportunity . . . not security.
I do not wish to be a kept citizen,
humbled and dulled by having the
State look after me.
I want to take the calculated risk;
to dream and to build,
to fail and to succeed.
I refuse to barter incentive for a dole;
I prefer the challenges of life
to the guaranteed existence,
the thrill of fulfillment
to the stale calm of Utopia.
I will not trade freedom for beneficence
nor my dignity for a handout.
I will never cower before any master
nor bend to any threat.
It is my heritage to stand erect,
proud and unafraid,
to think and act for myself,
to enjoy the benefit of my creations
and to face the world boldly and say:
"This, with God’s help, I have done.
All this is what it means
To be an Entrepreneur.
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