[Linux4christians] The Moral Foundation of Free Software

[Mike Martin]

Don Parris wrote:
> I believe strongly that the Church - the whole Church - 
 > needs to wrestle with this issue...
> God bless,
> Don

Don,

Thank You for this good, lucid post to the email list. I would like to 
respond, but before I do can I ask you a question? If we don't agree, 
can we still be friends? :)

I understand the premise of the Open Source development model. I've been 
in technology for a long time and love it! The Open Source model is 
excellent for many reasons. However, it seems to me that the best of 
both the "open" and "closed" models are necessary in order to have any 
enterprise in the technology world.

You've spoken of the "moral foundation" of free software. But the 
ordinance of "labor" and the Biblical injunction of "industry" are just 
as necessary and fundamental to a well orbed Christian worldview. The 
Bible is replete with admonitions to good honest labor and the just 
rewards that come from it.

So just as we are called to "give cheerfully" and "love thy neighbor as 
thyself," we are also called to "provide for his own and his own house" 
(1 Tim 5:8). I've said all of that to say this: To create, research, 
develop, manufacture, and thus produce for profit is not only moral, but 
it is even Biblical (Luke 10:7). Read many of the Proverbs and you will 
see the reproach that idleness brings and the blessing industry brings.

In the end, there is absolutely NO reason why one could not, in 
Christian love, provide freely to others things that God has blessed him 
with, while also using said gifts and resources for one's own success 
and even profit. By exercising good stewardship the well spring of 
generosity could in reality, never end! This isn't some Pollyanna or 
"pie in the sky" viewpoint based upon simplistic dogma. I've lived it as 
many others that I know. I have personally reaped vast amount of wealth 
from technology. God has blessed me and my family in ways I do not 
deserve. I understand that it isn't really mine. None of it is. It all 
belongs to Him: The Creator!

So freely as I've been given, I attempt to freely give (open source). 
But freely as I've been given, I attempt to use it for personal gain and 
personal profit so that I can expand my abilities to be a better steward 
of God's resources (closed source).

This makes sense to me. Work is good. Profit from work is even better. 
Giving freely of your overflow is GODLY! GLORY!

Just my $.02 in the form of a sermon. Please forgive!!!!

In Christian Hope,

-Pastor Mike Martin

--
Pastor Mike Martin
mem0tech <<at>> cableone.net