In recent years the Christian theory on socialism has been misrepresented by secularists on both the right and the left. We have seen those on the left contend that socialism is a Christian virtue and that Christians should rally to our President’s side when he calls on us to help him achieve “social justice.” Meanwhile, secularists on the right peek up from the cover of an Ayn Rand book long enough to scorn “Christian Socialism.” The true Biblical position on economics refute both the secularism and big government theories of the left and the objectivism that some embrace on the right.
Many liberal thinkers have pointed to the verse in the Bible that talks about the “everything common” principle within the early church as evidence that the Bible embraces the current administration’s view of social justice.
All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. -Acts 2:44-47a (NIV)
Critics point to this as evidence that God condones socialism. However, I would encourage you to note what the end of that verse says; they broke bread in their homes, not in the palaces, not in government offices, in their homes. The Bible makes it clear that the church should be at the forefront of meeting people’s needs. The government has of late done more to hinder church involvement than to encourage it. The dirty little secret that no one wants to address is the fact that the government does not want competition to the welfare state. The church and its generosity is a direct threat to the welfare state’s perpetuation.
Some have suggested that Christianity inherently supports the idea of big government. This is also untrue. As a matter of fact, you can read in 1 Samuel chapter 8 that God warns the people of Israel what will happen if they take for themselves a king. You will find that he warns them of a king who will take their property and expand his control over their lives.
Later we find that King Ahab seeks out property that is owned by an individual who holds that it was God who had given his family that particular piece of land. This individual will not give the King (government authority) this particular piece of land and he is killed for his refusal. God later punishes King Ahab for stealing the land that God had given this man. You can read about this in 1 Kings 21.
The preceding account shows us both the Biblical position on ownership of private property and what God thinks about man made governments that try and supercede His authority.
Recently, President Obama declared that “we are God’s partners in life and death.” This statement struck me as profound concerning the attitude of this administration. The current administration believes that government has authority in whether or not people live or die. From a Biblical standpoint, God, and God alone, has the authority over matters that this administration claims to be His partners in. In Ezekiel 28:1-7 God chastises the governmental authority of Tyrus for setting himself on the level of God. When government begins to take upon itself responsibilities that are God’s then that government has put itself on His level. The founders of our nation would cringe at such an idea.
Books could be written on this subject, however, I will conclude with this. On the right, some objectivists claim that man creates his own destiny and wealth, on the left, some secularists claim that government is the giver of wealth. Most simply, neither theory is correct, God is the giver of wealth. He gives man the talents necessary to aquire wealth. Without God giving man his ability to work, man would be helpless in a world that demands results. The socialist theory is based on the principle that wealth comes from a government of man. According to the Bible, God is the giver of wealth.
And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.
But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day. – Deuteronomy 8:17-18
I would encourage you to study further into what the Bible specifically says about economics.The economics presented in the Bible are the same economics that our founders embraced; a free economy where ownership is encouraged and government control over God given property is discouraged.
