What Does the Bible Have to Say About Socialism? Chuck Bentley | 3/17/16
Dear Chuck,
When I consider all the
wars fought to protect America and a way of life that provides opportunity for
any person with a good idea, I’m shocked by the rise of Senator Bernie Saunders
as a socialist running for the American presidency. I read an article recently that noted, “For people under 30, socialism isn’t a
scary word,” but shouldn’t it be? What does the Bible have to say about
socialism?
Dear Concerned,
The fascination with
socialism that has risen during this election season I believe comes in part
from a lack of understanding of how it really works within a society.
Considering the impact of different forms of government, it’s important to
understand the fundamental issues of ownership and responsibility– and this is
something that the Bible addresses directly. I’m not a fan of socialism or
communism – and neither is the Bible.
Throughout the scripture,
from the first pages of Genesis, God gives men and women resources for their
use – for their good and the good of others. 1 Timothy 5:8 says, “Anyone who
does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household,
has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” The responsibility was
given to the individual, not delegated to the government.
Under Capitalism,
people own their property and businesses and are mostly free to use them as
they see fit. But in today’s politically correct environment a person’s use of
his or her own property is often mocked as selfish or greedy. Sadly, too many
educators today undermine the confidence of our young people in our country’s
economic systems, insinuating that freedom to use the property isn’t “fair” to
those without.
Under Socialism,
people have limited ownership of property and businesses, which much operate
under government control and regulation, and the government determines how all
profits and property can be used. People who embrace the use of governmental
power to suit their own social ends argue that this can create a kinder gentler
society as government decides who gets what, all in the name of helping the
less fortunate. This assumes that good-hearted people, i.e. the
government, are seizing the assets of less worthy people to give to the more
deserving. And it matters WHO gets to decide the definition of “deserving.” It
sets up a system in which the government picks winners and losers, sometimes to
gain the favor of voters.
Under Communism, there
is no veneer of personal ownership. The government owns and controls the
property and the people exist as workers for the state, which controls all of
their lives without pretense. In truth, it is the political leadership who
control the power and property, and there is little access to opportunity for
most people. Having traveled around the world many times (I’m writing to you
from Africa right now), I’ve seen the devastation of socialism and communism,
as people struggle to overcome barriers that their governments impose, and
suffer as much of their resources are taken from them.
But in the Bible, God
clearly gives resources to people and then holds them accountable for their use
of it (their stewardship).
Consider the story in Matthew 25 of the master going on a trip. He calls his servants to him and
gives one 5 bags of silver to invest, one 2 bags of silver and the last servant
one bag. They did not have the same resources, but they all had the same
responsibility – to do their best with what they had. When the master returned
home, he found that two of the servants had worked hard and rewarded them for
their effort – not their outcomes. Even his praise for a job well done was the
same, “Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in
handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities.
Let’s celebrate together!” And the servant who did nothing with what he was
given? He was punished.
Throughout the Bible,
the sluggard – the one who does not work or is lazy – is condemned and observed
to experience disaster. “A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to
rest— and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed
man.”– Proverbs 24:33-34
But for those whose
work yields a profit, sharing with those in need is expected, and not something
we can delegate to the government. The Apostle Paul was a great example of
this, paying his own way as a tentmaker, and urging others to work to pay for
themselves and others. In Acts 20:35, we read,
“In all things I have shown you that by
working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the
Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
Socialism insinuates
that the person who works is not deserving of the reward and breeds resentment
against those who have success and it also weakens the connection between work
and reward. Fundamentally, it violates the 10th commandment, “thou
shalt not covet,” by encouraging people to look at what others have, deciding
what should be taken away. But to build lasting wealth and resources, labor is
required.
As Christians, we are
called to work to the best of our ability, to care for our families and those
in need around us. Our work is one way that we communicate to the world around
us what a life submitted to Christ can be. We want to honor God with our
efforts.
Colossians 3:23 puts
it well: “Whatever
you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human
masters.”
If you would like to
learn more about God’s perspective on work and resources, consider joining our
online financial Bible Study.
http://affluentinvestor.com/2016/03/what-does-the-bible-have-to-say-about-socialism/
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