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IS CHRISTIANITY SOCIALISTIC/COMMUNISTIC?

Many reading the early chapters of the Book of Acts in the New Testament have contended that the early church was socialistic concerning ownership and possessions. Acts 4:32 is especially used. Note what it says, "And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and soul: and not one of them said that aught of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common" (ASV, italics mine, ER). On the surface, it would be easy to come to that conclusion without further consideration. We do need to understand that at Pentecost (Acts 1-2) there were many Jews in Jerusalem for the feast, and when they became Christians undoubtedly needed help, that is, they couldn't just pull out their American Express card and buy their food, lodging, etc. 

To show that there was no intention of making this a permanent requirement, when a man and his wife sold a property and lied about the price received, Peter said, "While it remained, did it not remain thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thy power? How is it that thou hast conceived this thing in thy heart? thou has not lied unto men, but unto God" (Acts 5:4, italics mine, ER). There is absolutely no evidence that the Bible teaches against private ownership of property, rather the opposite. We do understand that the generosity of Christians when their brethren were in need was monumental, even to the extent of selling property and giving the proceeds to the care of Christians. However, it has been shown in recent years, that liberals (those inclined toward socialism like our present president and majority of congress) are far less generous to charity than conservatives, especially "Christian" conservatives! 

Even our early colonies tried socialism that is, no private ownership of land and goods produced. Guess what? They nearly starved because there was no incentive to work! Robert Owen (1771-1858) was a famous British atheist and socialist. Attaining wealth, in 1825 he purchased a community called New Harmony, Indiana, and brought in 900 talented individuals for a socialist experiment. In spite of these, within three years the experiment failed, and Owen had poured most of his wealth into it. Where there is no private ownership of business and goods produced (Capitalism), there is obviously no reason to work! 

The attitude of the Bible concerning one's requirement for individual labor is easily expressed in a command by Paul in 2 Thessalonians 3:10 "For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, If any will not work, neither let him eat." There is a Rabbinical saying "He who teaches not his son a trade teaches him to steal." Concerning work, the Bible teaches that God works (Gen. 2:2). He set man in the Garden of Eden to work (Gen. 2:15). After man's fall he was to obtain his food by the "sweat of thy face" (Gen. 3:19). Jesus was a carpenter (Mark 6:3), some of the disciples were fishermen (Luke 5:10). The only exceptions to working were those who were "widows indeed" (1 Tim. 5:3, 1 Tim. 5:16), and even these gleaned the fields after harvest if they were physically able. Those who can, and refuse to work, are simply not Christian! And in fact, it has been shown that the welfare state is disruptive to families, and will ultimately destroy the nuclear family.
 
Edward L. Rodgers, edanddj@yahoo.com 



And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.


"Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God."


"For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat."


And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.


"And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it."


"In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return."


"Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him."


"And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men."


Honour widows that are widows indeed.


"If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed."