The Push to Have Everything in Common
There is a movement to push socialistic or communistic programs into the American way of life. It seems people from all levels of socio-economic positions are jumping on this movement without regard to the proven examples of complete failures given through history. Even the Bible shares an example of such failure.
One thing unique about the Bible is that it provides stories and examples of both the good and the bad so we can learn from those experiences. In Acts 2:44–45, we are told that, “all the believers were together and held all things in common. They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as anyone had a need.” Then, in Acts 4:32, we read, “All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.”
I have heard preachers suggest that we should all strive for this type of display of love and compassion. What those preachers fail to say is that this is an example of what not to do. By the time we get to Acts 20:1–5, Paul is now collecting money from other churches to give to the church at Jerusalem. The fact is, the believers in Jerusalem were now broke, in poverty, hungry, and with all the money dispersed to everyone, no means of recovery. In other words, they destroyed their own ability to take care of themselves by distributing everything they had to each other.
It was so bad for these believers, Paul spent time and effort in his letters and visits to other churches (Corinth, Ephesus, Rome) to raise money for those now in poverty in Jerusalem.
In a communist society, everyone that is not in leadership do have everything in common — they are stone broke, in poverty, reliant on the government dole for handouts, food, and even jobs, and are slaves to the government. There is not a single communist nation in history where this has not been the case. Why people in America would risk such a venture is bizarre as it is filled with those who are already on the government dole, are too lazy to want to work, or are too ignorant to know better. What they miss is that there will be no one left to pay for all of their handouts, everyone will now work in slave and poverty conditions, and no one will be allowed to just hold out their hand for money.
Going back to the Bible, this book is replete with examples of capitalism, free market, and investing as signs of “success.” The Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14–30 identifies the servant who buried the one talent and did nothing to invest it or grow it as bad, lazy, of no value. His talent was taken from him and given to the one who went from five talents to ten talents. Even the servant that was given only two talents was praised for doubling his investment, as well.
In Proverbs 31, addressing the character of a virtuous woman, the chapter is filled with examples of how this woman works, is industrious, makes things with her hands, sells in the marketplace, buys real estate, etc.
2 Thessalonians 3:10 reminds us that if a person is not willing to work when capable of doing so, that person should not eat. The book of Proverbs provides numerous examples of those who are lazy or idle should not eat, but those who work and care for their families are blessed (Proverbs 6:6; 13:4; 30:24–25). 1 Timothy 5:8 states, “if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
People may think that the Bible is outdated and cannot address current culture and trends. What they don’t realize is there is nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9–10), that it has all been tried before, existing in the ages before us. This is the truth. To remain willfully ignorant of the truth does not change the truth; it simply demonstrates that those who are ignorant are fools.
God has standards and He has provided us with a format for success that includes capitalism and free market. Communism and socialism are proven failures, including the example given in the Acts. As a believer, a person must be willing to work for his keep, to work to care for his family, and to work to be industrious to improve his economic and social outcome. A true follower of Christ cannot vote for or accept communism or socialism as a way of life as it is anti-Bible.
There is a responsibility to the poor, especially those who are widows and orphans, and to care for those in need who are within the House of God. That can only be done when there is work and income. No where does the Bible teach, other than by showing us its failure, that people are to have everything in common.
God has made each of us to be unique with differing gifts, differing personalities, differing skills and talents. We are to embrace those differences and, as good stewards of what He provides to us, care for others around us. Believers are never to succumb to “having all things in common” as this destroys the ability to care for others.
