Capitalism vs. Socialism

Socialism is alive, well, and growing in the United States. What is it? What should the Christian response to Socialism be? What does the Bible teach about Socialism?

Socialism and Capitalism are opposites.

Socialism is an economic system whereby the means of producing and distributing goods are owned collectively or by a centralized government. It is also an intermediate stage between Capitalism and communism. Socialism leads to more government control and restricted personal liberties.

Advocates often disguise Socialism using different names, such as “critical race theory,” “gender theory,” and even “decolonization.”  Most older citizens who are aware of the history of Socialism reject it. However, young people today who do not have an adequate education in history seem inclined to embrace it.

Some countries recognized as socialist are Venezuela, India, Columbia, Mexico, and many others.

Some Communist countries are China, North Korea, Cuba, Vietnam, and Laos. The more a country embraces Socialism and then communism, the more repressive the country.

In an article titled “Three Nations That Tried Socialism and Rejected It” from the Heritage Foundation, there were three basic conclusions:

1. Israel, India, and the United Kingdom all adopted Socialism as an economic model following World War II.
2. Socialism is guilty of a fatal conceit: It believes its system can make better decisions for the people than they can for themselves.
3. Socialism has failed in every country in which it has been tried.

Capitalism is an economic system whereby the means of production and distribution of goods are privately or corporately owned. It is based on private property rights. It develops and grows through accumulating and reinvesting profits earned in a free market. Individual initiative, creativity, and ingenuity are highly encouraged and are a driving force behind new inventions, innovations, and new industries. It generally supports personal freedom.

Capitalism has been a primary influence in making the United States an economic leader globally. Along with America’s prosperity, there has been freedom, which few other nations have experienced. Perhaps the most notable freedoms have been freedom of religion, speech, press, and the right to assemble to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Several countries, including the United States, have a mix of Capitalism and Socialism. The United States is capitalist, yet some programs could be considered socialist. Social Security, minimum wages, energy subsidies, and various welfare programs are among them.

Perhaps one way to identify a socialist politician is by the proposed giveaways: For example, free college education, welfare and medicare benefits to illegals, and welfare benefits to able-bodied individuals who refuse to work. There are always two sides to giveaways. The government has to take money away from other people through increased taxes to give freebies.

But where does the Bible stand on some of these issues?

 Private Property:  Moses gave property to individuals in dividing the Promised Land. “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Unto these the land shall be divided for an inheritance according to the number of names  To many thou shalt give the more inheritance, and to few, thou shalt give the less inheritance: to every one shall his inheritance be given according to those that were numbered of him.”.( Numbers 26:52-54).

The Israelites were not to meddle with the property of the children of Esau because God had given them that land. “Meddle not with them; for I will not give you of their land, no, not so much as a foot breadth; because I have given mount Seir unto Esau for a possession.” (Deuteronomy 2:5).

 Don’t remove the landmarks. “Thou shalt not remove thy neighbors landmark, which they of old time have set in thine inheritance, which thou shalt inherit in the land that the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it.” (Deuteronomy 19:14)

Early Christians with land or houses sold them to give to those in need. (Acts 4:34)

Welfare:  The Bible has much to say about helping the needy. But it also gives some guidelines on how this should be done.

Charitable giving for those in need should be voluntary and motivated by love. It was not forced giving via government taxation. The occasion in Acts 4:32-37 when believers sold property to give to those in need was motivated by love, not a specific command. There were many new believers in Jerusalem from many other countries (Acts 2:5-11). As they remained in Jerusalem for a time, they had many needs. Other believers, motivated by love, gave to meet the needs. Barnabas sold land and brought the entire sale price to give to those in need. It appears that many learned of his gift and honored Barnabas. Ananias and Sapphira, motivated by a desire for recognition, also sold a possession and pretended to give the entire sale price but held back part of the money. They did not die because they did not donate enough. They died because of their lie, pretending to give all.

This story in Acts 4 is not an example of Christian Socialism or Communism. It was voluntary. It was motivated by love. And it was not a continued repeated action of the Jerusalem church or other churches. There are different stories in Acts of believers giving, but not like this.

Paul taught the early churches to be careful about giving to needy people. Not all people qualified for aid from the church or other Christians. Note the following verses.

1. Able-bodied people who would not work were excluded from charity. “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.” (2 Thessalonians 3:10).
2. The converted thief was commanded, “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.” (Ephesians 4:28).
3. A widow had to be qualified to receive aid from the church. She had to be 60 years or older, a godly woman who had served others, and a woman without relatives to help her. The first responsibility for assisting a widow rested with her own family. (1 Timothy 5:8-16).

In this election year, be careful and think clearly.

1. Be wary of those politicians who promise “freebies.” They plan to use other people’s money (taxes) to give the freebie. It is sad to say that some politicians of both parties are happy to give away other people’s money.
2. Be wary of those politicians who want to make everyone equal. They take away from the hard workers to give money to the lazy. After a while, the hard worker concludes that he will not continue working hard, only to have the government confiscate his money to give to those who will not work.  (There are many who genuinely need help and are worthy of help, but not the lazy.)
3. There are very few American politicians who will claim to be a Socialist. However, they will advocate Socialist ideas and programs and use some other name to disguise them.
4. Consider carefully before you vote. There are also many other important issues beside socialism.  They include the economy,  borders, Israel, abortion, the Second Amendment, the dollar, Nationalism, Taxes, freedom of speech, freedom of  religion, transgenderism, government spending, crime, and military strength.
5. ABOVE ALL ELSE, PRAY, STUDY THE BIBLE, AND GET GOD’S GUIDANCE FOR VOTING!