Few passages of Scripture stir as much political controversy as Acts 2:44-45. It says, “Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.” Someone will likely tell you the Bible teaches socialism here and that the Early Church was communist. I will tell you this is a story of personal sharing, not public socialism.
We Have a Responsibility to Help Others
Socialism Replaces Almighty God With an All-Powerful Government
Biblical Principles That Oppose Socialism
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We Have a Responsibility to Help Others
Many passages of Scripture encourage us to share with those who are less fortunate. Proverbs 19:17 says, “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed” (ESV). On the other hand, the Parable of the Good Samaritan demonstrates the hypocrisy of claiming to be spiritual without tending to the needs of others. Before the Samaritan found the injured man, two religious leaders, a priest and a Levite, passed by the man without stopping. First John 3:17 questions whether such people are sincere in their faith: “Whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?”
Second Corinthians 9:6-7 says, “He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” As I commented in The Jeremiah Study Bible, "The greatest motivation to give is the desire to be involved in what God is doing. In giving, Christians experience joy as they participate in the lofty and profound work of ministry and the abundant good works of God.”
While the Bible encourages generosity, you will not find support for government-imposed redistribution of wealth anywhere in Scripture. God allocates resources for our use according to His sovereign will. Deuteronomy 8:17-18 says, “It is He who gives you power to get wealth.” And once we acquire wealth, it is still His! (Psalm 24:1) This means we are accountable before the Lord to look after our “neighbor” with whatever He gives us. God does not need the assistance of a government institution to redistribute resources—this responsibility lies with His stewards, people like you and me.
Socialism Replaces Almighty God With an All-Powerful Government
Make no mistake—socialism seeks to replace Almighty God with an all-powerful government. Marxism defies God’s authority, and it contradicts Scripture. Dr. Albert Mohler has summarized several biblical concepts that are at odds with socialist ideals:
Scripture affirms the dignity of work (Ephesians 4:28) and the fact that those who refuse to work should not eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10). The Bible clearly affirms private property (Exodus 22:7) and condemns theft (Exodus 20:15) and covetousness (Exodus 20:17). Saving (Proverbs 13:22), thrift (Proverbs 21:20), land ownership (Acts 4:34-37), and investment (Matthew 25:27) are all honored in Scripture, and the Bible teaches that the laborer is worthy of his wages (Luke 10:7). Socialism contradicts or subverts every one of these principles.1
Another way to evaluate socialism is by its bitter fruit. According to one source, Marxism was responsible for “multiple thousands dead per day over the course of a century. Even Adolph Hitler got nowhere close to that. In fact, neither did the two deadliest wars in history, World War I and II, which need to be combined and doubled to get near Communism’s butcher bill.” 2 Ideas have consequences, and socialism is a ruthless, deadly philosophy.
The Early Church’s generosity would have baffled Karl Marx. No one compelled the believers to help the poor and share what they had. No one redistributed possessions on their behalf. In Acts 2, we find a story of generosity and kindness, not governmental control.
Biblical Principles That Oppose Socialism
There is dignity in work.
Ephesians 4:28: “Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.”
Trust God’s ability to provide through the local church.
Luke 10:7: “And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house to house.”
Laziness should not be tolerated.
2 Thessalonians 3:10: “For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.”
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Scripture affirms providing for our families and saving for the future.
Proverbs 13:22: “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.”
Thrift is encouraged.
Proverbs 21:20: “There is desirable treasure, and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man squanders it.”
The Lord expects us to be wise stewards of the resources He gives us.
Matthew 25:27: “So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest.”
We have a right to protect our private property and seek restitution when stolen.
Exodus 22:7: “If a man delivers to his neighbor money or articles to keep, and it is stolen out of the man’s house, if the thief is found, he shall pay double.”
Private property is an asset that we can use to benefit God’s people.
Acts 4:34-37: “Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need. And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”
Scripture teaches us to respect the personal property of others.
Exodus 20:15: “You shall not steal.”
We should be content with what we have, even if others have more.
Exodus 20:17: “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”
Sources:
1Albert Mohler, “The Coming Socialist Storm,” Decision Magazine, January 1, 2021, https://decisionmagazine.com/albert-mohler-the-coming-socialist-storm/.
2Paul Kengor, The Devil and Karl Marx: Communism’s Long March of Death, Deception, and Infiltration, (Gastonia, NC: TAN Books, 2020), xix.