In this article we are going to take a look at several reasons why the teachings of Communism/Socialism/Marxism, etc go against what the bible says. I will also be touching on some other things that sort of relate to communism such as food-stamps, SSI, and public schools. So yeah, this should be very interesting.
What is Communism?
I think before we should discuss as to why Communism is wrong we first should get a proper definition of what exactly it is so here is the definition of Communism from merriam webster
1a: a system in which goods are owned in common and are available to all as needed
b: a theory advocating elimination of private property
2capitalized
a: a doctrine based on revolutionary Marxian socialism and Marxism-Leninism that was the official ideology of the U.S.S.R.
b: a totalitarian system of government in which a single authoritarian party controls state-owned means of production
c: a final stage of society in Marxist theory in which the state has withered away and economic goods are distributed equitably
d: communist systems collectively
Forbids private ownership of property
The first reason as to why Christians should not support communism is because it is a system that eliminates private property. The biblical commandment of thou shalt not steal (Exo 20:15, Rom 13:9) presupposes that we have our own property. Under communism those that work hard a forced to give all the fruit of their labor away and could be sent to jail if they don't comply.The bible stance on this is that when we give it's not done out of necessity (2 Cor 9:7).
It Negates the principle of a man reaps what he sows
It is an important biblical doctrine that we must teach our children; that a man will reap what he sows (Mat 25:16-28, 2 Cor 9:6, Gal 6:7). Under the rule of a Socialist society the lazy would get the same treatment as the diligent. This form of government promotes sloth and abundance of idleness which is wrong (Heb 6:12, Ezek 16:49), while punishing the hard worker and virtuous.This system of government cannot thrive because mankind cannot do anything against the truth only for the truth (2Cor 13:8), the scripture cannot be broken (Joh 10:35), it is inevitable, a man will reap what he sows.
It Removes the Responsibility Of the Church to help the Poor
In America there are all sorts of government assistance programs for the poor and disabled so they can get food, shelter, counseling, etc. The problem I see with this is that much of the needy will go to the government when they are in need instead of the church. It is the church's responsibility to help the poor, the sick, and the needy (Mat 25:31-46, Luk 14:13, Gal 2:10, Eph 4:28). Could it be that we a missing a lot of opportunity to bear fruit unto God by demonstrating love to these people on the count of this?
The Problem With Food-stamps
The first point that I would like to mention is that the New Testament teaches that if someone does not work they shouldn't eat (2 Thess 3:10-12). Although the government does have a program that makes individual work for their food stamps, doubtless there are many people who abuse this system and either aren't required to work or feign disability to avoid it.
It also forces people to help the poor by raising taxes, it is a moral obligation to us christians to help the needy if they come and ask of us (Jam 2:14-17, 1 Joh 3:17), but it shouldn't be illegal, again 2 Cor 9:7. It strengthens the hands of evil doers (slothful) that they don't return from their wickedness (Jere 23:14).
Communism Doesn't work in Practice
One of the beliefs of communism is Altruism which teaches that mankind's is basically good. This is one of the reasons why it doesn't work in practice. communism assumes that everybody will work very hard to provide for the needs of the community. This isn't what happens though. What happens is a few people will work very hard and the rest will work half-heartily or not at all and mooch off the ones that are doing their best. Scripture says that none are good
(Psa 14:3, Psa 53:3, Mat 7:14, Rom 3:10-12, 1Joh 5:19). Since the majority are slothful this will result in food shortages.
Atheistic Perspective
A big problem for Communism is that is has an atheistic philosophy. It teaches that our main problem is a disproportionate distribution of stuff, and that if we evenly distribute our supplies everything will be all hokey dory. This system of belief turns the government into a god figure which provides for our needs and thusly is a form of Idolatry. The bible is plain that God made the world
(Gen 1:1, Psa 14:1, Eph 3:9, Col 1:16).
Socialism In America
Although The USA is a capitalist country there are some things that our government does that resemble Communism to some respect. Since I have already covered Food stamps I needn't address that here, however there are a few more things that I need to cover.
What's Wrong With Social Security?
Nowadays virtually everyone in America over the age of 65 is on social security. While I do support the idea of helping the elderly I don't think the way our country does it fits in entirely with the biblical model. The bible teaches us to honour our parents (Exo 20:12), and also that it is good and acceptance before God to repay them (1 Tim 5:4). It even tells us that if we don't take care of those of our own we are worse than infidels (1 Tim 5:8). Therefore it is evident from scripture that the responsibility lies with the relatives to help their aged family members and not the government.
Health Insurance
This is another instance which could easily turn into another form of Socialism/Communism. Let's suppose that there was free healthcare, what would be the result. People would stop taking care of their bodies because they think that they could just go to the doctor, get a pill and fix it. As stated before a man will reap what he sows, those that sow to their flesh will reap corruption (Gal 6:8), if ye live after the flesh ye shall die (Rom 8:13).
Public Schools
For this section I want to inform the reader as to why I don't think sending your kid to public school is an option if you are a believer in Christ. All one has to do is look at the statistics of teens leaving the faith to see that parents are setting their children up for failure by sending them to public school. Here are five reasons that prove my point.
Reason #1- The bible teaches that it is the parents responsibility to teach their children and not society as a whole (Deut 4:9, Deut 6:7, Eph 6:4).
Reason #2- The Gay & Trans agenda influence; children from a young age are being taught that sexual perversion is ok and acceptable, but what saith scripture (Rom 1:26-27)?
Reason #3-Evolution doctrine; Since God/Prayer was taken out of school in the sixties and evolution has been pushed on our youth the statistics of many bad behaviors has skyrocketed.
Reason #4- They will Pick up on covetousness (consumerism) and profanity.
(Psa 10:3, Luk 12:15, Col 3:5, Psa 59:12, Eph 4:29, Jam 1:26)
Reason#5- Promotes Idolatry by having kids trust in the government for provision and safety (in this case education). The bible declares a curse on those that put their trust in man and in who's heart departs from God (Jer 17:5).
To sum this section up I will just say that a couple of hours in sunday school can't compete with the 35-40 hrs plus of public school, daycare, and after school activities. Not including what they may see on Tv/Tablets, videogames and magazines. This constant exposure to ungodliness will corrupt your child's character. Pro 22:6 shows us that behaviour is set at a young age. It is unwise to have them at such an impressionable age around such wickedness and lies (Psa 1:1-2, Pro 13:20, 2Cor 6:14-17).
Addressing bible passages that seem to promote Communism.
There are some people who may try and use certain passages of scripture to say that the bible supports the idea of communism. The will reference Luke 18:22, Act 2:44-45, and Act 4:32-35 to support their case. I will briefly give an explanation of why these verses don't support communism and leave some links below that contain perhaps a more thorough explanation for some of these passages.
For the verses in Luke 18 where Jesus tells the man to sell all he has and give to the poor, this isn't to be taken as a command for all christians to relinquish all rights to personal property. I believe that this is a passage condemning Idolatry because the man was unwilling to part with his possessions for God. It is evident from the next chapter in Luk 19:8-9 that one doesn't have to get rid of all he has to be saved because Zacchaeus only gave half of his belongs away and still was saved.
In regards to the book of Acts chapters 2 & 4; it indeed says that the believers had all things common and tells us that they didn't treat their possessions as their own. But this verse can't be used to support communism. Why is that? Because these people were not being forced to act this way, it was voluntary; they were of one heart and one soul (Act 4:32), believers are supposed to be of one mind (2 Cor 13:11, Php 1:27, Php 2:2, 1Pe 3:8). However not everyone is Christian and they should not be forced to share their property, to desire for them to do so is covetousness (Deu 5:21, Heb 13:5). Again, christians are instructed to give as they purpose in their heart, this must be done out of love and not under force, how else can they receive a reward in heaven from God for doing so?
For the verses in Luke 18 where Jesus tells the man to sell all he has and give to the poor, this isn't to be taken as a command for all christians to relinquish all rights to personal property. I believe that this is a passage condemning Idolatry because the man was unwilling to part with his possessions for God. It is evident from the next chapter in Luk 19:8-9 that one doesn't have to get rid of all he has to be saved because Zacchaeus only gave half of his belongs away and still was saved.
In regards to the book of Acts chapters 2 & 4; it indeed says that the believers had all things common and tells us that they didn't treat their possessions as their own. But this verse can't be used to support communism. Why is that? Because these people were not being forced to act this way, it was voluntary; they were of one heart and one soul (Act 4:32), believers are supposed to be of one mind (2 Cor 13:11, Php 1:27, Php 2:2, 1Pe 3:8). However not everyone is Christian and they should not be forced to share their property, to desire for them to do so is covetousness (Deu 5:21, Heb 13:5). Again, christians are instructed to give as they purpose in their heart, this must be done out of love and not under force, how else can they receive a reward in heaven from God for doing so?
In conclusion we see that communism isn't supported by scripture and therefore those that call themselves christian should not support it's teachings such as the abolition of personal property, and elimination of personal responsibility in regard to our family, children, the poor and the disabled.
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/communism
https://www.gty.org/library/bibleqnas-library/QA0055/is-communism-biblical
https://www.gotquestions.org/communism-Bible.html
https://www.kidsofcourage.com/?p=1290
https://www.christianpost.com/news/5-reasons-socialism-is-not-christian-opinion.html
https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/how-should-christians-think-about-socialism
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