#9 in Proverbs / Socialism

Proverbs 22:9 CSB

9 A generous person will be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.

Proverbs 20:13 CSB

13 Don’t love sleep, or you will become poor; open your eyes, and you’ll have enough to eat.

Christian Case Against Socialism

Introduction

[Joke re: laziness] A man was at his annual medical checkup and told his doctor that he wasn’t able to do all the things around the house that he used to do. After completing the examination, he told the doctor: “Hit me with the truth. Give it to me in plain English. What’s wrong with me?” The doctor replied, “Well, in plain English, you’re lazy.” “Ok,” said the man, “now give me the medical term so I can tell my wife.”

Last week we established the Christian foundation for hard work. Hard work is Biblical because God works and He created you to work. The Bible says “if you don’t work, you shouldn’t eat.”

Today there are many people who seem be concerned about the poor and less well off who contend for a system of economics called socialism. How many of you could define socialism? I think most people have a general idea, but for us the important thing is understanding what the Bible says about it.

Does the Bible have anything to say about socialism? Isn’t socialism just a system of political and economic thought? And does the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ have any bearing on whether we should desire socialism here and now? (FCF) The sad truth is that men are corrupt and desire power, and socialism is one way politicians seek to gain power by means of corruption. But because Jesus desires that we work hard, we must reject socialism.

What is Socialism?

I don’t mean to get overly political, because a discussion on this topic could become academic, tedious, boring, and really unimportant to you in the pew. So what I want to do is describe which major facets of socialism intersect with theology and how they interact. I want to lead with this because, if you wanted to criticize me later for not treating the socialist framework more fully, I’m admitting at the outset that this is not my intent.

Socialism is a system of economics and politics promoted by Karl Marx, the famous 19th century German philosopher. Marx believed that capitalism reinforced greed among the rich and hurt the poor. One of his solutions was to advance the idea that private property should be abolished. Well, since property has to belong to someone, if it doesn’t belong to individuals, to whom should it belong? The answer is an obvious one: property, under Marx’s teaching, should belong to the government. Now this concept, for it to work, would require a government free from greed, free from corruption, and free from elitism. Once all property belongs to this virtuous government, the government would then own the means of production. Now, in this utopia, you no longer work for a paycheck so you can provide for your family. Now you work for the government, and the government “spreads the wealth” to everyone as they have need. No one has any needs, because the government meets all of our needs.

One definition offered by self-described socialists: “A political and economic theory of social organization that advocates that the means of production, distribution and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole.”

I admit this is a crude and incomplete description; nevertheless, I believe it hits the mark of truth. To Karl Marx, this was his idea of utopia, a return to the Garden of Eden...paradise.

Examples:

Social Security

Farm subsidies enable the government to take ownership in an industry in which they have no business.

Public schools

Welfare

The Corporate Bailouts of 2007-08

Individual welfare

Overtaxation (e.g., property taxes: you never really own your car, house, etc.)

Medicare/Medicaid

The Food and Drug Administration has the power to tell you what you can eat.

As former President Barack Obama told Joe “the Plumber,” “When you spread the wealth around, it’s good for everybody” (2008).

Transition: Does the Bible help us understand whether this is good or bad?

First, some caveats.

Christian should seek the welfare of their communities.

Jer 29:7

Matt 5:13-16

Christians should specifically help the poor.

Matt 19:21

Matt 25:41-46

James 2:1-6

James 2:15-16

Gal 2:10

We should be generous, not stingy.

The Christian Case Against Socialism

Effort does not correlate to value.

Socialism says that all effort is equal, and therefore all effort should receive the same pay.

US Women’s National Soccer Team

Participation trophies

Scripture teaches that you can work hard and develop expertise.

Prov 21:5, “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance.”

Diligent = effort

Plans = expertise

Both lead to abundance.

Prov 22:29, “Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.”

God ordains private property.

Prov 30:9 says it’s a sin to “steal and profane the name of my God.” Ahh, but perhaps that refers to stealing from the community?

One of the Ten Commandments says, “You shall not steal” (Exod 20:15).

God commands that we work to provide for ourselves.

Prov 28:19, “Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread...”

2 Thes 3:10, “For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.”

God commands that we rely on Him and no one else.

In the socialist vision, everyone relies on the community (i.e., government).

In the Biblical vision, everyone relies on God the Provider.

Prov 3:5, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart...

Prov 16:20, “Blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.”

Matt 6:25-33 -- “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Christ Application

I think this is the biggest problem with Socialism. We all want the poor to be taken care of. But Socialism seeks to do so in a world without God. Socialism strips man of his personal responsibility to work for his living, and it hollows out his ability to trust in God alone. And ultimately, isn’t that what Christianity really is about?

Christianity says that we fall short of God’s glory, that we don’t measure up, and that we are to be judged for our wickedness. The Gospel is that God, our Judge, has also paid the penalty of judgment on the cross in the Person of Jesus Christ. When we throw ourselves completely at His mercy, relying totally on His mercy, then we receive forgiveness from the throne of grace. In gratitude we then live a life of good works, trusting Him every day to take care of us.

But Socialism says we have another provider, the community and, eventually, the government. Have a need? No need to pray...the government will help. Hungry? Can’t pay your bills? You don’t need to trust God; give Uncle Sam a call and he’ll take care of you.