In opposition to God, socialism forcibly takes from one and gives to another. Karl Marx wrote, “From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.” - Clint DeckerIs socialism a good government system? According to a CNBC survey, nearly 50% of younger Americans think so. Let us look at one example of a socialist program from the distant past. (Image from freepik.com)
Collectivization was a socialist policy instituted under communist Soviet Union leader, Joseph Stalin. One of his programs was “Kolkhozy” (Collective Farms), which became the nationalization of agriculture. The program forced farmers and ranchers to hand over their operations to the government, which included their land, cattle and equipment. Farmers and ranchers then switched from being owners, to employees of their operations, receiving wages from the government. They also had firm production and delivery quotas to meet. The socialist program resulted in a nationwide uprising, as citizens rejected the government’s theft of their property. In retaliation, farmers and ranchers destroyed their crops and cattle. The government responded by executing or exiling thousands of farmers and ranchers. It all caused chaos in the national food system leading to an eventual famine and starvation that killed millions of people in the Soviet Union.
Communist and socialist governments tend to promise much good to win the support of citizens but deliver something very different to the detriment of their citizens.
The Bible is the source of all truth. What does it say about socialism? Is Christianity and socialism compatible?
1. Seizing private property. According to the Bible, God created the heavens and the earth and owns everything within them. He also has commanded mankind to be good stewards of what He has given, which means to be reliable owners of all that has been entrusted to us. Consequently, God established a universal moral law stating, “You shall not steal” (Exodus 20:15), to protect private property.
In opposition to God, a key tenet of socialism is where the government seizes control or ownership of privately run key areas of society like education, the press, transportation, agriculture, technology, energy, housing or healthcare.
2. Forced distribution of wealth. According to the Bible, Jesus will one day say to His followers, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ (Matthew 25:21) This statement reveals what God values. Hard work. Productivity. Excellence. Profit. All to the best of one’s ability.
In opposition to God, socialism forcibly takes from one and gives to another. Karl Marx wrote, “From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.” Not only is this a form of theft by the government, but also disincentives how God created us. It discourages the worker from striving for a profit, knowing it will be seized, and dampens the drive to work, knowing one will receive from another, who has been forced to give.
3. A divided society. According to the Bible, “…God shows no partiality.” (Romans 2:11) Though God recognizes the natural physical needs of the poor, sick, widows, orphans and those treated unjustly—God condemns favoritism. Under His divine law, He is no respecter of persons, all will be accountable to Him.
In opposition to God, a socialist government puts people in classes and sets them in opposition to each other, deciding who is the oppressed and oppressor. The rich oppress the poor, whites oppress people of color, men oppress women and so on. And it all leads to a divided society.
Instead of encouraging the God-given natural rights of freedom in every man and woman, socialism suppresses that through government control. Instead of the government being a servant of God, as intended, they become like god.
Finally, to safeguard government control, socialists will stomp out the true gospel of Jesus that speaks the truth about sin and calls all people to repentance and faith in the living God.
A prayer for you – Lord God, I pray you will give me understanding into socialism. Help me to see it with the eyes of wisdom and discernment. Help me to see it laid down against the truth of your Word and reject the lies it teaches. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Collectivization was a socialist policy instituted under communist Soviet Union leader, Joseph Stalin. One of his programs was “Kolkhozy” (Collective Farms), which became the nationalization of agriculture. The program forced farmers and ranchers to hand over their operations to the government, which included their land, cattle and equipment. Farmers and ranchers then switched from being owners, to employees of their operations, receiving wages from the government. They also had firm production and delivery quotas to meet. The socialist program resulted in a nationwide uprising, as citizens rejected the government’s theft of their property. In retaliation, farmers and ranchers destroyed their crops and cattle. The government responded by executing or exiling thousands of farmers and ranchers. It all caused chaos in the national food system leading to an eventual famine and starvation that killed millions of people in the Soviet Union.
Communist and socialist governments tend to promise much good to win the support of citizens but deliver something very different to the detriment of their citizens.
The Bible is the source of all truth. What does it say about socialism? Is Christianity and socialism compatible?
1. Seizing private property. According to the Bible, God created the heavens and the earth and owns everything within them. He also has commanded mankind to be good stewards of what He has given, which means to be reliable owners of all that has been entrusted to us. Consequently, God established a universal moral law stating, “You shall not steal” (Exodus 20:15), to protect private property.
In opposition to God, a key tenet of socialism is where the government seizes control or ownership of privately run key areas of society like education, the press, transportation, agriculture, technology, energy, housing or healthcare.
2. Forced distribution of wealth. According to the Bible, Jesus will one day say to His followers, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ (Matthew 25:21) This statement reveals what God values. Hard work. Productivity. Excellence. Profit. All to the best of one’s ability.
In opposition to God, socialism forcibly takes from one and gives to another. Karl Marx wrote, “From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.” Not only is this a form of theft by the government, but also disincentives how God created us. It discourages the worker from striving for a profit, knowing it will be seized, and dampens the drive to work, knowing one will receive from another, who has been forced to give.
3. A divided society. According to the Bible, “…God shows no partiality.” (Romans 2:11) Though God recognizes the natural physical needs of the poor, sick, widows, orphans and those treated unjustly—God condemns favoritism. Under His divine law, He is no respecter of persons, all will be accountable to Him.
In opposition to God, a socialist government puts people in classes and sets them in opposition to each other, deciding who is the oppressed and oppressor. The rich oppress the poor, whites oppress people of color, men oppress women and so on. And it all leads to a divided society.
Instead of encouraging the God-given natural rights of freedom in every man and woman, socialism suppresses that through government control. Instead of the government being a servant of God, as intended, they become like god.
Finally, to safeguard government control, socialists will stomp out the true gospel of Jesus that speaks the truth about sin and calls all people to repentance and faith in the living God.
A prayer for you – Lord God, I pray you will give me understanding into socialism. Help me to see it with the eyes of wisdom and discernment. Help me to see it laid down against the truth of your Word and reject the lies it teaches. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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