True Pure Socialism

The truest and purest form of socialism is found, and described, in the Bible. Specifically in the 4th chapter of Acts, verses 32 to 37.

Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. 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.

Now, what we today call socialism is a much different creature than what is described in these 5 verses of scripture because today's "socialism" is a man-made, man-controlled creation while the socialism described and enacted in the 4th chapter of Acts was a construct and creation of Holy Spirit. The purpose of the socialism described was that no one in the church would lack anything they needed.

But above and beyond that calling of Holy Spirit to ensure no one in the church lacked anything, Christ also taught us that we were to give to the poor, the orphans and the widows. In fact, the apostle Stephen was stoned because there was an uproar among the Hellenists who believed their widows were not receiving a fair share because of prejudice. Sound familiar?

Another precept that Christ taught was that if we see someone in need and we have the means to meet that need but don't, offering only the words, "go and be filled" or "go and be warm", etc., then we will suffer the wrath of God on the Day of Judgment. He also taught us that if someone asks us for something, and we have it, we are to give it, even if it's the only one in our possession. He gave the example that if someone asks for our cloak we are to give our coat, as well. If they ask us to walk with them one mile, we are to walk with them two. In other words, if someone asks for help we are to give double what they ask for.

I know I struggle with these teachings as far as putting them into practice. It's difficult, at best, to give to someone when I feel they may be scamming me, but Jesus never said we have an out if we feel they're scamming us. He simply said we are to give. In fact, the truth of the matter is, we are told that we are not responsible for it once we give, it is only our obedience to give and the rest is in God's hands.

I know many who complain about the government helping the poor in the United States. They rightly claim it's not the government's place to take care of the poor. It is, in fact, the responsibility of the church and the Christians of this nation to take care of the poor, but somewhere along the line we have dropped the ball. In fact, the loudest voices complaining about the government taking care of the poor are the church going Christians who are doing nothing at all to help the poor! I know this because at one point I was one of the loudest of the loud!!

If we truly want the government to stop taking care of the poor and needy in this nation then we need to step up to the plate and take responsibility for what Christ told us and fulfill His command to meet the needs of those who cannot meet their own needs for whatever reason. And we must do so with no strings attached and no questions asked, just as Jesus and the disciples did in those first decades of the Christian movement.