How Is Socialism Unbiblical?

I’ve seen this question raised numerous times on several platforms over the last months. Many people, particularly millennials (who are disillusioned with what they perceive to be the greed of corporate America) are wondering why socialism isn’t more received by Christians and the church. The straightforward question that I've seen posed is: How is Socialism unbiblical? 

I’d like to take a few moments and answer that question.

After the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2, the New Testament Church begins. Listen to Luke's account of what it looked like:

"And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved." (italics mine)

This particular scripture is often cited by those who are advocating for Socialism and attempting to come up with a biblical defense for this worldview. The thought is: No one was concerned with holding on to what was their's. They gave freely to one another. And engrained in that very thought is actually the explanation as to why Socialism is in fact not biblical or Christian. Let me explain.

In Socialism, the government takes from everyone. But the taking is not equal. The more you earn, work for, own and possess, the more they take from you. That said, they also take from the poor. Then the government "redistributes" equal amounts of wealth among all the people. At least, that's what they would like you to believe. Here's where this is not only fundamentally wrong, but clearly unbiblical and unChristian.

Socialism makes earthly wealth the greatest good. Julie Roys, in her article Why Socialism is Not Christian, she lays out this fundamental understanding: "To socialists, all that really exists is the material world. In fact, Karl Marx, the father of socialism/communism, invented the notion of dialectical materialism — the belief that matter contains a creative power within itself. This enabled Marx to eliminate the need for a creator, essentially erasing the existence of anything non-material. To socialists, suffering is caused by the unequal distribution of stuff — and salvation is achieved by the re-distribution of stuff. There's no acknowledgment of spiritual issues. There's just an assumption that if everyone is given equal stuff, all the problems in society will somehow dissolve."

"This worldview contradicts Christianity, which affirms the existence of both a material and a non-material world — and teaches that mankind's greatest problems are spiritual. The Bible says the cause of suffering is sin and salvation is found in the cross of Christ, which liberates us from sin. Because of sin, though, there will always be inequalities in wealth."

Bernie Sanders is a leading proponent of this ideology in today's society. He once posted on social media: “Let us wage a moral and political war against the billionaires and corporate leaders on Wall Street and elsewhere, whose policies and greed are destroying the middle class of America.” Here, Sanders is mimicking Karl Marx, who viewed history as a series of class struggles between the rich and the poor – and advocated overthrowing the ruling class. This is in no way biblical or Christian. Jesus told the Rich Young Ruler, "Go sell all you have and then come follow me." Jesus wasn't about seeing classes toppled, but transformed.

The Lord's response to the inequalities among us is for His Spirit-filled people to care about, give to, and carry the burdens of those around them "as any has need." Speaking in practical terms, if the government takes all my money to "redistribute" it as they see fit, I am robbed of the opportunity and the privilege of living generously. Socialism is actually completely opposed to a life of generosity. And in that way, it robs people of exercising that spiritual gift and obeying that biblical command.

As Roys points out in her article, there are many more reasons why we can clearly call Socialism an unbiblical worldview and ideology. She explains that Socialism punishes virtue, it endorses stealing, it encourages envy and class warfare, and it subversively attempts to undermine (and ultimately destroy) marriages and families. While I know these claims may sound extreme, there's a reason for that: they are. And this is because the end result of Socialism is extreme as well. The logical conclusion of Socialism is Communism. The end result is always mass poverty and authoritarian power. The exact opposite of what it says it advocates.

Aristotle once remarked, “Men start revolutionary changes for reasons connected with their private lives.” If you look closer and dig deeper, you will almost always find that those advocating for Socialism are not only hungry for power, but are themselves hoarding wealth. Karl Marx was a financially irresponsible sponge, who took from others for most of his adult life. Bernie Sanders owns 3 homes and is said to be "worth" over $2 million. You can argue that that's not nearly as wealthy as many other ideologues or politicians. That may be true. But most of those other politicians are not suggesting that they have a right to take what's yours and give it to me as they see fit.

The Bible makes it very clear that Socialism is not the way of Christ. And history, economics, and good sense make it very clear that Socialism is a dead end path to misery and authoritarianism. Here are some thoughts and quotes from some folks who are smarter than me.

"Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery." – Winston Churchill

"The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other peoples’ money." – Margaret Thatcher

"A socialist is someone who has read Lenin and Marx. An anti-socialist is someone who understands Lenin and Marx." – Ronald Reagan

"Democracy and socialism have nothing in common but one word, equality. But notice the difference: while democracy seeks equality in liberty, socialism seeks equality in restraint and servitude." – Alexis de Tocqueville

"The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of blessings; the inherent virtue of socialism is the equal sharing of miseries." – Winston Churchill