Does the Bible Endorse Socialism? The Second Chapter of Acts

One of the most annoying things I hear these days is the suggestion that as Christians we should be more willing to embrace socialism and its concepts. After all, doesn’t the Bible suggest that early Christians practiced some form of socialism? The Liberals (many of whom actually believe some of the things they say) point to the second chapter of Acts to support their argument.

They particularly love verses 44-45:

All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. (NIV)

Consider also a passage from chapter 4, verses 32, 34-35:

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need. (NIV)

Sounds great, right? And honestly, I would love to have been around to experience the early church. But before we all jump on the socialism bandwagon, maybe we should read the rest of the book. (The whole book, not just Acts.)

I say this because context matters. These descriptions of the early church are not provided as a guide or a roadmap to follow. In Paul’s writings, which make up most of the New Testament, does he ever tell the people of the Christian churches to sell everything they own and share it amongst themselves? I don’t recall reading that. Jesus did tell the rich young ruler to do something similar, but that was one comment given to one specific individual in response to one specific question. In His sermons to the crowds that followed Him, I don’t recall Him ever giving this advice to the multitudes.

What else can we say about the passages in Acts?

• Not everyone sold all their lands or houses. The passage says that from time to time, meaning when it was necessary, some people sold lands or houses. (Obviously selling everything in the beginning wasn’t a requirement or none of these believers would have still had anything to sell.)
• Even in community of believers, it didn’t always work. Read the story about Ananias and Sapphira in chapter 5 if you don’t believe me. You can also read chapter 6:1-4 which describes a conflict regarding differences in Grecian Jews and Hebraic Jews, and how some widows were being overlooked in the distribution of goods and services.
• It was a temporary situation. By chapter 8, we read that the church is being scattered and there is a great persecution of believers. Already, the wonderful scenes of unity described earlier have been replaced by stories of Christians being drug from their houses and thrown into prison.
• All this sharing and giving was exclusive to believers. What was happening in Acts only involved the new Christians and not the entire community. Only those people who were willing to make the commitment to Christ were participating. Non-believers were still doing their own thing. Nobody was making them join against their will.

Which brings us to the real point. Christian charity (voluntarily given) is completely different from forced giving directed by government. In Acts, individuals were coming together to help one another out of the goodness of their hearts and in obedience to their own Christian beliefs. They weren’t doing it because the government was taxing them and giving their belongings to their neighbors. (At its most basic level, this is what makes socialism evil or immoral. Remember the commandment Thou shalt not steal? What else do you call it when people take your money or possessions against your will and give them to others?)

I want my church (And by church, I mean the people, not the building) to be compassionate and caring and willing to do whatever it takes to help people in need, but I don’t necessarily want my government to be that way. I don’t want my government to take my money and give it away to others through massive social welfare programs that are besieged with fraud and abuse. I don’t want my tax dollars used to finance organizations (Planned Parenthood, for example) that consistently act in ways that are contrary to my own values and beliefs.

The Bible makes it clear that we should be willing to help our neighbors (even love our neighbors, as ourselves), but I don’t believe the Bible ever teaches us that it is right to take away someone’s possessions and force them to share with the less fortunate. And I don’t believe that the second chapter of Acts is a Biblical endorsement of socialism!