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Episode 637: Does The Bible Support Communism?
Notes:
DOES THE BIBLE REALLY SUPPORT COMMUNISM IN ACTS 4
Let us review the verses used to support the claim that the early Christians supported socialism. Is it a logical conclusion and what does it reveal about the early church?
Acts 4:32-37 NKJV 32 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.
First of all, this was a church activity not a government action. Also note that it was totally voluntary. This newly founded church of God was caught up in a first love unity session. Many of the members were from out of town. They had traveled to Jerusalem for the Holy Day and got caught up in the surprising, overwhelming power of the Holy Spirit outpouring. Nothing on this magnitude of outpouring, had ever happened before. They needed resources to remain in town so those that could, shared all or nearly all they had available.
33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. 34 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, 35 and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.
Christian sharing and brotherhood was born in a wonderful manner. Note what happened :
36 And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, 37 having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
Barnabas was praised and elevated for his loving generosity and this spawned a scheme.
Acts 5:1-4 NKJV 1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. 2 And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? 4 “While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”
Clearly this is not socialism but Christian love and charity being displayed. These verses do not support government run or enforced socialism, period.
WHY DON’T STUDENTS KNOW ABOUT ADAM SMITH & WEALTH CREATION?
Smith in his book The Wealth Of Nations 1776, explains the invisible hand of the market place. If a product has shortages the price will rise but the market will correct in time with increased production and then lower prices. The opposite is true of products in high surplus. Why doesn’t every student in the west know these basic principles? Because higher education Socialist in America have robbed of us this knowledge in their drive for power? Some recent surveys indicate that younger Americans now believe more in socialism than believe in capitalism. But the bible compliments entrepreneurship, note.
Proverbs 31:14-16 NKJV 14 She is like the merchant ships, She brings her food from afar. 15 She also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants. 16 She considers a field and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard.
The younger generation is confused by misguided education. Public schools do not teach the significance of the collapse of the Berlin Wall or the collapse of the Communist Empire which was the greatest economic failure in history. The younger generation and others are attracted to the same Utopian claims as those deceived in the twentieth century. Why the failure?
THE CORE ISSUE IS THE METHOD OF CONTROL OF PRODUCTIVE BHAVIOR
Socialism is a government run economic system, while capitalism is a market run system. Both systems are run by people. No one argues anymore that socialistic systems are as efficient as market run economies. It is obviously not the case but, younger people and intellectuals believe it is more humane. Also socialists just do not understand basic economics. Socialism is based on central planning by the government bureaucrats. This has now undermined China’s boom- look at their real estate market. Those bureaucrats at some point will have to resort to force to get people to do what the collective has decided. Force by its very nature, is a negative thing economically. Socialism is less humane than capitalism but many do not know why.
Historian Lord Acton stated profoundly that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Proverbs 14:22-24 Do they not go astray who devise evil? But mercy and truth belong to those who devise good. 23 In all labor there is profit, But idle chatter leads only to poverty. 24 The crown of the wise is their riches,.
When workers can benefit from their work they are more productive, when government removes private property they also end the incentive for hard work. Power is corrupting! Capitalism is based on voluntary persuasion. You get people to do a business deal with you based primarily on your persuading them that it is advantageous for them; not a threat of putting them in jail if they refuse. Confiscating private property as in socialism violates basic morality SO IT WILL FAIL.
Exodus 20:15-17 “You shall not steal...17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house;..nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”
Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom In the grave where you are going.
WHY DO FREE MARKETS WORK & SOCIALISM FAIL?
- A firm is either efficient or it is bankrupt. Survival of the fittest is driven by market forces. Bad products in the long run, will no longer exist. The market eliminates the incompetent.
- Competition puts downward pressure on prices. One of the strongest laws of human economic behavior is the law of supply and demand. Competition puts an inexorable downward pressure on prices. All surviving firms must learn to please their customers. Firms often lobby the government to hobble or eliminate the competition for them. The market place in a monopoly no longer forces efficiencies.
- Market forces are good for society. The abandonment of competitive market forces bring higher prices and poor service. Often socialistic governments give the right to supply a service or product to one firm or government agency and customer service suffers.
- Consumer demand directs productivity to areas of greatest need. Decisions made by millions of consumers- direct the economy toward pleasing the customers. Bureaucrats cannot predict consumer demand accurately and waste resources.
- The profit motives drives firms to please customers. Profits force producers to cater to the wants and desires of their many customers. Further, retailers work hard to please customers.
1. In the communist system no pressure exists for managers to succeed like ownership. Owners do not exists. No private property exists and therefore no motivation to take care of resources either.
2. In Communism, workers have no real incentive for productivity. If they are promised a job no matter what, why work hard? No dis-incentive against laziness.
3.The people have no right of self-resolution. People cannot make decisions FOR THEMSELVES. They cannot say ‘no’ but must take whatever the bureaucrats decide.
4.Absolute power corrupts absolutely. Joseph Stalin, a dictator of the communist empire, is the poster child for abuse of power. He killed 20 million of his own subjects to enforce his socialist dreams and goals.
5.There are too many decisions for central planning to work effectively. Bureaucrats cannot run a complex economy as well as millions of consumers. Central planning is ineffective.