Is Socialism biblical?

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Jesus4ever

Senior Member
May 18, 2015
783
19
18
#1
I´ve been thinking about this subject very much. From what I´ve seen, there are different opinions about it. Some state the Socialism is biblical, other that only Capitalism is shown in the Bible. Others, say that Acts 2:44-46 supports Communism. Personally I tend to agree that Socialism is wrong and not biblical, and least of all Communism.


What´s your opinion? Do you think Socialism/Communism is biblical and/or pleases God?


God bless you!
 
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coby2

Guest
#2
Acts sounds like communism but out of free will. Since we live in a world where the church doesn't take care of all the poor, socialism is great. You just force people to not only think about themselves. Communism goes too far and makes people lazy. Why study to become a doctor and work 80 hours a week when the neighbour who hangs around and does some simple parttime job gets the same? Kapitalism is evil and selfish. All the isms are not Biblical. It's just something from the world. We have a mix between socialism and kapitalism here. When the kapitalists get the most votes the elderly and disabled and such can go to the food bank while the rich live comfortable. That's anti social.
But when you look at the real poor people in the world it's anti social anyway that the rich countries, even if they're socialist, don't share.
Giving to the poor is Biblical.
 
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Chuckt

Guest
#3
Acts 5:4 Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal.....


Socialism is not free will offerings or sharing and neither is communism.
 

trofimus

Senior Member
Aug 17, 2015
10,684
794
113
#5
I´ve been thinking about this subject very much. From what I´ve seen, there are different opinions about it. Some state the Socialism is biblical, other that only Capitalism is shown in the Bible. Others, say that Acts 2:44-46 supports Communism. Personally I tend to agree that Socialism is wrong and not biblical, and least of all Communism.


What´s your opinion? Do you think Socialism/Communism is biblical and/or pleases God?


God bless you!
Socialism and sharing is OK, until all are sharing and until the one who is giving has more than somebody who is only stretching hands to receive.

In some socialistic countries like Sweden (well, its almost a dictature now) you MUST give into state welfare system so much, that you cant make any real savings and must live in a whole-life dependence on government.

Biblical socialism was a free giving, they were not forced to give so much, that all are equally poor like in state socialism. And Paul said "who does not want to work let him not eat too".
That is what I would call "socialism that could actually work - biblical pattern for socialism" - to give freely as much as you want to a charity, but nothing to them who do not want to work or actively change their situation.
 
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coby2

Guest
#6
from gotquestions:

the Bible supports the notion of social justice in which concern and care are shown to the plight of the poor and afflicted (Deuteronomy 10:18;24:17;*27:19). The Bible often refers to the fatherless, the widow and the sojourner – that is, people who were not able to fend for themselves or had no support system. The nation of Israel was commanded by God to care for society’s less fortunate, and their eventual failure to do so was partly the reason for their judgment and expulsion from the land.

In Jesus’ Olivet Discourse, He mentions caring for the “least of these” (Matthew 25:40), and in James’ epistle he expounds on the nature of “true religion” (James 1:27). So, if by “social justice” we mean that society has a moral obligation to care for those less fortunate, then that is correct. God knows that, due to the fall, there will be widows, fatherless and sojourners in society, and He made provisions in the old and new covenants to care for these outcasts of society.
 

BenFTW

Senior Member
Oct 7, 2012
4,834
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#7
Socialism is theft, as it steals from those prospering. The word of God says to give but not of necessity, and socialism makes it an obligation to give. It deters people from active production as they, as in the time of Paul, will desire to just sit and eat of the pot. People selling all they have and in so doing cut off their residual income to just feed off of others. Forced giving is not right, why should a man be fined for succeeding? VVhy should a man have taken from him what is rightfully his and it be given to another, by force? The whole concept of socialism tends to try to replace God as provider, and rob men of faith.
 

hornetguy

Senior Member
Jan 18, 2016
6,945
1,561
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#8
No... socialism as a political system is not Biblical, nor Christian.

Actually, you could almost argue against it, Biblically.... 2 Thessalonians 3:10

[SUP]10 [/SUP]For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
[SUP]11 [/SUP]For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
[SUP]12 [/SUP]Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
We as Christians should help those that truly are in need, but creating a "welfare state" is not doctrinally sound.
 
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JesusIsAll

Guest
#9
Socialism, in the world system, has been largely fronted by Godless people, and government socialism isn't in any scripture formula for governement. I think you just have to look at the purveyors of socialism and how they also want to blot God out of the culture, and there's your answer to where a leftist fits into the things of God.

But another question is whether God is about social justice, and you decide for yourself. To make this shorter, look at Psalms 17 and 49. Look at these verses, also, then come to your own conclusions where God comes down on such issues. It just could be that the Lord is neither a Republican, far right wingnut you can "name and claim."

1 Samuel 2:7-8 The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up. He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD'S, and he hath set the world upon them.

Deuteronomy 8:10-19 When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee. Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day: Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein; And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied; Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint; Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end; And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day. And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish.

Deuteronomy 15:7-11 If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth. Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou givest him nought; and he cry unto the LORD against thee, and it be sin unto thee. Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because that for this thing the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto. For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.

Leviticus 19:9-10 And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest. And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather every grape of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger: I am the LORD your God.

Psalms 41:1-3 Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble. The LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies. The LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness.

Psalms 82:3-5 Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked. They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course.

Proverbs 17:5 Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.

Proverbs 21:13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.

Proverbs 22:2 The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.

Proverbs 22:9 He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.

Proverbs 22:16 He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.

Isaiah 10:1-4 Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed; To turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless! And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory? Without me they shall bow down under the prisoners, and they shall fall under the slain. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

Isaiah 41:17 When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.

Ecclesiastes 5:8-10 If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they. Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field. He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.

Zechariah 7:10 And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.

Matthew 19:24
And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

Matthew 16:26
For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Luke 12:16-21 And he spake a parable unto them, saying,
The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

Luke 6:20-26 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said,
Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets. But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep. Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.

Luke 12:15-21 And he said unto them,
Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

Matthew 6:24-25
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? ... 33-34 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

James 2:5-10 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called? If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

James 5:1-7 Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter. Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you. Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord.

Matthew 25:31-46
When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
 
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Mitspa

Guest
#10
Let me sit around and think about how to spend other peoples money... I think I will build a house I cannot afford and make other people pay for it.
 
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jennymae

Guest
#11
Let me sit around and think about how to spend other peoples money... I think I will build a house I cannot afford and make other people pay for it.
Ain't that what one Donald up in NYC does for a living?:p
 
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coby2

Guest
#13
JesusisAll:
Socialism, in the world system, has been largely fronted by Godless people, and government socialism isn't in any scripture formula for governement. I think you just have to look at the purveyors of socialism and how they also want to blot God out of the culture, and there's your answer to where a leftist fits into the things of God


That's in America. In Holland we also have socialist parties like that who are against Israel, pro abortion and such, but the real (there's also a big fake one) christian party we have is socialist.
 

Jesus4ever

Senior Member
May 18, 2015
783
19
18
#14
Acts sounds like communism but out of free will. Since we live in a world where the church doesn't take care of all the poor, socialism is great. You just force people to not only think about themselves. Communism goes too far and makes people lazy. Why study to become a doctor and work 80 hours a week when the neighbour who hangs around and does some simple parttime job gets the same? Kapitalism is evil and selfish. All the isms are not Biblical. It's just something from the world. We have a mix between socialism and kapitalism here. When the kapitalists get the most votes the elderly and disabled and such can go to the food bank while the rich live comfortable. That's anti social.
But when you look at the real poor people in the world it's anti social anyway that the rich countries, even if they're socialist, don't share.
Giving to the poor is Biblical.


And doesn´t Socialism promote laziness too? When you expect the state to support your needs...! We´re both European, sister. I guess we know well what´s Socialism all about. :) You´d be surprised to see how many people live at the expense of at the state, without doing anything, or just for being from ethnically "needy".


I beg to differ again. Men is evil and selfish, not capitalism. In my opinion, Capitalism is more just and freer than Socialism or Communism.

On this we agree, brother! But we must do it to serve God and by our initiative, not by coercion. There´s no morality in Socialism or Communism. You are forced, on the penalty of being punished, if you do not give your money to help others. Plus, what´s your, it´s yours. Private property is clearly biblical. You should pay your taxes and give to God what you want (in this case, serving Him by helping the needed).
 

Angela53510

Senior Member
Jan 24, 2011
11,784
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#15
First, socialism and communism are NOT the same thing! Not even close.

Canada has a mixed economy, which means we have social systems to help people that are paid for by taxpayers. This includes things like education, police, fire, infrastructure and roads. It also includes free health care for all. That is our highest value in the country our health care system, and Christians support this, too. I have a friend from seminary who is American, now pastoring in a small community in northern Alberta, and he thinks socialized medicine is the best thing ever. And baby bonus checks - which they seem to be doing differently these days. Even though he and his wife and children are American, he lives on a very small wage, and is eligible for the child tax benefits and monthly child benefits too. Of course, the work he does in the community is invaluable, to say nothing of his missionary and evangelical heart.

We also have a lot of free enterprise - from small businesses to large multinational corporations. They pay their share of taxes, invest in the economy, create jobs and generally the whole country benefits from private enterprise. That works well for Canada, too.

I do think we need to care for the poor and needy and that is Biblical. An "every man for himself" type of country is not Biblical. A government that only looks after the rich, by say, bailing out banks and rich corporations, but doesn't help the poor and needy, or a medical system that bankrupts people every day is not a godly system.

I always remember reading one of CS Lewis' books. He talks about socialism and the Bible - he concludes, by saying, most Americans won't agree with him, but he thinks that the Bible's ideal of a perfect society is a socialist one, and I tend to agree with him.

So the country you live in and the propaganda you hear are things which generally influence our perception of the most Biblical system of government. I prefer to live in a country that takes a little more, and know that everyone is being taken care of, because I certainly cannot with my "mite" take care of everyone!
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
16,930
3,616
113
#19
I understand what you're saying, but giving to support others should not be forced by a government. It should be a free will act of love and only to those who can't help themselves. The Church should lead the way.

First, socialism and communism are NOT the same thing! Not even close.

Canada has a mixed economy, which means we have social systems to help people that are paid for by taxpayers. This includes things like education, police, fire, infrastructure and roads. It also includes free health care for all. That is our highest value in the country our health care system, and Christians support this, too. I have a friend from seminary who is American, now pastoring in a small community in northern Alberta, and he thinks socialized medicine is the best thing ever. And baby bonus checks - which they seem to be doing differently these days. Even though he and his wife and children are American, he lives on a very small wage, and is eligible for the child tax benefits and monthly child benefits too. Of course, the work he does in the community is invaluable, to say nothing of his missionary and evangelical heart.

We also have a lot of free enterprise - from small businesses to large multinational corporations. They pay their share of taxes, invest in the economy, create jobs and generally the whole country benefits from private enterprise. That works well for Canada, too.

I do think we need to care for the poor and needy and that is Biblical. An "every man for himself" type of country is not Biblical. A government that only looks after the rich, by say, bailing out banks and rich corporations, but doesn't help the poor and needy, or a medical system that bankrupts people every day is not a godly system.

I always remember reading one of CS Lewis' books. He talks about socialism and the Bible - he concludes, by saying, most Americans won't agree with him, but he thinks that the Bible's ideal of a perfect society is a socialist one, and I tend to agree with him.

So the country you live in and the propaganda you hear are things which generally influence our perception of the most Biblical system of government. I prefer to live in a country that takes a little more, and know that everyone is being taken care of, because I certainly cannot with my "mite" take care of everyone!
 

sharkwhales

Senior Member
Jan 31, 2016
280
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#20
The only biblical gov't is Christ's monarchy, the kingdom of God.

If you try to base any human government on the bible you get a theocracy. Christ could have set up a theocracy, it's what the jews wanted a Messiah to do, take the reins and overthrow the Romans. Yet he did not. Instead he died and rose again, taking power over death and hades.

It's as if the solution to this world's problems aren't in this world. I think most focus on human gov't is misplaced. If we are functioning in God's kingdom, taking dominion and operating in the spirit realm as sons of God, then everything else falls into order. If not, it remains broken and no gov't can fix it.