Does Christianity, and namely the early church, point towards communism as the most “Christian” economic structure? Some Christian thinkers have pointed towards passages like the following to provide a basis for claiming that a type of communal existence is the highest calling for God’s people. Before answering this question, let us dig into the scriptures in dispute:
“All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.” (Acts 2:44-46)
“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. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.” (Acts 4:32-35)
“Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, as it is written: “He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little.” (2 Cor. 8:13-14)
“Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” (Matt. 19:21)
Are all of these passages pointing towards communism (at least in some form or another)? “All the believers were together and had everything in common…No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had…Then there will be equality…go, sell your possessions.” Surely this has to point somewhere different than capitalistic America? I think it does. However, I do not believe it points towards communism.
The first step in unpacking these passages is to note the word “need“. Both passages from Acts state that the redistribution of wealth and propery was for anyone who had need. The passage from Corinthians carries a similar idea–one’s plenty is to cover the other’s need. Even Jesus’ command to sell everything is followed by the command to give it to the poor (or those in need). It must be understood that the primary motivation for these radical economic actions was not redistribution in and of itself, but instead was to cover any need that might exist.
The “equality” Paul speaks of in Corinthians was not equality for equality’s sake, but addressing that one part of the body of Christ had great need, while another part had plenty. The motivation is driven by the recipient’s need not the giver’s necessity for self-denial or redistribution. Not to be “hard pressed” because this is the best or holiest way, but to meet a real and tangible need of the fellow saints (who would be obligated to return the favor if roles become reversed).
The heart of these passages is that Christians with the means to meet needs of other believers have an obligation to do so. Nowhere is this idea more clearly stated than in 1 John: “But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?” (3:17) Simply put: if the love of God is within us, we must meet the needs of our brothers and sisters if we have the means to do so.
I do not believe these verses support a call to communism. Instead, it calls us to a heightened awareness of the needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ. That we would, like the early church, eagerly lay down all we possess so that a fellow brother or sister may not be in need.
Some other arguments against a biblical mandate for communisim are as follows:
- Giving in the New Testament is voluntary (as the result of a changed heart, not a changed society).
- Money is given to support the work of the gospel and meet the needs of others not for redistributive purposes in and of themselves.
- Giving is described in scripture as a personal decision not a political decision (from the heart not the law).
- Creation itself shows an array of diversity. God makes is clear in His creative design that unity in diversity is to be the theme of life, not uniformity.
In conclusion, Christ said: “My kingdom is not of this world.” While I believe that the scriptures do not instruct us to become a communisitic society, I would not go as far as to say that communism is inherently “unchristian”. The Bible does not endorse one economic theory above another (say capitalism). Instead, we are called to be Christ-like in whatever arena we find ourselves.
Add RSS Feed
