At my church in Magdalena, I have been teaching though the book of Acts. Last Sunday, I taught on Acts 4:32- end of chapter 5. This portion of scripture talks about the early church having everything in common.
Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold Acts 4:32-34
Is this an early form of communism as some suppose? The simple answer is no. Just as Jesus was not and is not a socialist, neither were the apostles or the early church communist.
Socialism and communism are government based solutions. Both systems advocate equalizing or redistributing the wealth of those making more than the established norm. More on that later.
Scholars that study the principles of scripture outline four types of people and their economic viewpoint.
First, there is the common view of what is mine is mine and what is yours is yours. This position is neither good nor evil but we would expect to find such a person living in Sodom.
Second, there is the person that believes, “What is mine is yours and what is yours is mine.” This is a foolish position and not worth considering.
Third, there is the person who believes, “What is mine is yours, and what is yours is yours.” This was the position held by Jesus and what he taught His students. This economic philosophy believes that everyone should work for what he or she needs. Food, housing, transportation and whatever else is needed you should work and not steal.
Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. -2 Thessalonians 3:6-12
What the early church was doing was everyone creating a system that worked to supply the needs of the individual and with the surplus work to support the needs of the poor and helpless of the community.
People still had personal property, but if it was more than what was needed for that person, that person might choose to sell the property and contribute voluntarily to the needs of the community. It sounds like communism on the surface, but it is in fact very different.
The last person of the four believes, “what is mine is mine and what is yours is mine.” This person is wicked. This is the place where communism comes from. Why? Because the government acts in the place of the evil person. That person is Satan and his servants are given a piece of the action.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. -John 10:10
