I saw an article the other day (UPDATE: My blog brother, Jerry Fuhrman, pointed it out) - didn't spend much time with it when I saw its premise - but I saw a typical twisting of Christian doctrine in an attempt to "prove" that Christianity supported communism. This concept is so far from the truth that it really boggles my mind! When I see people attempting this; it truly makes me wonder if their reading comprehension skills are that poor.
Here's the usual verse I see when people try to make this argument:
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.
How about we look at that verse in close context?
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. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. 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, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.
All right, the first thing you need to notice is that the "haves" voluntarily sold lands and possessions; the government - either of the Church (the Apostles) or of Israel (the Romans or the Sanhedrin) - did not levy taxes on these people, did not "nationalize" anything, and did NOT then redistribute property and money to anyone in the "have-nots" who wanted it. You should also note that the text does not read "all who were possessors of lands or houses sold ALL of them."
So, that means that the personal property rights of each individual were respected. All through the Bible, the concept of personal property is endorsed by God Himself - take a look at the Ten Commandments. The eighth and tenth read:
You shall not steal.
You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your
neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his
ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.
You cannot steal something if it doesn't already belong to someone else: a storekeeper owns his inventory, an inventor owns his inventions, a farmer owns his land and livestock and crops, and so on. If you want to acquire these items, you must offer a fair price, or you must accept a refusal if the owner doesn't wish to sell.
Don't forget the story of Ananias and Sapphira in the next chapter of Acts:
But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. 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. 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? 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.”
Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.
Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?”
She said, “Yes, for so much.”
Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to
test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried
your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.”
Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband.
So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.
Ananias and Sapphira sold *A* possession, not ALL of their possessions. The Apostle Peter affirms their right to do as they would with their own property. Their sin was coveting the admiration of the congregation and lying to get it; it would have been perfectly acceptable for them to have only given part of their proceeds from the sale, if only they had been honest about it.
The sin of covetousness is at the root of thievery of all kinds. At its foundation, Communism is a coveting of what you do not have and do not wish to work for. It is an envy towards those who have done well, and an intent to make everyone the same (note that I did not say "equal:" Communism has nothing to do with equality) by dragging everyone down to the same level of lackluster and inert uniformity.
These men and women of the early Church saw needs within their community and stepped up to help those who needed help. Each one gave VOLUNTARILY according to their means, and those who had real needs were blessed, encouraged and supported by their Christian brothers and sisters.
Secondly, you should note that these givers brought their gains to the Church (that's called "tithing" and "Christian stewardship"), and the Church then gave it out to those who were in need. Not to those who were just sitting on their fat a**es waiting for a handout. Not to those who thought they were "entitled" to it. Not to those who had a deep concern for "social justice" and "class war."
The Church in America, for all the good things about her, has fallen terribly from her mission and purpose. We have allowed the government to usurp... Well, actually, the government hasn't "usurped" the Church's mission; we effectively sat back and GAVE the missions of mercy and helps to the government. Unfortunately, that is NOT the government's job: it is the job of the Church and of local communities of people to see others in true need and to do what they can to help these people - voluntarily.
As for those who are not in need, take a look at some of the things the Apostle Paul has to say about them:
But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.
For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.
"If anyone WILL NOT WORK, neither shall he eat." What does idleness lead to? Disorder, busybodies, laziness, selfishness, and strife, among many other things. Paul commands the Thessalonians (and also us) that we should imitate him and work so that we are not a burden to anyone and so that we may have our own bread to eat. There is no shame in needing a helping hand - in fact, it can be a blessing. Being in need can show you God's great provision for His children, and can allow others to be blessed by acting in God's character of love and generosity. But needing a helping hand is quite different from taking from others just so you can remain where you are.
There is a wonderful phrase I have heard quite often that goes well here: God loves you just as you are... But He also loves you enough to not allow you to stay there! We each have the duties and work God has set before us, and we are each in the place and time that God has ordained for us to do these works. We are not to be busybodies, coveting others' possessions or prestige, but rather to be sober and quiet, living our lives to His glory and our good. We do not need to be envying others, because we are the children of the King, and one day He will give us all things - including a new, perfect world where the presence of sin and sorrow cannot enter.
Thus, we should put aside any notion of Communistic Christianity (which is not the same thing as communal Christianity - that's another post), and work diligently for His Kingdom until He comes again.