Now another thing that that system had was the Jubilee. You've not lied to men, but to God." When I first read it, I remember just thinking, as an economist, wow, there's a lot of things going on here. So I think sometimes we assume that the systems that are the most productive are also the least compassionate, which, I think, in reality, I think just the opposite of that is true, because it's the systems that produce wealth that are able to generate the resources not only for the taxes needed for government, but also for private charity and things like that. Lawrence Reed: Oh, yeah. So we're really grateful for the chance to ask you some questions and to spell out some of these things for us in a little bit more detail. Jesus was also a Jew in the religious sense, though He had a perfect understanding of a right relationship . They have less of a welfare state, less sky-high taxation today than they had 30, 40 years ago. Nonetheless, they, generally speaking, I think it's fair to say, have decided they're willing to accept a lot more welfare state than I am or even the average American. Socialism is immoral because it is government-sanctioned theft. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. Luke 19:3 Verse Concepts Zaccheus was trying to see who Jesus was, and was unable because of the crowd, for he was small in stature. If it's money, well, we're not being Christian. It's caring. Christians can be both, but Christ was neither. And there's a criteria that He uses to make this judgment between righteous people and unrighteous people. Jesus distributed loaves and fish to everyone and then declared himself General Secretary and sent millions of people to die in the Israeli gulags - Jesus distributed the food equally, after making everyone wait in a 16-hour-long breadline. Now what I want to do is just take a few minutes to look at some of the foundational principles of how that ancient economic system functioned and see what we can learn today. And He says we're judged by what we accomplish with what He has given to us, and that means spiritually and physically. Every human being is different. Recently, we have seen the term socialist attached to anyone who is promoting policies that support social welfare programs. Through politics, Satan, has legalized, Sin:abortion, pornography, gay marriage, sex change operations, pagan holidays,Halloween, Christmas, Easter, The Church of Satan, Satan's, Theory of Evolution, love of money, greed, extreme exploitation of workers, to the point of injury and death, for profits, Capitalism is legal, the opposite of Jesus Command:freely you have received, freely give, Matthew 10:8, and help The Least of the Brethren, Matt 25:36-40!!! It is important for Christ-followers to take a step back from the easy bait we see online and instead let salt and light be what defines our words and actions. Their basic argument was that Jesus was in no way a socialist, he would have approved whole heartedly of capitalism, the Liberal Left dont know what theyre talking about, how dare you invoke the name of our pure, white, American English speaking Jesus in support of dirty socialism, taxes are evil, the government is evil, universal healthcare is evil, yada yada yada, you get the drift. Not only that if anything fell off the wagon, they had to leave it there for the poor but the poor actually had to come get it. Jesus, never campaigned, never, said, vote for me, and never will!!! It's that some majority of the people who actually voted supported politicians who delivered that. 37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles feet. You know it's interesting, when we study the life and teachings of Jesus Christ there are things that we learn about economics. So he hires workers as the start of the day and offers to pay them a day's wage. And inside this booklet, inside the study guide, are the means to help you set up a budget. And this is Matthew 25. - What more proof do you need that Jesus was a tried-and-true socialist? That's what makes all the difference in the world. - Thessalonians 3:10 I said to them, "If it is good in. What we forget we are talking about real people that are our neighbors, friends, family, and co-workers. This means there are so many ways believers can approach politics from a Christian worldview and feel we are letting our faith guide us. He doesn't say to the man in need, "Oh, well, you need to find a social worker," or, "Maybe there's a government program for you," or, "I'll drop in a word with the emperor to come back and do something for you." So Acts 4. It's the parable of the talents. And yes it can because there's a number of important principles it teaches us today. Scott Rae: So what countries would you say are predominantly socialist economies today around the world? But as I understand it, he essentially did the equivalent of giving the innkeeper his credit card, saying whatever charges he has, put it on my bill. You know if you read through the rest of this what you find out is there was a man named Barnabas who brought the money from the selling of his property and gave it to the apostles and it was an encouragement to the church. Scott Rae: But you would hold that there are certain moral principles, certain virtues that do transcend time and culture, like their generosity-. Socialists highlight descriptions in Acts of voluntary, privately orchestrated, local and temporary communalization to prescribe permanent, coerced communism under a distant, godless government. You can find out more about Amanda on her Facebook Page or follow her on Instagram. We'll start with that. Yet, it is possible to be an advocate for freedom, democracy, and even believe in a free market while supporting policies that share resources with those who may need them in our society. 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 13 But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. You know Jesus strongly teaches against greed and the oppression of the poor. If . The Bible provides a guidebook for life including politics and economics. But our goal must be the kingdom of God not accumulating things. And I want to stress this. Song of Solomon 8:7: Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away. You know what's coming in, where is it going? America has a long history of people who are willing to take great risks. Neither are markets anywhere condemned, only the sinful actions of those abusing others. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. 31 When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. You see greed and envy are spiritual issues that infect people no matter what economic status they have. I paid you what I offered, and you accepted. He compassionately put the sick and blind on Obamacare plans - One of the main reasons people believed Jesus was the Messiah was His amazing miracles of putting people on sensible ACA plans.7.) He never advocated for the government ownership of the means of production or the forcible redistribution of wealth or the central planning of an economy. - This was a powerful statement, declaring Himself to be Messiah and also really woke.8.) God gave an economic system to the ancient Israelites in the Torah. Those are the priorities. A lot of people suggest that the early church held all their possessions in common and that Ananias and Sapphira, for example [crosstalk]. It's pretty obvious, because we heard a college professor say so one time. She has most recently published a devotional, Comfort: A 30 Day Devotional Exploring God's Heart of Love for Mommas. Now here's why. 25 Bible Verses About Socialism (ESV) - RANKED - ReformedWiki I think what determines whether it's right or wrong is how you come about the wealth and what you do with it. But Jesus taught (and the early church modeled) principles very much in line with socialist thinking. They tried the 90%, 99% tax rates, and they found that that was disastrous. They've gone the other direction and found it wanting. Lawrence Reed: Exactly. They violate the eighth and tenth commandments through programs enabling recipients to avoid the fourth commandments requirement of work (Exodus 20:9). Please consider supporting the Think Biblically podcast with a year-end gift. 36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, Christ even employed capitalist principles in several teachings. Lawrence Reed: Well, because it drove the most productive people away. Article Images Copyright . I wasn't opposed to the wealthy, per se. Jesus explains the ethical priorities of economics in the Sermon on the Mount. Now that's just a few verses just plucked right out of the Sermon on the Mount. This is not a model of how governments, civil governments, are to be run. In any event, no matter what version of socialism or the degree to which you have it may be, the distinguishing feature of socialism is force. Democrats are following in His footsteps, still performing this miracle today.10.) Lawrence Reed: Yeah, good way to put it. crediting their Creator when quoting the, Christianity and Marxism share little similarity, We stand equal before Him, but not in an egalitarian sense, Government welfare is often counterproductive and un-biblical, There is nothing exploitative about profits derived by honest, free exchange. 10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe. There's more to it than this but this helps us begin to understand the ethical standards established by Jesus Christ because it's a matter of priorities. Sunday, January 5, 2020 Lawrence W. Reed Economics Charity Jesus Socialism Bernie Sanders Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Wealth Creation Leer en Espaol Yes you can run a business. 6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are Gods servants, who give their full time to governing. BIBLE VERSES ABOUT SOCIALISM - King James Bible Online Now think about that. If it's free, legitimate, voluntary, peaceful, fine. In most cases, when you have socialism, you've got some of all three. Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? I was a stranger and you took me in. Answer Socialism is a societal system in which property, natural resources, and the means of production are owned and controlled by the state rather than by individuals or private companies. And this master, this Lord, looks at him and says, "You wicked and lazy servant." Pooping Less Frequently To Save The Planet? Socialism renders workers slaves to the state. Human labels do not apply to the ways of GOD, and all that try and make them apply are deceived is fact!!! It says, "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. Its fascinating how frequently modern dilettantes re-make Christ in their image via Matthew 25. They bring it to the church. He says I'll be back later and see what you've done with it. That one is a little more puzzling, because that seems patently unfair [crosstalk] what Jesus is prescribing there. The system given to the Israelites contain numerous laws on how private businesses were to work. So if Acts 4 isn't a required model for Christian churches, is there an economic system given by God and the Bible? Helping the destitute and elderly is a Christian lifestyle. Scott Rae: So a socialist would completely level the playing field in terms of outcomes. Dr. Lawrence Reed is President Emeritus of the Foundation for Economic Freedom, having served also as professor of economics and founder of Mackinac Center for Public Policy. The Wall o' Socialist Bible Quotes | fatemeh - Patheos Our guest today is Mr. Lawrence Reed, who is the President Emeritus of the Foundation for Economic Education. It may have been easier if God gave us hard and fast rules on how to accomplish that when it comes to politics but what he does tell us is that if we seek him for wisdom, he will give it to us (James 1:5). Jesus surprised everyone when he showed up in a dusty manger and did not rise to political prominence in his lifetime. If acknowledging his divinity, dont diminish it be remaking his mission into yours. The 1st Century economy consisted mostly of hand-to-mouth subsistence agriculture, along with fishermen, small-time merchants, individual craftsmen and a tiny class of wealthy overlords. Matthew 12:50 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother." Read Chapter All Versions Mark 10:44-45 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. Christian socialism - Wikipedia Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. I would encourage them also to think long-term, because there are a lot of things you can do in the here and now for the moment that may seem to be good. 6 You have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you. The Bible prescribes impartial justice, sound money and sanctions property. "Wonderful! I believe you can better manage your finances if you pay tithes. You've got, you know, you think like electricity, gas, water, sewer, trash. Nor can voting others wealth into your coffers be supported scripturally. It's going to give them security and assuredness for their economic lives and so forth. I don't think it's quite accurate to say that you're retired, because you've got lots of projects, in particular writing projects that you're looking forward to doing over the next few years. Many of us benefitted from these sorts of policies in 2020, as millions of us have had to draw unemployment benefits when our world experienced an unprecedented halt in the ability for many to safely go to work. 40 The King will reply, I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me. And Jesus says, "Assuredly, I say to you in as much as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren you did it to me." Luke 10:30 Jesus took up this question and said, "A man was - Bible Hub He actually takes the talent away from him and gives it to the man who had 10 talents. Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 19952023 All correspondence and questions should be sent to info@ucg.org. That's what that means in English in the Old English that this was translated into. Some of my socialist friends whip out verses from the Bible to support their views. You'll never get control of your money until you know where it's going. 10 Ironclad Proofs That Jesus Was A Socialist. This misaligns incentives from the underlying goal of economics: efficient allocation of scarce resources. And he says to him, he says, "Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed, and I was afraid and went and hid your talent in the ground, and look, there you have what is yours." Should we advocate for a world that glorifies God in the here and now? Jesus Quotes - 30 Powerful Teachings and Words - Bible Study Tools Any particular strategy (high taxes and government services vs low taxes and private charity) may be good and wise and may even be somewhat inferred from other things the Bible teaches, but they are not directly commanded and therefore we cannot insist that all Christians, as a matter of conscience, follow one or the other.. We also see that He taught that it was a moral responsibility to take care of the widows and the poor. Lawrence Reed: I don't see the Bible in any way as suggesting the mere accumulation of wealth, per se, is wrong or bad. How Does the Bible Help. But if that's the purpose of your life you know, whoever has the most at the end wins, what does that mean? When Lazarus died, Jesus raised him from the dead so he could vote Democrat. Now all these principles, these three principles that we just talked about can be found in the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament. The simplest definition of socialism is that it is the responsibility of the state to control everything and attempt to create equality. So if you really want true socialism, I'm sorry, you're going to have to look at countries that frequently employ the use of force to do things even if they seem to be good things to do. We were made for Heaven and God is his perfect timing will bring judgment to our world. The Lefts emphatic opposition to intermixing church and state rarely precludes recitation of Scripture for progressive causes. Was Jesus a Socialist?: Why This Question Is Being Asked Again, and Why Can you imagine what would happen every 50 years if all credit card debt was wiped out? 46 Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.. He has actually just recently stepped down from that role. Christian communism is a theological view that the teachings of Jesus compel Christians to support religious communism.Although there is no universal agreement on the exact dates when communistic ideas and practices in Christianity began, many Christian communists argue that evidence from the Bible suggests that the first Christians, including the Apostles in the New Testament, established . In fact he describes what he had. Scott Rae is professor of Christian ethics and dean of the faculty at Talbot School of Theology. You cannot serve God and money. "Beyond Today" magazine brings you understanding of today's world and hope for the future. Thank you. That's Biola.edu/ThinkBiblically. My Canadian friends think it's morally reprehensible that so many people can be bankrupted by health care bills, but I wouldn't be thrilled.
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