Sound The Trumpet

There are some who claim socialism or even communism is a better way for America. Some even go so far as to claim Jesus was a socialist. Nothing could be farther from the truth. First, what is socialism? Dictionary.com defines socialism as a theory or system of social organization that advocates the vesting of the ownership and control of the means of production and distribution, of capital, land, etc., in the community as a whole. In America, the socialist movement is one where a few people want to confiscate the earnings of the middle class workers and use those earnings to support those who do not work or otherwise cannot support themselves. So, was Jesus a socialist? Consider this passage:

Matthew 25:14-30 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. (15) And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. (16) Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. (17) And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. (18) But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. (19) After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. (20) And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. (21) His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. (22) He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. (23) His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. (24) Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: (25) And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. (26) His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: (27) Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. (28) Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. (29) For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. (30) And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

As we consider this passage, we must consider it in the light of our own role. We are only stewards who have been trusted by the Lord to oversee His wealth on earth. With that in mind, we notice is that the man delivered his goods to his servants, each according to the servant's ability. He knew one servant was wise and could be trusted with more than the other two. He knew one servant was unwise and could not be trusted. To this one he gave the least. The second was not as wise as the first, but not as foolish as the third. His amount was between that of the first and third servants. So, likewise, the Lord knows each of our talents and abilities. To some, He will entrust more of His wealth to look after. To some, the Lord will entrust less of His wealth to oversee. When the man returned, He was anxious to see what the servants had accomplished with his wealth. Two of the servants invested their master's money and each doubled what they invested. The third hid the master's money and only returned what he had been given. Some would say that no loss is a gain, but what did the Lord say? The Lord had some harsh words for this third man. The Lord called him wicked and slothful (vs 26) and rebuked him for not investing the money. The Lord called this man an unprofitable servant and ordered him cast into outer darkness. Not only was this man unwise, he was, apparently not saved.
From this passage, the first principle we see is that the Lord wants us to be wise with what He has given us. We should invest. We should take what the Lord has given us and make it grow. In contrast, Socialism teaches that the ones who do not work, the lazy and wicked, should receive that for which they did not labor. What does the Bible say about that concept?

2 Thess 3:10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

Again, the Lord is taking a very strong stand! He is not endorsing the socialist position that everyone deserves a good bed, three hot meals and all the care they want, whether they work or not. Socialism encourages a man not to work. If he works in a socialist system, he will be only slightly better off than the man who does not work. The Bible cries out: If a man does not work, he should not eat! I would lean toward making an allowance for the one who is physically unable to work. But the majority of those collecting state-sponsored welfare are physically able to work and choosing not to work. This is a sin!
Then there are those who do not work enough.

1 Timothy 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

There are families where there is not enough income to support the family and the family is forced to rely upon the state for support. The Bible has a clear opinion of the man who fathers a family he cannot support. I would not be so bold. I would say he lacks self control or wisdom. Perhaps he does not know the Lord and does not have the benefit of guidance from the Holy Spirit of God. However, the Lord says this man is worse than an infidel. There are families where there is no father. Families where the baby-daddy (a term which sickens me for a number of reasons) spent the night with this woman this week and that woman the next. As a result, he has babies all over town. This is a shame and the children pay the price. These men should be found and forced to support their children. The women who willingly permit the abuse of their bodies to gain welfare income should be dealt with as well.
In Scripture, there is no role for the state to tend to the needs of God's children. This is God's duty. We often lose sight of just what a need is. God promises to provide two things. In 1 Tim 6, Paul instructed Timothy to be content with food and raiment. If you have a full belly and a coat for your back, you should be praising God! Anything more is a blessing. God didn't promise nice cars, cell phones, high-speed internet and cable television. God didn't even promise a dry roof over your head.
Acts 6 defines the creation of the deacon. What is the role of the deacon? The deacon is to attend to the physical needs of the widows and the truly fatherless.
One last point. Who is a child of God? God promises to provide for the child of God. This is usually met by providing the husband in the family the physical and cognitive ability to work. Is everyone who draws a breath a child of God? No. This is a popular misconception. If you see no evidence of God's provision in your life, if you are unable to find work when you look, if you find yourself defeated at every turn, perhaps you need to look inside yourself. Are you like that third man, the fool who is bound for outer darkness? Is hell waiting for you? Do you know for sure you are saved?