God Is over All things, the bible clearly states that. Socialistic societies or governments seeem to run a course that leads into the ground. Bondage ,control and lack of freedom and expression. Someone seeking the ultimate cover for power over people and their lives. These systems always go bankrupt from top to bottom. They never seem to acomplish what they say they intend to do. I think the bible teaches freedom which births capitalism. The ultimate freedom being in Christ which springs forth life creativity, growth, forward motion, an endless sea of possibilities in Him and his ways and his rule. God is over all He is the beginning and the end, His will will be acomplished, His way, by His means. He invites us to be a part of his will, and it will be done His way, but He does not force us. We have free will to choose. As we know Him more, we choose from a heart of love to serve Him and follow Him and His ways. I know that some try and compare the two socialist or capitalist, but it doesnt fit God as the bible teaches, and we cannot define Him by our man made systems. God asks us to give and share, from our heart from love, from what we have that we want to give him freely. I know this is not deep theology pastor, this is just what I believe when I hear this topic brought up. It will be Gods way in the end and through the process that leads that way, but I'm grateful He invites us in, granted He does so very powerfuly and very convincingly, but not forcefully.

The Bible teaches socialism: the early church sold all they had to give their goods to one another so no one had any lack in their life. When God gave manna, each person gathered according to their ability and shared with others so there was no lack. The Israelites were commanded not to harvest the corners of the field for the poor. Or does it?

The Bible teaches capitalism: the early church had authority over their possessions and did not have to sell them for others. Philip, the evangelist, owned his own house. He did not live in a commune. The laborer is worthy of his wage. Charitable giving is a free choice not to be mandated by government.

What do I think the Bible teaches? I think the Bible teaches captitalism over socialism. I think this system best illustrates our freedom in Christ, our freedom of conscience, and our freedom to choose the best path for our life.

I look forward to your responses...Pastor Tim

I believe that the bible teaches capitalism. In the early church, they did sell everything and give it all to the church, but the key is they gave it to the church, and not to Caesar. With capitalism, you are free to give as you please. With socialism, you give to the government by law. As pastor often says, "God loves a cheerful giver!!" and if you are forced to give so the government can decide where your money is best spent, I don't think you will be as cheerful as you would be when you are allowed to freely give to church programs, missionaries, or whatever else you feel is worth while. I may give the same amount of money to the same programs that the government would with my money, but I feel better when I made that decision. Also, when you freely give yourself, you don't have the overhead of government bureaucracy.

I have heard people and articles call God a dictator. To a degree their statement is true. But Gods rules with love, which is just and fair for all. He give us free choice. The bible teaches Gods love, Gods rule which brings forth what we call capitalism. It is an effect of Gods great wisdom. Many great benifits come out of Gods great plan for us and this world. I dont think he teaches it directly, I think it is a result of His great plan that produces many great blessings in different ways with capitalism being one of them. He was simply teaching them to look beyond themselves, and love your neighbor out of your over flow, and he also teaches us to do it with what we have now. There is freedom in love, and capitalism is simply an awesome offshoot.

I was talking to a member of my family, and they were talking about the difference between republicans and democrats. She said democrats were so much more compassionate than republicans because they believe in government programs to help the poor. I think that clearly represents the thinking of many people. A government program is compassion in action. Is it? Are you more compassionate if you support a government program to help the poor, or, if you personally help the poor through your own charitable giving? I think the Lord looks at the heart of an individual. I think it really boils down to philosophy of life. Do you think the poor are better served through government programs or private charity? Do you think wealth is created through government action or private action. I believe in personal charity and private sector capitalism. I think they both reflect the teachings of Scripture.

This is an interesting topic. I have always voted staraight ticket Republican, but listening to conservative talk radio this election got me thinking. I am less and less convinced that Christian = Republican.

The conservative viewpoint says that they care about the poor, they just prefer private sector mechanisms vs public sector (government). But it seems to me that their objections are way too loud if they really care about the poor. I would think a more subdued response would be called for. "Yes, I prefer that the needs of the poor be addressed through private means, but I am glad that at least their needs are being thought of, and an attempt is being made to help".

In the republican candidates campain this election, I was very disturbed to hear virtually nothing as far as Christian concerns; only low taxes and small government (aside from criticism of the other party candidates).

Is God a Socialist? My understanding is that Socialism is a form of government where the central government is involved in determining what benefits are given to members of its society, where capitalism takes a 'hands off' approach, and lets market forces determine that.

So, as I believe that God is involved in determining blessings to His people, God must be a Socialist.

I believe that God is a Capitalist. Matthew 25 gives at least two examples of how God expects us to take what He has given and make it work:

The ten virgins provided an example of how the wise were prepared and did not
ration their oil to those who were foolish, lest they too run out.

The men who received the talents were judged according to their ability
to use what they had to generate more for their master.

Although I believe these parables were used to explain why we must be ready for Christ's return and how we must do our part to further his kingdom, you can't ignore the underlying lesson of good stewardship over whatever wealth God has provided.
On the other hand, Socialist programs are necessary as a safety net for those who need temporary assistance. Even welfare programs are now called "Welfare to Work" or "Work First".
But I believe we have a responsiblity as Christians to do our part to help those in need as well if not moreso, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethern, ye have done it unto me."
If we are good stewards over that which God has given us, we will be in position to help those who cannot help themselves and in turn, they can reach back and help others after them. To whom much is given, much is required. We are all our brothers' keepers. Be Blessed!

I hear a lot of negatives on the radio about Socialism. I don't think that we should look to the government to provide for our needs, but to me, whether I support a govenment program depends a lot on the values the government is operating with. In other words, I see a big difference between providing a safety net for people who are truly unable to work, and providing abortions to high school girls without informing their parents.

I have been following this thread with a lot of interest for a long time and now I guess I’ll kind of just jump in. There are so many points I’d like make but I will try to stay focused on topic.

Is God a Capitalist or A Socialist…? Wow what a question. I find it odd, funny really, that there are so many Socialist propagandists that claim the Bible teaches Socialism but that there are so few, if any Socialist Christians. I’m getting ahead of myself and I’ll try to come back to this.

Anyway, I think much confusion comes from the term Socialism. The word denotes/connotes; conjures up some benign, benevolent economic system. But it seems to me, that Socialism is the economic control of the people by government. In a Socialist country, the state would be all powerful and would view itself and obviously not God as the ultimate authority. And I think not just in matters economic, but in all matters, all areas.

But wait we are talking about Socialism not Communism. I know that but please hang with me, and let me go on. The Communist Manifesto calls for economic control and also for abolishing family, marriage, nation states, private property and religion. Karl Marx referred to religion as the ‘opium of the people’. Marx also viewed man as basically just matter that could/would be shaped/formed by his environment. Diametrically opposite to the Christian view of man; that we are made in God’s image, that we have a soul and that we are responsible for our own actions. I know, I know – just bear with me a little longer.

I would submit that the Communist Manifesto is indeed a Socialist Manifesto. There, I said it. But I do, I think that they are/could be one and the same. Why? Because Frederick Engels wrote in the preface of the 1888 edition of The Communist Manifesto that it,(The Communist Manifesto), was ‘undoubtedly the most widespread, the most international production of all Socialist literature, the common platform acknowledged by millions of working men from Siberia to California’.

OK. So why didn’t they call it the Socialist Manifesto? I personally don’t know why. But, basically, Engels believed that ‘the 1847 Socialism’ was a ‘middle class movement’ and ‘their, (Marx and Engels), ‘notion from the beginning was that the emancipation of the working class must be the act of the working class itself’ and that ‘there could be no doubt as to which of the two names we must take’.

So, I guess, ‘a rose is a rose, is a rose….’ It seems to me that they are one and the same, at the heart of it all. But getting back to my first question/observation, is it possible for a Socialist/Communist to be a true Christian, my answer is no. That’s not to say though, that Socialist/Communist propagandists have spun the Scriptures so as make their ‘ism’ appear to be Christian. Just my thought anyway. But I think Marx says it best because he wrote in The Communist Manifesto, ‘Nothing is easier than to give Christian asceticism a Socialist tinge. Has not Christianity declaimed against private property, against marriage, against the state? Has it not preached in the place of these charity and poverty, celibacy, and mortification of the flesh, monastic life and Mother Church.’

So, my answer to Pastor’s question and for what it is worth. No. I don’t think that God is a Socialist/Communist.

Just my thoughts though.

Pastor I really appreciate your blog. It is really awesome. Please continue. You and the staff are in our prayers. God Bless.