"America is becoming a socialist state," I commented in a church recently. One individual asked, "What’s wrong with that?" It’s a great question. Let’s start with a definition.

Webster’s definition is a little kinder:

"Socialism, n. [Cf. F. socialisme.] A theory or system of social reform which contemplates a complete reconstruction of society, with a more just and equitable distribution of property and labor. In popular usage, the term is often employed to indicate any lawless, revolutionary social scheme. [Socialism] was first applied in England to Owens’ theory of social reconstruction, and in France to those also of St. Simon and Fourier . . . The word, however, is used with a great variety of meaning . . . even by economists and learned critics. The general tendency is to regard as socialistic any interference undertaken by society on behalf of the poor . . . radical social reform which disturbs the present system of private property. ."2

Socialism is then a radical social reformation of a society, done in the name of the poor, and leads to communism.

Dynamics of Socialism – How does it work?

The American Heritage Dictionary of Cultural Literacy gives a definition that tells how the system works:

"An economic system in which the production and distribution of goods are controlled substantially by the government rather than private enterprise, and in which cooperation rather than competition guides economic activity. There are many varieties of socialism. Some socialists tolerate capitalism, as long as the government maintains the dominant influence over the economy; others insist on an abolition of private enterprise. All communists are socialists, but not all socialists are communist."3

Let us break that down into parts so that we can understand how the system works:

The Defects of Socialism – Does it Work?

The simple answer is "NO!" Joseph Farah in World News Daily (October 27, 2008) states that when he is asked about socialism, he likes to ask a few questions:

We do, of course believe in the right to own property, and would resent anyone taking something from us. Under socialism, instead of protecting private property, the government takes it (through excess taxation, eminent domain, etc.).

As Christians, we recognize ultimately God owns everything (Psalm 24:1). We are merely stewards, but the Lord was also recognizing private property rights when He said, "Thou shalt not steal" (Exodus 20:15).

Where has socialism worked? Socialism has worked nowhere. The system always collapses.

What does the government do well? The Bible gives the state or government three responsibilities: to punish evil, to promote good, and to protect the innocent. Gary LaMar from American Vision notes:

"The Bible specifically outlines spheres of jurisdiction for the family, the church and the State. Limited and delegated power and authority are granted to each sphere. For example, the State is given specific power and authority to operate within its jurisdictional boundaries that are not given to the family or church (e.g. collect taxes, punish criminals, maintain just weights and measures, etc.). When the State enlarges its jurisdictional boundaries without any regard to limits, it gradually assumes what God alone possesses: unlimited power and authority. The State is a provider of justice, not a dispenser of sustenance. To make the State our provider, our parent, is to deny God (Deut. 8:1; Dan. 4)."4

Farah goes on to answer his other questions – but I will limit myself to briefly answering "What does the Bible teach about economics?"

The Bible gives us three legitimate ways to gain wealth:

Why doesn’t socialism work? It may look attractive, because everyone contributes to the community, and then everyone takes from the community what they need. There is just one problem – human nature.

Americans learned this lesson early in our history. When the Pilgrims came to America, their original contract with their sponsors in London required that everything they produced go into a common storehouse. Everyone was to work a common garden, put their products into a common storehouse, only take what they needed to live, and send the profits to London.

It didn’t work. Governor Bradford wrote in his Journal why it failed:

"For this community (so far as it was) was found to breed much confusion and discontent, and retard much employment that would have been to their benefit and comfort. For young men that were most able and fit for labor and service did repine that they should spend their time and strength to work for other men’s wives and children without any recompense ... that was thought injustice."

Of course it was considered unjust. When we work we expect to be paid a fair wage. So, Governor Bradford modified his economic plan. He assigned each family a plot of land to work and manage for their own benefit. He then wrote, "This had very good success, for it made all hands industrious, so as much more corn was planted than otherwise would have been."

Socialism does not work because it provides no real incentive to work hard or produce, because no matter how hard you work, you get no extra pay or reward. People stop exerting themselves and become dependent on the State. Government replaces God.

The Federal government under President Barack Obama has taken over the banking, finance, and auto industries, and is now looking at the environment and health care. Both the President and Congress continue to push our country further in debt in an attempt to buy our way out of the recession.

It won’t work – America needs to come back to God and Biblical principles. But the evidence suggests that we are moving in the opposite direction. American Christians should heed the words spoken to Israel by the prophet Jeremiah, "For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, [and] hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water" (Jeremiah 2:13).

(Endnotes)

1. 1 "Socialism", The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition, Copyright 2009, Houghton Mifflin Company. July 2, 2009. [http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary].
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3. 2 "Socialism." Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary. MICRA, Inc. 02 Jul. 2009. [Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/socialism].
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5. 3 "Socialism." The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2005. 02 Jul. 2009. [Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/socialism].
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7. 4 LaMar, American Vision News, July 1, 2009.