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Socialism Is For Wimps

Posted by: Brent James on March 12, 2008   Biblical Values •

More Americans are trusting the goodness of government to solve their problems. Christians aren’t immune from such leanings, so we are seeing examples of denominations and associations of religious leaders advocating more collaborative partnerships with government agencies. The goals are sincere, I’m sure, but there are fundamental questions we must consider. Is it right for us to look to the federal government to provide what we would otherwise receive from God’s hand? His blessing and our obedient, honest industry deliver sufficiency or abundance.

How have we transformed from a few colonial states of rugged individuals to a vast country of entitled victims? Is it the people? The laws? The extraordinary fruit of prosperity? Remember, it was the Plymouth pilgrims who embraced private land ownership, having seen the remarkable effect it had on improving their brethren’s work ethic. Free to pursue individual gain, they flourished. Our government is to restrain lawlessness, thereby maintaining an environment conducive to success.

What happens when the spirit of dependency is fostered among peoples believing the state as caretaker? It becomes entrenched and society suffocates. Nature abhors a vacuum, as does government. Create any circumstance or constituency of need, then whistle. It’ll find you. Forever seeking to sooth, pacify, and ameliorate our nation’s ills, real or imagined, it has an unequalled acuity and can hear the desperate groans of privation from across the land. Its appetite is unrestrained.

Who then, is responsible for securing basic needs? You are. That’s it. Christian churches are to support those in adverse (according to Scripture) circumstances, caring for orphans, widows, and the destitute (that excludes able-bodied slackers that beg for cash).

“All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.” Proverbs 14:23

“If a man will not work, he shall not eat.” 2 Thessalonians 3:12

This refrain is repeated as a central theme in Ecclesiastes.

“I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.” Thomas Jefferson

If any should conceive otherwise, that is, government as responsible provider, he would, in effect, be subjecting other taxpaying citizens to serve his needs. This sort of confiscatory policy is nothing short of socialism. And socialism never gave a dime to anyone that it had not stolen first from others. Only a society of private ownership can lead to certain prosperity that, in turn, gives rise to great charity.

“That government is best which governs the least, because its people discipline themselves.” Thomas Jefferson

The government cannot provide for you, so stop expecting it. Many are the warnings of such wayward thinking. It can but lead to despotism.

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