socialism

Saturday Watchdog: Socialism Isn’t Biblical

Rick TryonLeave a comment

You know those folks who rarely, if ever, open a Bible and who openly mock Jesus, yet somehow feel qualified to lecture believers on how they should live? You know, the ones who couldn’t tell you the difference between the Mount of Olives and Mount Zion if their lives depended on it, but who know exactly what Jesus would do if he were walking the streets of twenty-first-century America.

The same ones who demand that you pay for everyone else’s problems. Tax the rich. Eat the rich. Blame the rich. And they’ll decide what “rich” means.

I call BS.

God never condemned people simply for owning property or building wealth. In fact, the commands, “Thou shalt not steal” and “Thou shalt not covet” (Exodus 20:15, 17 KJV), assume people legitimately own things. The issue isn’t ownership—it’s stewardship.

God also expects people to work. Before sin ever entered the world, even Adam had a job. Later, Paul wrote, “If any would not work, neither should he eat.” (2 Thessalonians 3:10 KJV). That’s not harsh—it’s a reminder that purpose and responsibility are woven into how God designed us.

And contrary to popular memes, the Bible doesn’t say money is evil. It says, “For the love of money is the root of all evil.” (1 Timothy 6:10 KJV). Money is a tool. It can build hospitals, feed families, fund missionaries… or become an idol. The heart determines the outcome.

When you actually read the Bible, instead of pretending you know all about what Jesus would do, you learn that biblical generosity is voluntary. When Peter confronted Ananias, he said, “Whiles it remained, was it not thine own?” (Acts 5:4 KJV). The property was his. God wants honesty and willing generosity—not compelled giving.

Socialism is the last rest stop on the road to Marxism. And “Seize the means of production” is just a clever invitation to tyranny.

Jesus never called on the Roman government to redistribute wealth. Instead, He called individuals to radical, voluntary generosity. He didn’t command the Jewish leadership to confiscate money from the people and dole it out to the needy.

Jesus commanded individuals to give to and care for those in their spheres of influence and in their communities—especially widows, orphans, and strangers—willingly and generously.

So What?

The next time you’re tempted to ask, “Who should fix this?” instead, ask, “What am I willing to do about it?”

Saturday Watchdog: Looking For Heaven… In Washington?

Rick TryonLeave a comment

Today’s headlines show two trends moving at the same time. A new Wall Street Journal/NORC poll found Americans—especially younger generations—are losing confidence in capitalism, democracy, patriotism, and even religion.

Meanwhile, other recent polling shows growing openness among many young Americans to socialist ideas, driven largely by frustration over housing costs, inequality, and the feeling that the system is stacked against them. (The Wall Street Journal)

Young people aren’t embracing socialism because they’re lazy or stupid. Most are looking around and thinking, “This system doesn’t seem to be working for me.” Rent is crushing. Homes feel impossible to buy. Trust in institutions is falling faster than your phone battery at 2%.

That’s a Real Problem

Human beings don’t stop believing in something. We simply move our hope somewhere else. For some, it’s politics. For others, money, technology, fame—or the promise that a different economic system will finally fix what’s broken.

The Bible says the deepest problem isn’t capitalism, socialism, or any other “-ism.” It’s the human heart.

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” — Matthew 6:21 (KJV)

Christians should care about poverty, injustice, and helping people in need. The Bible commands it as a matter of personal faith and obedience. But Scripture never teaches that government, markets, or political movements are the vehicles by which we are to live out our commitment to helping those in need. And they are certainly not to be the object of our faith and hope.

If your ultimate hope rests in Washington, Wall Street, or the next political revolution, you’re asking broken people to build heaven on earth. They never have and they never will. That day will come only when Jesus Christ returns as King of kings and Lord of lords.

The real revolution here and now begins with changed hearts, not with tired old socialist and utopian slogans and agendas. Changed hearts build stronger families, healthier communities, and societies marked by justice, mercy, and responsibility.

And only God can truly change hearts.

So What?

Before you put your faith in an ideology, ask yourself this: Can it change human nature? If the answer is no, keep looking.