We've been looking at Marxism/ Socialism /Communism

We've been looking at Marxism/ Socialism /Communism and the frequent, authoritative assertions from its adherents that a proper reading of the Bible supports their views. Even though, in past newsletter articles, we've seen clear statements from early, Marxist leaders that Christianity is incompatible with Marxism. And from Christian leaders that the two are incompatible. Last month, we looked at some of the common passages used to silence Christian opposition and “prove” the newer Marxist idea of compatibility. So far, the passages we've seen show no such thing, in fact, quite the opposite. But aren't there others used? I mean, Socialism is all about helping the little guy and crushing their oppressors, right? So is Christianity, right? Sounds like we'd better look at some other passages used.
The parable of the workers in the vineyard in Matthew 20: 1-16, is one of the Bible passages used by Socialists/Marxists to “show” that Jesus & Christianity support some form of Marxism. They purport that this supports equal pay & outcomes for all and is then—Marxist!
But that conclusion requires ignoring WHY Jesus told the parable in the first place! He was explaining to griping Disciples that there is ample room in Heaven. But even from a purely economic standpoint (& we all know Marxists make everything about money) the story upholds capitalist virtues, not socialist ones. When some workers complain that others were paid more, the employer rightfully defends the right of voluntary contract, private property, and, in effect, the law of supply and demand.
Matthew 6: 24 is also used to point us toward Socialism. In it, Jesus says: “You cannot serve both God and money.” The Greek actually says “mammon”, not “money”. Mammon can be defined as "earthly goods; property; riches." It refers to the things of this world that can divert our attention and love away from God to the pleasures and comforts of earthly desires. To the Socialist, the idea here is that rich people are evil & poor are virtuous, so give your stuff to them and purify yourself! A preposterous idea based on ignoring the idea that humanity is sinful. All of 'em. Except the holier-than-thou Marxist, purveyor of virtue. And a Gulag, where you belong if you resist their purity.
Romans 12:13 says “Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” Share. As in, willingly. Because God prompts different Christians to righteousness and obedience in ways that challenge them spiritually. Hospitality assumes that we own what we've worked for and give and do what benefits others for Christ, not because of government mandate or to show off. Regarding showing off, see Jesus' assessment of the rich & poor givers at the Temple in Mark 12: 41-43.
Philippians 2:3-4 “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” This, too, is a selflessness that is completely misunderstood by the Marxists because they blame a worldly system, not the sinful condition of humanity. Besides, it's noted by L.W. Reed that “more philanthropy occurs in capitalist societies than in socialist ones, and the governments of capitalist countries are constantly sending “foreign aid” to the more socialist regimes, not the other way around.”
Only once did Jesus ever command anyone to sell everything, and that was in Mark 10: 17-27, when a rich ruler inquired how he could get eternal life. Obviously, knowing the man's heart was linked more to his money than to God's idea of righteousness, Jesus told him to sell everything. The man refused and walked away. Jesus never suggested that everybody should sell everything, and he certainly never endorsed socialist, state-directed coercion to accomplish that.
The more one looks at Marxism in any form, the more we see that the all-powerful & all-knowing God is replaced by a government that thinks it's all-powerful & all-knowing, and acts like it. A replacement for the real God with an arrogant god complex of sorts.
Looking at Scripture, Jesus' primary mission was & is about eternity, not merely this temporary world. Removing sin and offering a worthwhile eternity, not taking & redistributing mere money for the few years we're here. And eternity is what we should all be focused on, too. May that be the focus of your Easter! Pastor Geoff