Redistribution of Wealth: Is it Christian?
October 28, 2008A couple of nights ago I watched an interview with Geraldine Ferraro where she was asked about the latest Barak Obama flap regarding the “redistribution of wealth.”
Believing in the some such tenets she replied, “Christianity is the source of this idea. Early Christians and the early Church believed and taught the redistribution of wealth for the sake of the poor,” (my loose paraphrase).
I’d like to appeal to my Bachelor’s Degree in Biblical Literature and/or my Master’s Degree in Theology to refute her misunderstanding; but it does not take a biblical scholar to read Acts 2-5 and conclude that any such “redistribution of wealth” in the early Church was purely voluntary, not a requirement for membership in the Church, and not commonly practiced except by a handful of very generous Christians.
Giving and sharing certainly are Christian values and spiritual disciplines, but they were never intended for imposition on a governmental tax system or to help the poor in general—they were intended as free will offerings to help poor “believers.” If you weren’t part of the Church then you didn’t get the help—one of many reasons that people wanted to become part of the early Church.
Honestly, I have some respect for Geraldine Ferraro. Before the politicians start quoting the Bible, however, they should try reading it. And they should try knowing their political history as well.
With that being said, our responsibility as Christians toward all politicians is to pray for them and offer them our obedience and respect—whether or not they seem fit or worthy.
–Matt Summers, TH.m
Editors Note: My intent in this article was not to discuss the merits of the “Redistribution of Wealth” per se, although I am certainly opposed to such an idea. My intent was to address the theological and historical spin that it is a Christian idea. Although Jesus has much to say about helping the poor, He has nothing to say about robbing from the rich to give to the poor, or taxing the rich to give to the poor. Nothing. Those who know theology know that the “Redistribution of Wealth” is not a Christian concept. And those who know history know that it is a primary tenet of Marxism. Ferraro, and those who agree with her, simply don’t know their theology or their history; otherwise they intend to mislead their audiences. It is simply untrue to say that the “Redistribution of Wealth” is a Christian idea.
I would agree 100% that ‘redistribution of wealth’ by anyone is not a Christian idea, but rather a Christian ‘ideal’. This is evidenced by Christ’s teachings and life rather than any theology taught by man.
God is opposed to use of money or anything else for selfish and evil reasons. Say for example using tax money to fight a war on false pretenses and lies in order for oil companies to benefit. On the other hand serving and giving to the poor is applauded by God whether by governments or individuals. Taxing people is a service of the government to provide for its people, is not right or wrong. It certainly is not stealing. The money can be used for anything: to pave roads, fight unholy wars, or the help the poor. And if one wants to give it a ‘scriptural’ spin, then it isn’t even our money to begin with. Of course modern day protestant churches only seem to want to make this point when asking for money themselves.
Truth:
I “feel free” to not respond (or post) to someone who quickly and harshly judges-you made some harsh judgments about me and you do not know me. Then you offered some kind words about me, and again, you do not know me. Maybe you were wrong on both counts–but you have no way of knowing–so why chase an invisible rabbit?
I did not post your comments because they did not follow in the vein of my “About Comments” page. There is no intent to censor what you said; follow the “rules” and you will be posted. If you want to pontificate then start your own blog. If you want to advance the discussion on MY blog, then you’ll have to do it by MY guidelines. That’s how this is going to work.
-Gospel According to Matt