Ungodly Socialism Versus God-blessed Socialism

At the very beginning of his ministry Jesus formed a
community of followers who shared all things in common.

"May God's will be done on earth as in heaven."                       -from the Bible 

Socialism: a social and economic doctrine that calls for public rather than private ownership or control of property and natural resources. According to socialism, everything that people produce is in some sense a social product, and everyone who contributes to the production of a good is entitled to a share in it. -from the Britannica

Any mention of socialism, or of people owning things, or doing things, communally, is likely to evoke a negative reaction these days. And given some really bad examples of socialist economies in recent history, this is understandable.

For instance, many brutal anti-capitalist, communist or socialist regimes have caused untold harm and suffering, and their policies have clearly stifled motivation and creativity on the part of their citizens. The Soviet Union under Stalin, China during the Cultural Revolution and North Korea, under Kim Jong Un and Nicholas Madura's Venezuela especially come to mind. 

Other kinds of mammoth, socialist-run systems are tax-funded and dictatorially-run military forces intended by nation-states for self-defense, but which have been responsible for unimaginable death and destruction throughout history. These are far from benevolent and democratic institutions.

But there are also many exemplary forms of "socialism" that are commonly accepted as a part of industrialized democratic nations, all of which have some blend of capitalist and socialist elements. Postal service, universal public education, road and highway systems, sewage and garbage removal, public universities, departments of public health, and programs like our US social security and Medicare systems are just a few examples. 

Multitudes of non-governmental services and agencies within these societies also operate on a not-for-profit basis and for the public good. Many are faith-based organizations such as monasteries, convents, voluntary service units and an untold numbers of charitable organizations that serve the common good.

Then there are entire faith communities patterned after the miraculous and generous sharing inspired by God's Spirit on the day of Pentecost. These include Hutterite and Bruderhof communities and similar families of faith. And congregations of all faiths routinely provide mutual aid to their members and reach out with childcare and many other services to members of their community and beyond.

Even more fundamentally "socialist" are scripturally-based institutions like marriage and the family. Spouses pledge their lives and pool their fortunes in a uniquely collaborative and cooperative covenant, and in all families wealth is held in common and is used for the common good. Children are provided care regardless of their age or their ability to earn, as are any other family members in need of care in cases of illness or an accident.

But the purest example of a socialist-style paradise is, well, Paradise. None of us can imagine living in a God-governed "new heaven and a new earth" in which there would be inequalities based on some people gaining personal advantage over others. Everyone is fully committed to God and to the common good and there is no competition for power or wealth on the part of anyone.

That's heaven, and citizens of God's worldwide, heaven-ruled regime are to begin now to demonstrate ever more of that reality right here on earth.

After all, we ask for just that every time we pray the Lord's Prayer.