Does The Bible Teach Redistribution of Wealth?

"As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack." 2 Corinthians 8:15

I heard a preacher say this week that socialism is scripture and according to the gospel. I shouldn't be surprised as I met a man in Haiti one time who claimed he was a Christian communist. I deal with this in another blog entitled, "Does The Bible Teach Socialism." Please read that as well as we deal with many of the scriptures that prove that it DOES NOT teach socialism or the redistribution of wealth. However, after I heard him say that the redistribution of wealth or socialism is from the gospels, I was reminded of the above versees so let's deal with those.

First, Paul is talking about those who are willing to give. We see that in verse 12. "For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not." He wanted the people in Corinth to be willing to give. He also said earlier in 2 Corinthians 9:7, "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver." That is not the case with socialism. It is not voluntary but mandatory! Also, this was within the church and did not have anything to do with the Roman government. When we continue to read this passage, we'll find that the idea here is not to make everyone poorer, but to help those who are in need so that they may one day help others. This does not breed laziness nor does it put a small group of people in charge of the rest as socialism does.

The fact that preachers feel that socialism and redistribution of wealth is Biblical causes them to miss the whole spirit of the gospel and Christianity. Christ does not force himself on anyone but it is always by invitation. "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28 It does not set a few men over many but there is one Lord and God, Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. The rest are servants and even the greatest among us should be the least. "And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve." Luke 22:25-26 This type of teaching and action has never, nor will never, be a part of the government socialism that is supposed to make all happy and supply to all.

So in conclusion, yes, giving and maybe even a voluntary distribution of wealth is mentioned in the Bible, but not in the world, only in the church. It is voluntary, blessed, and done with love. This is not socialism or the world's redistribution!