Someone postulates that Christians should be socialists.
What should a true Christian think when it comes to politics?
It's not wrong to have opinions on "doubtful things." i
Acts 4:32-35 ii and Matthew 6:24 iii as well as Matthew 19:24 iv show that Christians should be socialists.
How should Christians "be socialist" among unbelievers who are not? v They should "forsake all" that they have, vi which is a matter of the "heart," vii and therefor not requiring actual disposal or distribution of property -- the possessions being given away in conscience.
- Romans 14:
1 Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things.
- Acts 4:
32 Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. 33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. 34 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35 and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.
- Matthew 6:
24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
- Matthew 19:
24 And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
- Considering Socialism is a political system for governments that rule over whole nations. ^
- Luke 14:
33 So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.
- Luke 12:
34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
[...] Matthew 6:24 is talking about the relationship between serving God or money. [...]
I guess seeing the verses as not actually having to give away anything physical is a way around things.
To give them away in your heart is to have also given them away physically. It's like a pledge to donate in a charity drive, and how you have given up the money although you haven't written the check yet. By giving away everything in my heart, I must not be concerned to lose it all later, if such is God's will.