A Very Short History of Socialism in America by Chris White

  “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife or his male servant or his female servant or his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”  Ex. 20:17
It might surprise you to know that America actually started in a state of socialism.  These weren’t a bunch of godless liberals with a utopian agenda, but rather the group we know as the pilgrims who landed at Plymouth Rock in 1620.  These godly folk in their effort to form a colony that lived by the Bible felt it best (and probably prudent) to live collectively.  This meant they all built houses for one another, shared a single farm and shared all domestic chores such as wood gathering and hunting and the like.  Did it work?  No, it really didn’t.  It lead to anger towards one another because some were slack while others were not and some had a tendency to consume more than what would be considered a “fair share.”  Familiar complaints aren’t they?  Eventually their Governor William Bradford suspended the experiment and everyone was permitted to take care of their own homes and gardens which proved to be far more successful.  When people have a full stake in the outcome of their labors, they tend to be far more motivated and productive at every level.  This is not intended to be a paean of praise for capitalism (although I certainly appreciate the high standard of living it tends to promote) but rather an acknowledgement that private property is intrinsic to our humanity.  If I am not to covet my neighbor’s property it is because I am to appreciate my own and the personal blessing God has given me.  If I do not have property, I am to seek God for the opportunity and work until I do have what I need.  I should work towards having more than I need that I might have an accumulation not to covet and make an idol, but that it can a resource for sharing as the Lord directs.  What never seems to work is expecting that the labor of others will be my provision in the absence of effort or contribution on my part.  As Christians we should seek economic justice in our society but that justice should take the form of an opportunity to work and earn not a handout at everyone’s expense.  May your labors find God’s favor today!