Acts 4:32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul… I. THE REASONS WHICH LED THE FIRST CHRISTIANS TO FORM THEMSELVES INTO A COMMUNITY HAVING ALL THINGS COMMON. 1. From the moment of the founding of Christianity the duty of living for others was insisted on. John the Baptist said, "He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none," etc. Nor was Jesus less explicit. "Sell that ye have and give alms." "It is more blessed to give than to receive," and many other passages which embody the principle of true socialism. 2. Doubtless some would urge that Jesus set the example of founding such a communistic society — not that He required all to part with their possessions, but it would seem that He did require this of the inner circle of apostles. "Lo, we have left all and followed Thee." "Go sell that thou hast... and come follow Me." Of this community Judas was the treasurer. 3. Remember again that this took place immediately after the outpouring of the Spirit, the natural effect of which would be the kindling of an enthusiasm which would make them capable of a self-sacrifice impossible to the natural man. It is evident, too, that poverty was very rife, and the newly invigorated affections rendered it impossible for a Christian to feast while others starved. II. WHY WAS THIS SOCIALISTIC SCHEME ABANDONED? For it is evident that it did not last long, since we find it nowhere else, nor even here a few years later. The truth is experience taught them that in the existing state of society Socialism would not work. Why? Just the sinfulness and selfishness of men. For society can only prosper if men's faculties are sharpened, and their energy and industry exerted to the utmost. And it is found that only competition can supply the motive which will induce men to do their best. No doubt if men were perfectly unselfish it would be otherwise, but they are not. When a man's comfort no longer depended on his own efforts, so that even if he worked harder than others he would fare no better, the spur to exertion would be gone, and he would do less, or even nothing, and thousands would prey upon others. Even the sharp law under which we live, "If a man will not work, neither shall he eat," is evaded by idle impostors and beggars, but how indefinitely would the number of these social parasites be increased if all had a common right to the wealth of the community. And then again Socialism would give scope for fraud and dishonesty. The basis of any such scheme is that rich and poor give alike all they possess into the common fund. Selfish men, like Ananias, would seek to evade this and to live at the public expense while retaining what others had relinquished. It was this that probably broke up the scheme. III. WHY ARE THESE FACTS RECORDED? Not merely to teach that Socialism is a mistake, but that it is true as an ideal, but false as a practical system. Its essential underlying ideas are true. It is a Divine instinct which makes us long to give the same blessings to the poor which the rich possess. It is right that each should labour not only for himself but for all. And while we cannot bring all humanity into a communistic society, we must nevertheless keep the ideal of social regeneration on the basis of brotherly love ever before us. (A. M. Mackay, B. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. |
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