By the Way: Sharing isn’t ‘socialism,’ it’s Christ like

By Rev. Jeff Lackie on April 6, 2024.

In the readings set for the Sunday after Easter, the Revised Common Lectionary gives us this gem from the book of Acts (4:32-35).

A very succinct message about how folks understood their role as faithful followers of Jesus. They were gathered together – shaken and stirred by Christ’s resurrection; moved by the message of the apostles; growing and learning together about what it means to follow Jesus. And Acts tells us that they shared.

Shared company, responsibility, compassion and also practical, physical things. Their ideas about ownership and possessions were radically altered. And remarkably “there was not a needy person among them…” (Acts 4:34)

I bring this to our attention because we are still basking in the glow of the Easter miracle, and that might be the best time to remind the faithful that this is what it looks like to be a witness to the resurrection.

But wait, you say: common property – equal sharing – that sounds like socialism… or communism… or something else that we want no part of… Not so. It is Biblical, faithful and Christ-honouring.

We endure a lot of nonsense about how folks just need to work harder, or behave better, so that all their problems would vanish, and they too could benefit from all that capitalism seems to offer.

I call it nonsense, because it is patently untrue. What we need is a sense of shared endeavour – a common purpose, enacted for the common good. These are the things that Jesus described as being signs of the kingdom of God.

If we really do seek God’s kingdom, we might want to rethink our aversion to shared purpose and mutual responsibility. We might need to consider a more compassionate approach to charity – one that promotes well-being rather than just good feelings.

We might borrow an approach from the early church – and ignore those who would make ‘socialism’ a slur – and call it what it is: Christian Witness.