Thinking Biblically About Socialism (Part 3)

money. You have material prosperity. Is it a blessing or is it a curse?

Well, my prayer is that we will be able to accurately answer that question on an individual

level as we conclude what has turned into a mini-series on thinking biblically about socialism.

We're really going to do a sort of a transition from thinking about socialism to thinking about

money, what the Bible teaches about money today. I want you, if you would, to go ahead and open your

Bible to 1 Timothy chapter 6. 1 Timothy chapter 6 and just leave it open until we get there

1 Timothy 6 · chapter mention 1 Timothy 6 · chapter mention

in a few more minutes. But as we go through this message, is your money, your wealth,

your material possessions, your prosperity? Has it been, is it a true blessing? Or has it been,

is it a curse? I want us to begin with a very quick overview of some of the things we've looked at the

last two weeks. And to expedite things, when we come to the section where we've looked at a lot of

different scriptures, I'm not going to show the scripture on the screen again today. I want to

encourage you to look back at the last two weeks. There's notes online. Plus, if you haven't heard

the messages, go back and listen to them because we've been trying to analyze why, how socialism is

contrary to the way God designed life to work in this world. For us to be able to provide for

ourselves and our families and even people who are in need. Let's look quickly. What is socialism?

Here's a definition. Any economic or political system based on government ownership and or control

of important businesses, methods of production, distribution of goods, etc. R.C. Sproul does a good

job putting this together. He says, socialism seeks as its premier goal, the equality of wealth and

equality of ownership within a society. To accomplish this, government must be involved in the redistribution

of wealth. Now, until recently, our nation's leaders have never considered socialism to be a desirable

or workable economic system. Throughout the history of our country, we have not had reputable,

trustworthy leaders who talked about the goodness, the value of socialism, politically or economically.

And there's good reason for that. Look at what Sproul says about the failure of this, these systems.

Virtually every significant effort aimed at improving people's standard of living invented by socialistic

or communistic theories of economics has failed miserably. In his book on ethics, Wayne Grudem has done a lot

of research on communism and socialism and how they failed various countries throughout the 20th century.

This is how he concluded his research. No matter the plan, it is not been and cannot be made to work. Now, you can verify

what both Grudem and Sproul have said here by just looking at what has happened in the last 50 to 100 years around the world.

Look at the Soviet Union. Look at the Soviet Union. Look at Cuba. Look at North Korea. Look at Venezuela.

Their communistic slash socialistic systems brought misery to their people and failure to their economy.

Nothing good, nothing productive came from those systems. I think Cal Thomas provides one of the best reasons why

socialism has never worked anywhere in the world at any time in history. He says,

perhaps the best line I have heard on the subject is from our 30th president, Calvin Coolidge. Don't expect to build up the weak

by pulling down the strong. That's exactly what socialism seeks to do. Build up the financially weak by pulling down the financially strong.

It has never been successful anywhere in the world over history. Now, there are many reasons why socialism has always failed.

But one of the main reasons is because it is contrary to God's design. How he intends human beings to take care of themselves, provide for themselves, their families, and even people in need.

So let's look now, again quickly, how is socialism contrary to God's design? What we're going to look at in these next points,

we've looked at several different passages of Scripture that I want you to go back and look at if you weren't here.

As God created human beings in His image to be stewards or managers of all that He created and owns,

here are some of the ways God has blessed us.

God gives us the privilege and responsibility of having earthly ownership of private property.

It is a part of God's design for you to work and own property.

God gives us the privilege of having earthly stuff.

That's why the Eighth Commandment says, do not steal.

Because what belongs to you, I'm supposed to leave alone.

What belongs to me, you're supposed to leave alone.

Number two, God calls us to take care of His creation and ourselves by working.

Work is a creation ordinance.

It's part of God's good creation before the fall.

God intends for our work to be fruitful or productive.

He wants us to produce something.

He wants us to create value in this world through our labor.

And then number four, God intends for us to enjoy the fruits of faithful labor as a reward.

You reap what you sow.

That's a principle of life.

A lot of times we just talk about it in a negative way.

You reap what you sow in terms of sinful things we do.

But it also applies we reap what we sow when we work productively.

Now, our God-given freedom to own property, to work productively,

to enjoy some of the fruits of our labor,

is the foundation of the economic system called free markets or capitalism.

Now, that word capitalism to a lot of liberals,

socialistic thinking people is a four-letter word.

It's an awful concept.

Socialists consider capitalism or the free market economy

to be a greedy, materialistic system

that allows some people to become wealthy

at the expense of the majority of people remaining poor.

That's not true.

That is not true historically.

It's not true in terms of how it works.

Now, certainly there are people,

there are capitalists.

Maybe some of us in this room at times,

we're greedy and we're materialistic.

It's true that some capitalists take advantage of the system

and take advantage of people.

But as a system,

it is not designed to just reward a few people

at the expense of most people.

There's nothing about a free market system

that prevents anyone

from acquiring wealth

if they'll participate and go about it the right way.

For an example,

I'm just going to use a farmer as an example.

As you think about it,

think of any other business owner

that comes to mind.

A farmer who owns land,

plants a large crop of corn,

and sells it for a considerable profit

does not force anyone

to suffer for his profit.

The truth is just the opposite.

Many people will benefit

from the successful farmer,

builder,

any kind of business person.

Think about how.

This farmer will employ other people

to help him plant,

take care of,

and harvest his crop.

This farmer will buy seed,

fertilizer,

and farm machinery

from other business owners.

And every one of those businesses

that has the seed,

the fertilizer,

and the machinery,

they employ people.

The farmer will produce food

for many,

many people

who do not have the ability

to grow the corn

for themselves.

If the farmer is a faithful Christian,

he'll give a tithe of his income

to his church,

and if his church is faithful,

they'll be about fulfilling

the great commission

that our Lord has given us,

making disciples,

teaching the word of God,

having a positive impact

in the community

through their godly character

and influence.

That's what Jesus called

being salt and light.

Also,

if this faithful farmer,

or if this farmer

is a faithful Christian,

he'll be helping other people

that God brings into his life

that he knows

and sees their need

and has the means to help.

R.C. Sproul does a great job

of pointing out

the advantages

of a free market economy,

even if a wealthy person

is an unbeliever

and greedy

and materialistic.

It's a long,

somewhat long quote.

I'm not going to put it

on the screen.

I want you to listen to this.

Sproul says,

in a free market,

even if a man

is a crass materialist,

avidly pursuing riches

out of greed,

even his greed

can work for the general welfare.

How?

Listen to what Sproul says.

Suppose a man makes

a billion dollars.

What can he do with it?

Well, he can't eat

a billion dollars worth of food.

He may hoard his money

by putting it in the bank.

Well, that just makes

society have a stronger bank

to assist other businesses

and individuals.

A stronger bank helps you

have the loan

to buy or build a house

for an example.

Sproul says,

he can waste his money

on self-gratifying extravagances.

He can buy 10 Rolls Royces,

three Learjets,

and have five plush condominiums

in Florida.

Who benefits?

The automobile industry,

the Learjet people,

and the condominium builders.

It takes people

to build Rolls Royces,

Learjets,

and condominiums.

By his lavish lifestyle,

purchasing things

he does not need,

being a materialist,

he's contributing

to the economy

by buying that stuff.

People work

and build those things.

Sproul says,

the worst thing

that can happen

to a man's money

is to be taxed

heavily

by the government.

Why?

Governments

are not producers.

They produce

no value.

I want you to think.

The farmer,

he takes the land,

the seed,

the fertilizer,

his machinery,

he produces value

in that corn crop.

If you build something,

you take those

raw materials,

you build a house

or whatever.

We've got a lot

of teachers

in our church.

You are investing

your time,

talents,

and efforts

in students.

You are helping them

learn to read,

to write,

to think,

to do math,

to become productive

members of society.

You are adding value

to the lives

of those students

every day

as a teacher.

Look around this room.

every person here,

no matter what

your work was

or is right now,

unless you work

for the government,

you provide value.

You provide something

of value

through your efforts.

Sproul says,

to be sure,

government redistributes

money,

but a terrible waste

of administrative overhead.

Government-controlled

economics,

like socialism

and communism,

are notoriously

less efficient

in raising

national standards

of living

than is the free market

of voluntary exchange

of goods

and services.

there is no

example

of socialism

or communism

raising the standards

of living

for the people

under those systems.

Sproul concludes,

Christians must work

for a free market

regulated by

just laws.

In our last two studies,

the last two weeks,

and to this point

today,

I have done

my best,

I have tried

to make it clear

that socialism

is not

just another

political

or economic system

that's being

talked about,

promoted,

proposed

today

by some politicians.

Socialism

is

an

immoral

unethical,

unbiblical

system

that helps

no one

and hurts

many.

Therefore,

Sproul is right.

Christians must

work for

a free market

regulated

by

just laws.

that is the way

God intended

life to work

in this world

with people

working,

producing,

and enjoying

the fruits

of their labor

justly

according to

the other

things that the

Bible teaches

about ethical

conduct

and the way

we treat people

and do business.

Now,

we cannot

be faithful

to Scripture

and stop

here

just thinking

about what

we've looked at

so far

about money

and material

possessions.

The Bible

is real

clear.

It is

clear

that money

and material

prosperity

can be

a blessing,

a reward

for faithful

work

and faithful

production.

But here's

where we've

got to be

real honest

and spend

some time.

The Bible's

main emphasis

concerning money

and material

prosperity

is to warn

us,

God's people,

of its dangers.

Money

and material

prosperity

are powerful

sources of

temptation

to sin

against God

and other

people.

So let's look

now at one

more question

today.

How can

money and

material

prosperity

be temptations

to sin?

Now look

at 1 Timothy

1 Timothy 6 · chapter mention

chapter 6.

Let's begin

in verse 6.

But godliness

with contentment

is great gain.

For we brought

nothing into

the world

and we cannot

take anything

out of the world.

But if we have

food and clothing

with these

we will be content.

But those

who desire

to be rich

fall into

temptation,

into a snare,

into many

senseless

and harmful

desires

that plunge

people into

ruin and

destruction.

For the love

of money

is a root

of all kinds

of evils.

It is through

this craving

that some

have wandered

away from

the faith

and pierced

themselves

with many

pangs,

many griefs,

many miseries.

Here's what

I want us to

look at now.

Wealth

can become

an obsession.

It does

become an

obsession

for some

people.

Some people

can become

so obsessed

with getting

more that

they never

reach a point

where they

have enough.

Paul stresses

the importance

of two

character qualities

that we need

to develop

and demonstrate

that will

help us

avoid becoming

obsessed

with money

or material

possessions.

It's in

verse 6.

He says,

but godliness

with contentment

is great gain.

Two character

qualities that

will help us

guard against

becoming

obsessed

with wealth,

godliness,

and contentment.

In his book,

The Practice

of Godliness,

Jerry Bridges

describes godliness

like this,

devotion to God

which results

in a life

that is pleasing

to him.

A godly person

is devoted

to God

in the sense

that they

have a true

desire,

heartfelt desire

to know God,

to love him,

to enjoy

a real

relationship

with him,

to serve him,

and to

please him.

That kind

of devotion

will cause

us more

than anything

to want to

know and do

God's will.

to want to

live our lives

in a way

that's going

to bring

a smile

to his face.

God will

truly be

first in our

lives,

not money

and not

stuff.

Now the next

one is

very important

as well.

Paul says

that godliness

will need a

great gain

when it is

accompanied

by contentment.

Chuck Swindoll

describes contentment

as an attitude

of satisfaction

and peace

within

regardless

of circumstances.

Paul described

his contentment

in the book

of Philippians

Philippians 4 · chapter mention

chapter 4.

He'd learned

to be content

when he had

plenty.

He'd learned

to be content

when he had

not enough.

When he was

in want

and when he

was having

plenty,

he was content

with the

circumstances

which he

found himself.

Now,

contentment

doesn't mean

that we blindly

accept whatever

is going on

in our lives

or in the

lives of people

around us

if there's

something we

can do to

change it,

to make it

better.

Being content

never means

that you

don't make

changes.

You just

sort of

go with the

flow.

Here in

verse 6,

Paul is

talking

specifically

about being

content

not to

be rich.

being content

to the point

that you

don't pursue

wealth

as your

ultimate goal

in life.

Now,

one reason

why we need

to focus

more on

being godly

with contentment

instead of

pursuing wealth

is because

wealth is not

going to last.

You know

that.

Wealth is

not eternal

and Paul

basically says

in verse 7,

you can't

take it with

you.

Look at

him.

For we

brought

nothing

into the

world

and we

cannot

take

anything

out of

the world.

Here's a

sobering

thought,

maybe

depressing

thought.

Has it

ever crossed

your mind

that the

day you

die,

everything

you own,

your money,

your land,

your possessions

will no

longer be

yours?

The day

you die

and because

of the

probate

and all

the kind

of stuff

I know

that happens

after death

but sometime

after you

die,

somebody

else is

going to

take

possession

of your

money,

your

possessions,

your

land.

And you

know,

we think

about some

things like

that.

One of my

hobbies is

making my

yard look

good.

I love

green,

neat

grass.

Somebody

may get

my house

and let

it grow

up and

that breaks

my heart

right now to

think about

all that

work going

down the

drain.

Not really.

I won't

care after

I'm dead.

But just

think,

all the

things that

we concern

ourselves with

about,

I'm talking

about being

obsessed,

just consumed

with money

and making

more,

with our

stuff acquiring

more.

Today's going

to come when

it's all

going to be

gone.

Isn't it

really foolish

for us to

be obsessed

with the

things of

this world?

It's important

that we care.

It's important

that we care

and work

and be

productive

and enjoy

the fruits

of our

labor.

It's like

we've been

talking about.

That matters

to God.

But we

cannot be

obsessed

with working

and producing

and having

more and more

fruit from

our labor.

Our real

obsession

should be

with developing

the godliness

and contentment

that Paul

describes at

the first of

this section

that we've

looked at.

Our real

obsession

should be

not only

that we

develop

godliness

and contentment

but teach

those we

have influence

over to be

godly and

content.

You know,

on the day

of judgment

and throughout

eternity,

that will be

all we care

about.

Now,

I'll never

think about

zoysia grass

in my yard

from the day

of judgment

on.

But I

will

be

totally

consumed

with

my relationship

with God,

being with

him,

pleasing

him

on that day

and for

all eternity.

If that's

what we

all will

wind up

doing,

if we're

going to be

obsessed with

anything,

shouldn't our

obsession be

with knowing

and loving

and drawing

closer to

and pleasing

God now?

You know,

pursuing wealth

for the sake

of becoming

rich is the

first step

of a downward

spiral to

ruin.

I want you

to look at it

in verse 9.

But those

who desire

to be rich

fall into

temptation.

I want you

to say,

that is clear,

that is just

what it says.

If God

blesses your

work and

productivity

to the point

that you

become wealthy,

even a

billionaire,

thank him,

be wise

in how you

manage it

and enjoy it.

but it is

sinfully

wrong

to truly

just

desire,

be obsessed

with becoming

wealthy.

And it'll

lead to your

downfall,

mine too.

But those

who desire

to be rich,

he writes,

fall into

temptation,

into a snare,

into many

senseless and

harmful desires

that plunge

people into

ruin and

destruction.

Paul is

warning us

of the

sinful and

dangerous

desire

to be rich

for the

sake of

living a

selfish,

materialistic

life of

wealth and

privilege.

marriage.

There is

no,

there is

nothing

commendable

about

desires

to become

a billionaire

or even

a millionaire

for the

sake of

just having

it

and not

having to

work,

just being

a bum.

Paul

is

condemning

by

warning

the

person

who

is

determined

to

get

rich

at

any

cost.

That's

what we're

talking

about.

Such a

person

makes

obtaining

wealth

their

ultimate

priority

and goal

in life.

Again,

don't feel

guilty if

you are

rich or

become rich

by working

and being

productive,

doing something

useful with

your life

that God's

called you

to do.

Just thank

him for

it.

But guard

against the

temptation

to just

want more

and more

just for the

sake of

your own

selfish

desires.

Let's look

at how Paul

describes this

downward spiral

to ruin

that desiring

to be rich

will cause.

Number one,

pursuing wealth

will expose us

to greater

temptation.

That's what we

looked at.

But those who

desire to be rich

fall into

temptation.

People who

make wealth

their goal

are tempted

to make

all kinds

of unhealthy

risks.

They'll risk

their health.

They'll risk

their marriage.

They'll risk

their relationship

with their

children.

They'll risk

the money

that they do

have.

What I'm

talking about,

a person who

is obsessed

with just,

I'm going

to be rich.

They're going

to do whatever

it takes

to be that.

They're going

to ignore

their relationship

with God.

They're going

to ignore

their spouse,

their children.

They're going

to be less

than wise

in using

their money.

They'll be

too risky.

It gets

worse.

Many people

get so focused

on making

money that

they give

in to the

temptations to

compromise

their integrity,

their

honesty,

their

truthfulness.

They'll lie

for a dollar.

They'll deceive

to make

money.

They'll be

less than

Christ-like

in the way

they treat

people and

do business

with people

so they can

come out

on top

in their

financial

transactions.

If you'll

lie to make

money,

you'll lie

about anything.

If you're

dishonest when

it comes to

your finances,

you're

dishonest

about

anything

because it's

a matter

of the

heart.

It's a

matter of

our

character.

It means

money is

our God.

We've

sold out.

Many

people

end up

only

concerned

about their

wealth

and they

have no

real interest

in anyone

or anything

including a

relationship

with God.

that's

outside of

that pursuit

of wealth.

So let's

just pause

here and ask

ourselves a

question.

What are

you most

concerned about

right now?

What most

occupies your

thinking when

you're riding

down the road?

When you're

outside just

cutting grass,

just sort of

letting your mind

wonder.

what most

occupies your

mind?

Your wealth?

Growing it?

Keeping it?

Or your

relationship with

God?

Growing in your

relationship with

Him?

Enjoying a

relationship with

Him?

number two,

pursuing wealth

changes our

desires,

but those who

desire to be

rich fall into

temptation,

into a snare,

into many

senseless and

harmful desires

that plunge

people into ruin

and destruction.

If we become

obsessed with

wealth, if we

just pursue

wealth for its

sake, here's

what will

change.

We'll put more

value on

things than

people.

We don't want

to mention

that, we don't

want to admit

that, but our

actions will show

it.

We're more

concerned about

things than we

are about people.

We'll put more

emphasis on the

things of this

world and little

to no emphasis

on the eternal

things of God.

You can tell

where your

emphasis is right

now by just

looking at what

do you do with

your time, your

talents, how do

you spend your

treasures?

Where is the

focus?

Where is the

emphasis?

That tells you a

lot about where

your desires are.

The end result of

this downward

spiral is this,

pursuing wealth

causes ruin and

destruction.

One more time,

verse 9, but

those who desire to

be rich fall into

temptation, into a

snare, into many

senseless and

harmful desires that

plunge people into

ruin and destruction.

Money is like a

drug, and to

blindly seek it is

an addiction.

Like all

addictions, the

more you have, the

more you want.

You never get

enough.

You know, it may be

that Paul uses these

two terms to point

to the ruin of our

lives here on earth

and the destruction

of our lives in

hell.

Let's not kid

ourselves by thinking

that we can pursue

both God and money.

It's an impossibility

because Jesus said it

was.

Look at this.

No one can serve

two masters.

For either he'll hate

the one and love the

other, or he'll be

devoted to the one and

despise the other.

You cannot serve God

and money.

Paul reinforces this

warning about the

danger of money by

referring to what was

probably a well-known

proverb in his day.

Verse 10, look at

this.

For the love of money is

the root of all kinds of

evils.

It is through this

craving that some have

wandered away from the

faith and pierced

themselves with many

pains.

Now note what this

verse does not say.

This may be, this is

one of the most

misquoted verses in

the Bible.

It does not say money

is the root of all

evil.

Money is not the root

of all evil.

In fact, money is not

the problem here.

It's the love of money.

That is sinful.

The love of money is not

the root of all evil.

It's just one of them.

It is a root of all

kinds of evil.

Again, I want to make

it clear.

Money can be a blessing

from God.

Money is not evil.

It is just a medium of

exchange.

Everybody has to have it.

It is a good.

It is worthwhile.

It is a blessing from

God a lot of times.

And we can use our money

in a lot of different

ways that will please

God.

We can serve Him.

We can serve Him with it.

The problem comes when we

think too highly of money

and allow it to control us

instead of us controlling

it.

Now I want you to note,

Paul says that this had

happened in the church

at Ephesus.

That's where Timothy is.

This is Paul's letter to

Timothy.

He is serving the church,

leading the church at

Ephesus.

And Paul says there are

some there who had

wandered away from the

faith.

There are Christians,

or professing Christians

anyway, church members,

who had forsaken their

relationship with God and

their commitment to the

truth of God's Word.

And by doing so, they'd

hurt themselves more than

anyone else.

Look at it.

And pierced themselves with

many pains or many griefs.

Let me ask you one more

time.

Money and material

prosperity.

It can be a blessing or it

can be a curse.

What is it for you?

You know, if our focus,

if our real obsession,

our true heartfelt desire is

to know, love, serve, and

please God, and be a

faithful steward of all that

He entrusts to our care,

money-wise, prosperity-wise,

the money and material

prosperity is a blessing.

Don't feel guilty.

If God has blessed you

tremendously, don't feel

guilty.

If you've had the right

motives, you've gone about

it the right way in

acquiring what you have,

enjoy it.

Realize you're a steward of

God.

God holds you responsible.

Be wise with it.

Please Him.

Honor Him with it.

But don't feel guilty.

It can be a blessing.

But if our real focus,

heartfelt desire is on the

money and the material

prosperity, and pursuing it

is the goal and joy of our

lives, the money and prosperity

is a curse.

It very well may lead to your

ruin in some way in this life.

But most assuredly, it'll lead to

your destruction of the day of

judgment unless you repent.

So, what is the nature right now of

your money and your material

prosperity?

Is it a blessing or is it a

curse?

Let's pray together.

Father, show us the truth.

show us the real answer to that

question.

And Father, help us to be honest.

Help us to admit if we are

obsessed with money and material

possessions and acquiring more.

And if it is, help us, dear God, to

see that it's wrong, it's sinful.

It does not please you and

ultimately it'll ruin us.

So, help us to repent of it and

seek your forgiveness.

Help us to rearrange our

priorities.

Help us to make you the object of

our strongest heartfelt desire.

But Father, where it is a

blessing, help that person to just

say thank you to you.

And seek to be faithful to use it

as you direct without guilt.

Father, if there are people in

this room who do not know you

because they do not have a

relationship with Jesus, help them

to understand that regardless of

their attitude toward money, they

are separated from you by their sin,

their selfishness, their self-centeredness.

Help them, dear God, to truly turn from

that, repent of that.

And to put their faith in Jesus as

their Savior and Lord.

Help them, dear God, to make a total

commitment of themselves to you right now

to live in life your way.

Lord, show us what we need to do.

And now it's just an attitude of prayer.

Listen to the Lord and respond to him

as he speaks to us.

you

you

you

you

you