Divine Communism
(week 16/05)
Olubi Johnson
Acts 4:32 NKJV: 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.
Here, in the early Church, we see a pattern of what can be called ‘Divine Communism’: having all things in common by the love of God.
Unlike human communism and socialism in which the state by unjust legislation, through either direct force or excessive taxation takes wealth from the rich to give to the poor, divine communism is motivated by God’s love and administered by God’s wisdom.
This divine communism when practiced by the love of God and the wisdom of the Holy Spirit will cause an eradication of lack in the Church and be a great witness of the love of God to the world:
John 13:35 NKJV: By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
The generous giving that this love will cause will not only supply physical needs but, more importantly, will cause glory to God through many thanksgivings of the beneficiaries:
2 Corinthians 9:6-14 NKJV: But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 9 As it is written: “He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.” 10 Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, 11 while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God. 12 For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God, 13 while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men,
How then will this ‘divine communism’ work in practice today?
In the early Church, they sold their belongings and brought the money to the Church for food and clothing to be bought and distributed to those in need.
This method however, over time, brought about problems of honesty, integrity and efficiency and became impracticable as the numbers in the church grew:
Acts 6:1-3 NKJV: Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a murmuring against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. 2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business;
So, today what will happen is for the local church to have an investment holding company that will have investments in different areas:
1. Food: farms, restaurants, etc.
2. Health care: hospitals, pharmaceuticals etc.
3. Education: schools, books etc.
4. Clothing: manufacturing of materials and making of clothes etc.
5. Real Estate: building and acquisition of houses, bridges, roads etc.
6. Communication: Television, telephony, internet etc.
7. Entertainment: theater, movies etc.
8. Transportation: Taxis, Airlines, Railways, Space travel etc.
9. Defense: Manufacture of weapons for to protect and defend civil liberties.
Shares in this investment holding company will be owned by Church members.
Individual wealth and resources will be retained by their owners as reflected by the amount of the shares they possess but will be held by them in trust for the common good and made available by freewill as led by the Holy Spirit as needs arise. Also resources in different areas of investment in the holding company will be available to church members through the benevolence of those who can afford these things.
Acts 4:34-35 NKJV: 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.
2 Corinthians 8:13-15 NIV: Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. 14 At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, 15 as it is written: “He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little.”
Everyone will be given an opportunity to have an education and so learn a profession by which they can prosper in or from one of the investment interests of the holding company, eradicating poverty and lack in our midst. Furthermore, as individuals prosper they will own more and more shares in the holding company.
The emphasis will not just be the giving of food, clothing and money for immediate needs even though this will done when necessary; rather the emphasis will be on empowering church members to be productive and creators of wealth. This will cause a multiplier effect so that in time they too can be benefactors of those that are in need so creating more wealth and eradicating lack.
Titus 3:14 NIV: Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives.
Isaiah 48:17 NKJV: Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, The Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, Who teaches you to profit,
What will make this all workable will be the development of the love of God in the Church and the corresponding development of honesty, integrity, wisdom and skills: God will give supernatural wisdom and skill to His people causing every one to be productive and so prosperous albeit at different levels, that will increase individually over time.
Daniel 1:17 NKJV: As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom;
Daniel 6:3 NKJV: Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him;
Isaiah 45:3NKJV: I will give you the treasures of darkness And hidden riches of secret places,
Proverbs 8:12, 18, 20-21 NIV: “I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion. 18 With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity. 20 I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, 21 bestowing wealth on those who love me and making their treasuries full.
This ‘divine communism’ will not work in a church not developed in the love of God. So the unity and development of the love of God is a vital ingredient for a local church to practice ‘divine communism’.
This is God’s purpose and pattern for the end-time Church, using the unity of love. This is because just as it was not good for Adam to be alone in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 2.18) it is not good to prosper alone. So the Church will now become feared and admired by the world promoting world evangelism and discipleship:
Genesis 11:6 NKJV: And the LORD said, “Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them.
John 17:21-23 NIV: that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.
Deuteronomy 28:9-13 NIV: The LORD will establish you as his holy people, as he promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the LORD your God and walk in his ways. 10 Then all the peoples on earth will see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they will fear you. 11 The LORD will grant you abundant prosperity–in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your ground–in the land he swore to your forefathers to give you. 12 The LORD will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. 13 The LORD will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom.
