The division of labor is the basis of voluntary exchange and the sole reason for society. Without it, society would not exist.
Dr. C.F.W. Walther wrote a great little theological book called ‘Communism and Socialism’ which speaks to the Biblical perspecive of society. It is a compilation of four of his seminary lectures on the topic.
I particularly like his treatment of the topic of riches concerning Anninias and Saphirah>
"And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart,
and of one soul: neither said any of them that aught of the
things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things
common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of
the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and grace was upon them
all. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as
many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and
brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them
down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto
every man according as he had need. And J oses, who by the
apostles was surnamed Barnabas (which is, being interpreted,
the son of consolation), a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,
having land, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the
apostles’ feet."
This is certainly a glorious example of the
ardent love of the early Christians. It must be remembered
that at that time too, only a few rich people accepted Chrisianity;
the greater number of those who became Christians were
poor. To this must be added the fact that no Christian’s life was
safe even for a single hour. The drawn sword of a bloodthirsty
Herod threatened the life of every Christian. During
that time of great trouble the Christians bound themselves most
intimately together, and so that no one might be in want, those
of more means than others sold their real estate and pJaced
the 'proceeds into a common treasury.
Thus far it seems as if these examples really favored communism.
We read, however, of no other Christian congregation
of the apostolic age in which such an order of things was instituted.
And furthermore we read in Acts 5:1ff., "But a certain
man" (Luke thus continues) "named Ananias, with Sapphira,
his wife, sold a possession, and kept back part of the price (his
.wife also being privy to it) and brought a certain part, and
laid it at the apostles’ feet." This Ananias also wanted to be
looked upon as a loving benevolent and merciful Christian man.
To this end he sold his possessions, but kept back part of the:
price, and brought the rest to the apostle Peter under the pretense
that this was the enire sum that he had realized. "But
Peter :said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to
the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the
land? While it remained, was it not thine own? and after it
was sold, was it not in thine own power?" It is particularly
worthy of note that Peter here says: "While it remained, was it
not thine own?" We see from this that the first Christian congregation
at Jerusalem had not instituted such an order of
things that each one would have been compelled to give up his
possessions, but the Christians did this without restraint, from
free choice. For Peter here testifies to Ananias: "It would not
have been wrong for you to keep your house and land." Yes,
he even adds: "And after it was sold, was it not in thine own
power?" "Thou couldst have said: I will give one-half, and all
would have been well; no one could have made it a matter of
conscience. The reason why it is such a shameful deed, is because
thou wouldst be considered a loving and benevolent
Christian, whereas thou hast done secretly just the contrary
to what thou pretendest to have done." We read also that
the members of the first Christian congregations had houses
and possessions, for example Simon, the tanner in Joppa (Act;;;
10:6), the wealthy seller of purple, Lydia in Philippi (Acts 16:14, 15),
then even the deacon or almoner Philip in Jerusalem
had a house in Cesarea (Acts
21:8)
and even the mother of
John, whose surname was Mark, owned a house in Jerusalem ..
(Acts
12: 12.)
From this we must necessarily conclude:: that the first congregation
at Jerusalem was not organized according to communist
principles, but that the described condition of affairs was
but an unrestrained manifestation of their love in times of
~xtreme necessity. After this we read Acts
9:31,
"Then had the
churches rest throughout all Judea, and Galilee, and Samaria,
and were edified: and walking in the fear of the Lord, and ill
the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multipled." From this
time forth this arrangement of having in’ a certain measure all
things common ceased in Jerusalem. It continued for a short
time only, until after the conversion of Paul about the year 36.
But what we do learn from this example, is. this: how a
true Christian should be disposed.
In his heart, IF RIGHTLY UNDERSTOOD, every Christian should be a communist. In
other words, a Christian should always be ready and willing
to give up all he has for the benefit of his suffering brethren,
whenever their necessity requires it. The apostle John accordingly
says: "But whoso hath this world’s good, and. seeth his
brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion
from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?"
(1 John 3:17)
The Saviour expressly declares: "Give to him that asketh
thee, and from him that would borrow of thee, turn not thou
away." (Matthew 5:42.) The apostle Paul commands the Christian
to "labor working with his hands the thing which is good,
that he may have to give to him that needeth." (Ephesians
4:28.)
He does not command him to labor, working with his hands the
thing which is good, that he may obtain a capital and become
rich, but “That he may have to give to him that needeth.” The
apostle Paul further says: "and they that buy, as though they
possessed not."
(1 Corinthians 7:30.) He that owns property
should then be as if he possessed nothing, his heart should not
be attached to it, it should create no inward struggle to give
up his possessions when his neighbor is in want or the glory’
of God requires it. That person is no Christian whose heart and
money are one.
Christ accordingly declares in the very begin.
ning of his sermon on the mount: "Blessed are the poor in
spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." What does this
mean? Blessed are those, whether they have few or many
possessions, who are poor in spirit. He is to be poor in his
heart and mind. That man who has riches which have really·
become riches to him, his most precious treasure, which he
secures and would not lose for the whole world, that man has
not yet learned the first words of Christ’s sermon on i:he
mount: “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” And if you were very
rich, you should be poor in spirit, you should be as if you had
none of those things which have fallen to your lot. The Psalmist
therefore also says: "If
riches increase, set not your heart
upon them." (Psalm
62:10.)