Compassion vs. Communism

"But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, and kept back part of the price...and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thy heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back part of the price of the land? While it remained, did it not remain thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thy power? How is it that thou hast conceived this thing in thy heart? thou has not lied unto men, but unto God. (Acts 5:1-4 ASV)

This is a lesson of a man and wife who sold property and wanted to look like they had given all of the money to the Apostles.  The husband first brought the money and pretended he gave the whole amount, Peter called chastised him on his lie and Ananias falls down dead; next the wife comes in and is asked if this was the amount paid them. Yes, she said, and the same thing happens to her, because of their lie to God. Their sin was not for keeping part of the money, but for LYING to God about it. As Peter said, "While it remained, did it not remain thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thy power?" Here's a secondary lesson in here.You can fool people sometimes, but you can never fool God. 

There is a rise in our country today lifting up 'socialism' as a shining example, and over the years some have used the early church, after Pentecost, and said it was socialistic.

Acts 2:43  "And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44)  And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
45)  and they sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all, according as any man had need. 46)  And day by day, continuing stedfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart,"

This was a period of learning and growing in the fledgling church, but it wasn't a forever situation. The growing of the church in Jerusalem lasted until the stoning of Stephen, the first Christian martyr.

Act 8:2  "And devout men buried Stephen, and made great lamentation over him. 3)  But Saul laid waste the church, entering into every house, and dragging men and women committed them to prison. 4)  They therefore that were scattered abroad, went about preaching the word."

God doesn't condone socialism. Socialism is anti-God. Government replaces God, and becomes a god.

This passage in 2 Corinthians tells how we ought to give to God. Not as of necessity, but of willingness, because God loveth a cheerful giver. We ought  to care for those less fortunate as well, but not with a gun held to our head as happens under socialism.

2Corinthians 9:5  I thought it necessary therefore to entreat the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your aforepromised bounty, that the same might be ready as a matter of bounty, and not of extortion. 6)  But this I say, He that soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he that soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7)  Let each man do according as he hath purposed in his heart: not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

God does expect us to be compassionate on others who can't help themselves. It isn't compassion to encourage those who can work and take care of themselves and their own families to become idle and worthless.

1Timothy 5:8 "But if any provideth not for his own, and specially his own household, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever."

The Apostle Paul informs the Thessalonians:

"For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, If any will not work, neither let him eat. For we hear of some that walk among you disorderly, that work not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread." (2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 ASV)

Socialism tries to make everyone equal, but the equality only extends as far as misery; everyone is equally miserable.