The Dignity of Private Property

Hard work pays great dividends. When one commits himself to working hard and saving, they will one day be in a position to buy and own property. Listen to Solomon: “Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth” (Proverbs 10:4). Becoming debt-free and owning your own home, car, or even your own business brings about the dignity of independence. It gives you a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. As Christians, we give God the glory for allowing us to work and own property. For example, when you own your own home, you are no longer dependent on the borrower or the government. You no longer pay interest to use someone else’s money: “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender” (Proverbs 22:7). You owe no one, and you have achieved the dignity of owning private property. This can only be achieved in a system that rewards hard work and allows ownership of private property. Socialism and Communism are systems that empower the government to own everything. The government becomes the master of everyone. They dictate the terms of work. They tell you where you will live and what you will and won’t have. The government places the limits on your potential.

Socialism is really a wolf in sheep’s clothing. It declares that it will defend the little guy. It will give you housing, medical care, and retirement. In short, it promises to take care of everyone from the cradle to the grave. That sounds good to the young person who doesn’t have much. They are glad to hear that Socialism promises to take from the rich and spread the wealth. What they don’t realize is that the government will eventually own the means of production and commerce, and everyone will be treated as equals. That is true—everyone will begin a journey toward poverty, both the rich and the poor. One thing is for sure: Socialism takes away the dignity of hard work and owning private property because the government owns everything. The motivation to work hard disappears because you have no reason to work hard. Work as hard as you like, you will still wind up in the same place.

In the United States, the Socialist Party has come out of the woodwork in preparation for our coming election this November. They are promising free childcare, free healthcare, free transportation, free housing, and some even free universal income. This is a lie! None of these things can be achieved because the country will become bankrupt in the process.

It is a good time to mention a few places where this grand experiment of Socialism has been tried: The Soviet Union under Stalin, China under Mao, North Korea under Kim Jong Un, Cuba under Fidel Castro, Venezuela under Maduro, Nicaragua under Daniel Ortega, Cambodia under Pol Pot. Need I go on? I ask you why anyone would consider Socialism or Communism a viable government option after the blatant failures of so many places where it has been tried. Each of these countries called itself some form of “People’s Republic,” all the while being cruel totalitarian states.

Those who promise these wonderful things want power, so they promise the world, but they can never deliver on their promises, and they know they can’t. When poverty comes to the country, they do not experience it. They continue to live lives of opulence and power, not affected by the disastrous economy they created. Socialism and Communism bring poverty: “Poverty will come on you like a thief, and scarcity like an armed man” (Proverbs 6:11).

What Has Happened To Me

In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, we find tenderness: “Every time I think of you,” In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy,” “I have you in my heart,” I love you with the affection of Christ Jesus.” The letter expresses Paul’s love, concern, and encouragement for these believers. But he also answers some questions that these believers had. “Why had God allowed Paul to be in prison instead of out there preaching the gospel?” Paul answers with these words: “Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear” (Philippians 1:12-14).

This unfortunate thing of me being arrested and sent to Rome has actually served to advance the Kingdom of God. Can you believe that right here under Caesar’s nose, the Praetorium Guard is receiving the gospel along with many others? Not only that, but because I am here in this prison, it has inspired the brothers and sisters of Rome to share their faith boldly.

Is this not the greatest example of God’s sovereign grace? God was behind the Jewish conspiracy to have Paul arrested and the order to have him sent to Rome to be tried by Caesar—at least God was working in all of it for his glory. Nothing escapes God’s attention. Of course, Paul was a willing vessel for God to work with. This could not have happened if Paul had been wallowing in a sea of self-pity and resentment. But Paul chose to believe God was still directing his life; that is why he says, “I am in chains for Christ.”

What chains do you find around your life? In what prison have you landed? Have you submitted to God’s hand? If you do, he will use your circumstances for his glory and the advance of the gospel.

Paul knows living for God is not easy, but he also knows that having a good attitude helps, so he says: “Let your attitude be the same as Christ Jesus” (Phil 1:5). Then Paul beautifully explains how Christ laid aside his heavenly place of power and majesty to become a servant to save us. So Paul says,

“Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky” (Philippians 2:14-15). This is not easy, but it is our goal to live each day this way.