This lengthy article should be required reading for those who think Netanyahu or any other Israeli politician is an American-style ‘conservative’.
The truth is that there IS no where else on earth like America (or rather, the REAL America.)
Scripture holds out an economy rooted in inviolate private ownership of land and the basic economic functions of society, with unmolested inheritance rights, prescribes private charity where folks take it upon themselves to take care of the less fortunate, and even praises investment.
Socialism etc are at odds with all of that.
In the past, specifically when describing the character of American so-called “progressives”, I’ve said that if only old Ahab had taken Naboth’s vineyard for a garden to feed the poor of Samaria (rather than his own belly) he would be now considered an early hero and advocate of public welfare.
I’ve also pointed out that at no time did The Lord ever command the establishment of some All Israel Bureau of Harvesting and Reaping Standards to go around with measuring rods to make sure no one harvested too close to the corners or else went back over the vineyard for fruit missed.
And finally, for this post, in the NT we find Peter explicitly indicating to Ananias that his property, and then the money from the sale, had been under his control, which could only mean that giving was NOT under compulsion. The sin was lying and not holding back part. Had the old boy but said something like: “here’s some of it, I and the wife are going on vacation with the rest” (or whatever) he would have lived.
But with Socialism etc everyone is compelled to give at the office, taking care of the poor is a matter for paid professionals to look after, and wealth is just what they leave you with ... they certainly feel the right in many countries to bestow a virtual right to inheritance on the government!
Still, I would wager than Israeli Jews are more conservative than most American Jews, who see the continuation of their faith as to spread socialism - meaning what are called “Reformed” Jews.
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