God expects people to act in the best interests of others-but what’s really in everyone’s best interests might not be the same as what’s popular or what’s demanded by the culture. Given that context, it seems Scripture endorses a collectivist attitude in some matters, but that attitude is meant to be expressed on an individual, personal, and voluntary level. Nor does it allow the more numerous able-bodied to abuse or neglect those with handicaps (James 1:27 Zechariah 7:8–10). Scripture does not support the idea of taking from the wealthy simply because the more numerous group wants their money (Matthew 21:33–41 25:14–30). The same concept of self-sacrifice and preference for others means “the many” have a moral obligation not to take advantage of “the few.” That applies whether the individuals in question are perceived as advantaged or disadvantaged. However, collectivism can be taken too far. Individuals have rights and value, but so does the larger society-which, of course, is comprised of valuable individuals with rights. ![]() This is part of the purpose behind church discipline (1 Corinthians 5:13) and the entire purpose of criminal punishments, including the death penalty (Romans 13:3–4 Exodus 21:12). In some instances, it’s scriptural to give precedence to the health and well-being of a group over the health and well-being of a single person. So, collectivism has a certain level of biblical support. ![]() It could be said that Jesus’ death on the cross was the ultimate expression of collectivism, as He endured great personal suffering for the sake of many other people (Romans 5:15–19). The general theme of Christian ethics is self-sacrificial love of others (Ephesians 5:2). In other places, Scripture instructs individuals to place the needs of others above their own, such as in Philippians 2:3 and Romans 12:10. Examples of this are Acts 2:44 and Acts 4:32. In some cases, the Bible describes collectivist behavior without requiring it or even endorsing it. The Bible contains examples of collectivism. A moderate view of collectivism is compatible with Scripture. The Bible presents a positive view of collectivism, yet it also powerfully speaks to the value of the individual. As with any human philosophy, that idea can be used for good or turned into an excuse for abuse. In other words, collectivism says the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. It's the cost of getting wealthy - and after all, without a strong middle-class, the free market engine that made all us wealthy people, will cease to function.Collectivism is an approach to decision-making that presumes benefits for a group are more important than benefits for an individual. It won't fit a Libertarian, or even Conservative ideology, but to me there are no other options that create a healthy society. I doubt we agree on that - but to me it's simple math. The needs of the many will, sooner or later, have to be satisfied, and in the end the only way that can happen is to decrease the wealth of the few. You know what happens if this is allowed to continue - well, just recall Marie Antoinette. ![]() How else can you explain this income disparity, especially while middle-class incomes don't even keep up with modest inflation rates. The United States now arguably has a more unequal distribution of wealth than traditional banana republics like Nicaragua, Venezuela and GuyanaĬlearly wealthy individuals ("job creators" as the GOP likes to call them) (or "risk takers" as likes to call them) clearly they are not being asked to pay too much - quite the opposite.The bottom 50% of Americans (some 1.6M Americans) owns only 2.5% of US income.The top 10% (a mere 320,000 Americans) now own almost half of US income.The richest 1 percent of Americans, (a mere 32,000 people) now take home almost 24 percent of US income, up from almost 9 percent in 1976.
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