🌲Pine Frost🌲 (@PineFrost)

**_Apostolic Economics_** The key passages are in the Book of #Acts, describing the early #Jerusalem church right after Pentecost: > Acts 2:44-45: "All who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need." > Acts 4:32-35: "Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. ... There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need." **Important nuances (not strict communism)**: It was voluntary. Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5) were not judged for keeping property, but for lying about it and pretending to give everything. It was often incremental ("from time to time" sales of property) rather than total liquidation. It was needs-based distribution managed by the apostles (as stewards), not equal outcomes or state coercion. It was a response to circumstances: Many new believers were pilgrims/displaced in Jerusalem during a time of rapid growth and impending hardship. It created a safety net through radical generosity. This reflects *koinonia* (fellowship/communion) — spiritual unity expressed in material sharing. **If the apostles had not been oppressed**: A More Sustainable Apostolic Model Without persecution (no scattering of the church, no need to flee Jerusalem, no economic boycotts or confiscations), the apostles likely would have expanded this into stable, localized communities across the Roman world. **_Key features_:** **Strong emphasis on private property with stewardship and generosity**: Jesus and the apostles affirmed ownership (e.g., parables of talents, vineyards; Paul's tentmaking). But wealth was seen as a trust from #God for the common good. Hoarding or loving riches was condemned (e.g., rich young ruler, warnings about mammon). **Widespread distribution of productive assets**: Families and small groups would own land, tools, workshops, or trades — aligning with distributism's "every man a capitalist" ideal. Think family farms, artisan workshops, fishing businesses (like several apostles), or small trades. Guild-like mutual support among Christians would prevent concentration. **Community as the primary economic unit**: Local churches would function like extended families — voluntary sharing, mutual aid, deacons handling distributions (as in Acts 6). This is deeply #communitarian: individuals embedded in moral communities with responsibilities, not radical #individualism. **Work and productivity valued**: "If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat" (2 Thess. 3:10). #Apostles modeled honest labor. Economics would prioritize human-scale enterprise over speculation or exploitation. **Rejection of usury and exploitation**: Early Christian ethics (rooted in Old Testament) opposed charging interest to brothers in need and emphasized just dealings. This prefigures later #Catholic social teaching that influenced #distributism. **Gift economy within the community**: Paul's collections for the poor in Jerusalem show inter-church solidarity. In a freer environment, this could evolve into robust networks of cooperatives, hospitality, and local exchange. **Subsidiarity and scale**: Decisions at the most local level (households, house churches), with apostles providing oversight. No centralized state control — the church as a parallel society modeling the Kingdom. The apostolic system of economics was **communitarian distributism**. Probably not #libertarian, but it's the most ideal system in economic history. It definitely reflects what the kingdom of heaven will be like once #Christ returns. Compare to unadulterated #libertarianism: Ayn Rand's *Objectivism* (*lassiez-faire* capitalism). Ayn Rand believed in the philosophy of #egoism, where everything is private and the common good is neglected. The fortunate individual self benefits, but the community suffers. Rand believed that selfishness is the highest virtue, and that altruism, #charity, and self-sacrifice is immoral and evil. So basically Rand's philosophy is all about radical self-interest, which contravene all of Christ's teachings. #Christianity and libertarianism are not compatible, at least in the objectivist view. Just as #communism is collectivism and egalitarianism to the extreme, #objectivism is individualism to the extreme. Anton #LaVey, the founder of the Church of #Satan, once said in an interview that his version of #satanism is "just Ayn Rand's #philosophy with ritual and ceremony added". Objectivism only gives rise to plutocracies and oligarchies. #economy #economics #oligarchy #plutocracy