The Enslaving Nature of Socialism

The story of Joseph  and his life in Egypt is NOT  a story about civil economics.  It is a story of God preserving a godly seed in such a way that He would bring to this world, at just the right time, a Savior. I want to make that clear.   I do not run to Genesis 41 and following to garner insight about social economics – but without doubt we have a clear illustration of the reality of socialism in this story.

You know the story:  Pharaoh had a disturbing dream, to which Joseph revealed the interpretation.

“Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same. God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good heads of grain are seven years; it is one and the same dream. The seven lean, ugly cows that came up afterward are seven years, and so are the seven worthless heads of grain scorched by the east wind: They are seven years of famine.” (Genesis 41:25–27, NIV)

Pharaoh, astounded by the wisdom of this man set him up as governor of the land of Egypt.  Joseph's plan was profound.

“Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance. They should collect all the food of these good years that are coming and store up the grain under the authority of Pharaoh, to be kept in the cities for food. This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine that will come upon Egypt, so that the country may not be ruined by the famine.”” (Genesis 41:34–36, NIV)

It's not that difficult a plan to understand.  During the years of plenty, the state, collects one fifth of the harvest.  Let's call this a tax.  During the famine years, what has been stored will be sold back to the people.  You notice I call it a tax.  It is not an insurance scheme.  “And all the world came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph, because the famine was severe everywhere.” (Genesis 41:57, NIV)

Fast forward past the events where Joseph's family settle in Egypt.  Let's run ahead to the time when the famine was having its main impact.  Notice the conditions:

“There was no food, however, in the whole region because the famine was severe; both Egypt and Canaan wasted away because of the famine. Joseph collected all the money that was to be found in Egypt and Canaan in payment for the grain they were buying, and he brought it to Pharaoh’s palace. When the money of the people of Egypt and Canaan was gone, all Egypt came to Joseph and said, “Give us food. Why should we die before your eyes? Our money is all gone.”” (Genesis 47:13–15, NIV)

The famine has hit.  Now the money to buy the stored grain is gone.  What should they do?

“When that year was over, they came to him the following year and said, “We cannot hide from our lord the fact that since our money is gone and our livestock belongs to you, there is nothing left for our lord except our bodies and our land. Why should we perish before your eyes—we and our land as well? Buy us and our land in exchange for food, and we with our land will be in bondage to Pharaoh. Give us seed so that we may live and not die, and that the land may not become desolate.”” (Genesis 47:18–19, NIV)

Now here is the end result (please note it carefully): “So Joseph bought all the land in Egypt for Pharaoh. The Egyptians, one and all, sold their fields, because the famine was too severe for them. The land became Pharaoh’s, and Joseph reduced the people to servitude, from one end of Egypt to the other.” (Genesis 47:20–21, NIV)  [Emphasis mine]

I do not believe that Joseph intentionally exploited the people.  They were very happy to live under these conditions. ““You have saved our lives,” they said. “May we find favor in the eyes of our lord; we will be in bondage to Pharaoh.”” (Genesis 47:25, NIV)

I am convinced, that without reading any wicked motives into this story, that the end result of an socialist, economic system, by its very nature, enslaves the people.  When the state or nation become our benefactor, we sell a bit of our soul.  I am not arguing that capitalism is biblical.  I am arguing that a socialistic, welfare-driven state, enslaves its citizens.