Socialism

The more I contemplate it, I am more convinced that socialism is, perhaps, a perfect economic system. All have everything in common. Power no longer falls in the hands of a few, but it is shared among all. No one is lacking, none is wasteful.

There is only one problem I see with socialism. It demands perfection from all. Those with less cannot demand more without giving back. Those with more cannot withhold. Those of inferior intelligence need to yield to those with superior intelligence. Those with superior intelligence cannot use the power contained within their knowledge.

Alas, therein lies the weakness in socialism. History confirms that humans are not perfect, but are far from it. The next best solution is an economic system that rewards good performance and punishes poor performance (or lack of performance).

That said, I like to imagine a church that operates under a purer economic system. I like to picture a church that, out of selflessness, cares for the poor and the widowed. A picture a church that, while not rewarding sloth, cares for the needy. I envision a leadership praised for it's humility and servanthood, not it's craftiness and scheming. Maybe, just maybe, that's the radical idea that's lacking today, and maybe this model of church will turn the Western church upside down.