The Government is Not an Extension of the Church

There are those on the political left (both non-Christians and professing Christians) who claim Jesus was a socialist (1). They point to verses like Acts 20:35 as evidence the church’s mission to care for the poor should also be the government’s mission.

“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” -Acts 20:35
While this sounds good on its face, this comparison misses a fundamental difference between the church and the government: freedom of association.
“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, [NOT] reluctantly or under [COMPULSION], for God loves a cheerful giver.” -2 Corinthian 9:7
When you join a church, you do so because you want to. When you tithe or support missionaries, you do so because you want to. Yes, we are told to, “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse,” (Malachi 3:10) , but no one gets fined or whipped or punished for refusing to tithe. Even if a bad church were to do such things, that church would not last long because with the freedom of association, also comes the freedom of disassociation: the freedom to leave.
But when it comes to government, there is no freedom of association. You are born into it, whether you like it or not. “To govern” literally means, “to exercise continuous sovereign authority over.” (2) If association with a government were only by voluntary consent, then the government would not have sovereign authority, and therefore it would not actually be a government.
Imagine what would happen if the IRS said, “Please pray about paying your taxes this year.”
Or on the flipside, what would a socialist Bible translation look like?
“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, [if you don’t the church/government will take what you have and throw you in jail].” -Acts 20:35 CST (compassionate Socialist Translation)
"Each one must give [what the government decides is his fair share], [preferably] not out of reluctance or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver, [but giving under compulsion is still better than nothing] -2 Corinthians 9:7
It is free will and voluntary association that makes the church a unique force for good in this world. No one can force you into it, and no one should try.

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