Does “stewardship” lead to socialism?

We talk a lot about stewardship around here — the idea that everything belongs to God, who’s entrusted me as a wise steward of my mind, body, and possessions. But the notion of stewardship, mystical and true as it is, hides a philosophical implication that could literally undue Western civilization: the absence of private property.

Perk up. Any conversation about private property stands us on hallowed philosophical ground. Imagine yourself arguing with me:

“Everything belongs to God. Ok,” — you might say — “I can kind of wrap my head around that idea. But does that mean that there’s no such thing as private property? Because if I don’t actually own anything — my Honda, my condo, the business I started — then who owns my stuff? Yes, God, fine. But who on earth? The state? My neighbors? Everyone, in some vague collective sense? I really don’t like the sound of this — stewardship as agitprop for an American socialist dystopia. Great. Sorry, man, I’m not into stewardship anymore. God can keep my stuff but I’ll keep my private property.”

Dang. Well said. You are right to be afraid.

But you should probably be more afraid than you think, because property is more than your Honda. In the words of James Madison, it’s your land, merchandize, and money, but also your “opinions and the free communication of them.”

Your mind. Your inner world. Your ideas. And the words you speak. And your body. And your money. All property.

Madison: “Where an excess of power prevails, property of no sort is duly respected. No man is safe in his opinions, his person, his faculties, or his possessions.”

Good, we will protect private property (that’s the purpose of government). And be encouraged: stewardship does not endanger private property.

See now a distinction, the horizontal and the vertical.

Relating to fellow humans, there is the horizontal. Relating to God, there is the vertical. Horizontal and vertical are metaphors drawn from geometry. We aim to communicate a sense.

In the horizontal, relating to fellow humans, we speak of private property. In the vertical, relating to God, we speak of stewardship.

Here’s a concrete example. Consider Freedom Quest, my financial advising business.

In relation to you, I own Freedom Quest; you don’t. If you want part of it, you need to ask me. In relation to God, however, I don’t own Freedom Quest; God ultimately does. He “gave” it to me (more metaphorical language). I am responsible to him for my management.

Do you see now that stewardship and private property address who owns what in two different relational spheres? Stewardship the divine. Private property the human. No, stewardship does not lead to socialism. But Americans forgetting that government’s true end is protecting property surely will.

Note: I quoted James Madison’s essay simply titled “Property.” If you care about freedom and self-governance, you should definitely go read it yourself.