Communism as practiced by Stalin and early leaders of the Soviet Union included forcibly taking land away from owners to be run by collectives. Ukraine, now again in Soviet cross hairs, was a victim of Stalin’s ruthlessness.

For centuries, however, the problem of poverty next to great wealth was part of unrest and rebellion in many parts of the world, from peasant revolts in China to the French Revolution.

Both Hebrew and Christian scriptures allow wealth. The scriptures are filled with feasts and celebrations, often a product of wealth. The problem is not wealth—indeed wealth is seen as a blessing. The problem with wealth is the same as with many other blessings—musical ability, beauty, political success, for example. The problem is the hoarding or use of blessings for oneself alone.

Every so often, according to Hebrew scriptures, wealth is to be curtailed, with part of it returned to original owners or their descendants. Wealth is allowed and to be enjoyed, but within limits.

The problem is not the enjoyment of wealth but the hoarding of wealth. Wealth is to be both enjoyed and shared.

We might look at our taxation as a modern day version of scriptural righteousness. The rich should be allowed the use of their wealth for their own enjoyment, but a responsible portion of it should be taxed for the use of all—schools, child care, low income housing, medical care, and other uses that benefit all of us.