Nullifying Theft (or, Israel Gives Its Stuff Away)

One thing The Kennedys discuss in Nullifying Tyranny is how a monarchy leads to a loss of property rights, and excuses theft. In their chapter on the inherently evil nature of government, the Kennedys point out how Israel’s new monarchy (1 Sam 8:10-18) sanctioned theft.

First, here’s the passage:

“Samuel told all the words of the LORD to the people who were asking him for a king. He said, 'This is what the king who will reign over you will do: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots and horses, and they will run in front of his chariots. Some he will assign to be commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and others to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and still others to make weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants. Your menservants and maidservants and the best of your cattle and donkeys he will take for his own use. He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves. When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, and the LORD will not answer you in that day.'"

You need to read Nullifying Tyranny for yourself (I hope these posts send you to Amazon, or wherever you buy your books), but here’s a great excerpt from the book: “Notice that the new government under a king would result in the government of Israel taking away the private property of the people of Israel. The king (government) had no resources of its own. The only way the king could pay the cost of government was by “taking” private property away from the productive people. This act of “taking” violates the commandment not to steal, but because the king is doing the stealing, then no one dares to complain—it is hard to stand on principle when the choice is between keeping your private property or keeping your head! It is also instructive for modern readers to understand why the king steals his subjects’ private property. The king steals his subjects’ private property in order to pay for the loyalty of his supporters—those close to the source of power who have a natural interest in maintaining the status quo. The king needs loyal servants (supporters in today’s political jargon) because they will be the ones to enforce the king’s edicts. A loyal court, a loyal police and military, and a loyal religious establishment are all necessary to maintain the king securely in his office. Such things are very costly, but the king does not have to “labor” or earn his keep by the “sweat” of his brow—he merely takes from the productive and gives to those who, thanks to the king’s government, are no longer required to labor. The king, his court, his military, and the religious establishment that supports the king all lead parasitic lives. The cost is paid by the productive who must labor to earn enough for the king—who like all government has first claim on productive labor—and then hopefully have enough left over for the productive individual.”

Do you agree with that? I hope so. Do you agree that civil government allows and encourages theft? I hope you do. Do you want a better system? I know I do.