I have to disagree with you here, John... the resemblance is only superficial.

The key, core difference is that between top-down, forceful imposition of a system for distribution of wealth, and bottom-up, voluntary implementation of such distribution.

When it comes to the early church and true Christianity, communal sharing is entirely voluntary. It is never imposed forcibly by a central authority, as is sadly true in Communist nations and (at least as I understand it) communist philosophy.