With all the talk and some push to socialize the United States, there are those who say that Jesus was a Socialist. First, Jesus is, and not was. He’s alive and sitting at the right hand of God. Thus the title of this article Jesus Is Not A Socialist. I just wanted to clear that up.
Matthew 19:21:
Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
This is what Jesus told a rich, young ruler who was feeling that his life was lacking despite being wealthy and keeping the laws. What Jesus told him he needed to do is not Socialism. He was telling the young man that in order to follow Him, he would need to be willing to sacrifice everything.
In Acts, Chapter 2, the early church began “selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.” This, too, is not Socialism. This is how a family should treat each other. The members of the early church were “together and had all things in common”. They viewed each other as a family and treated each other as such.
As with most things that humans do, it didn’t take long for things to get out of balance. Later, the Apostle Paul wrote to the Thessalonians “..if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either.” That certainly isn’t how Socialism works. With Socialism, the slacker gets the same share as the go-getter. Paul was reminding them that everyone still needs to pull their own weight and contribute.
If you read Jesus’ parable about the talents, it’s summed up with: Whoever is responsible over little things will be given responsibility over much. That certainly isn’t Socialism. Socialism rewards the lazy with the earnings of the hard worker.
Jesus is not a socialist. Do you know who was? Robin Hood. For some reason, this thief is regarded as a hero because he stole from the rich and gave it to the poor. It didn’t cost Robin Hood anything. He didn’t lose any of his money or possessions. He took that which didn’t belong to him and gave it to somebody else.
Taking from those who earn and giving it to those who don’t is Socialism.
(Photo by eberhard ?? grossgasteiger on Unsplash)
