As socialism and \u201cdemocratic socialism\u201d see a renewed rise in popularity, the claim that Jesus was a socialist (or that He endorsed socialism by implication, at the least) has seen a similar growth.<\/p>\n\n\n
There\u2019s a heavy amount of irony here, as those who use this argument are largely the same folks who insist that biblical morality shouldn\u2019t be used to craft societal standards. But that\u2019s another topic for another day.<\/p>\n\n\n
However, the socialists are correct when they say Jesus cared for the poor. One of the strongest teaching sections of Jesus’ entire ministry comes in Matthew 25, where He tells His followers that if they don\u2019t care for \u201cthe least of these,\u201d He will dismiss them at the judgment because He never knew them.<\/p>\n\n\n
In Luke 4 He quoted from Isaiah 61:1-2 to tell those listening that He was the fulfillment of that prophecy that promised good news to the poor, captive, blind, and oppressed.<\/p>\n\n\n
Jesus cared for the poor and taught that His true followers would do the same. But He (and the rest of the Bible) make it clear that it\u2019s just as important how<\/em> you give. And that\u2019s where the split with socialism begins.<\/p>\n\n\n Jesus\u2019 concern for the poor and socialists\u2019 concern for the poor differ greatly on two key points.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n First, Jesus expected His followers to give voluntarily<\/strong>. Socialists rely on coercion<\/strong>. Jesus never forced anyone to care for the poor. He simply explained to His followers that to be disciples of His, they would do what He did, and part of that included caring for the poor. He never made any attempt to seize the property of others and redistribute it. Socialists, on the other hand, have the goal of using government force to take money away from the wealthy to give to the poor.<\/p>\n\n\n Second, Jesus expected His followers to care for the poor with their own money<\/strong>. Socialists always build their plans on taking money from someone else<\/strong> – the wealthy, \u201cthe 1%,\u201d etc.Jesus didn\u2019t say \u201cFind a way to take somebody else\u2019s money to give to the poor.\u201d There is no kindness in that, no sacrifice, no charity. Just force and bureaucratic power, two things Jesus always rejected. Instead, He expected that His followers would share as they were able, and that\u2019s exactly what they did. In Acts 2 and Acts 4, those who had prospered sold what they had to give to those in need. And, once again, they did so voluntarily<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n