"Jesus was a socialist". I have seen this meme and heard this argument many times. At one time, I would have agreed. How could he not be? He lambasted the rich, called on his followers give up their earthly wealth, and was a poor man himself. Cloaked in the finest fabrics he was not. At a superficial glance, it seems clear he was indeed a socialist. Many Christians agree--enough that they founded their own Christian Socialist movement called "The Christan Left". But are they right?
Yes. And no. Jesus definitely had a heart for the poor and downtrodden. He was not a fan of taking advantage of people, and saved a lot of his harshest criticism for both the social elite and the wealthy. His followers lived in community and shared everything. They were the embodiment of the total community of Christ--both in spirit and in the world. They did that because that is how Christ instructed us to live. It was a way to support each other fully, and to be different from the world around them. They shunned the world, so to speak, in order to be closer to Christ. We have a modern day example of this--the Amish.
Sounds clear enough, and Socialism appears to be the solution. But the similarities between Christian community and Socialism are just that--similarities. Socialism is compulsory sharing at the State's whims. Christian community, in any form (intentional communities like the Amish, or simply being a good neighbor that volunteers at a soup kitchen or animal shelter) is done at God's urging upon our hearts. It is done because we love God and serve him. He blessed us, so we bless those around us. When we share and give our time according to spiritual leadings, the spirit of giving is genuine and in love. When we give because the State took from us and gave to a cause we might not agree with, it breeds contempt.
It's only when I truly contemplated the implications of personally living generously that I realized his commandments were meant for his followers, not the State.
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