In What Political Direction did Jesus Lean

A survey conducted by the Barna Group, of which I am a subscriber, found 24 percent of respondents believe Jesus’ teachings align more closely with socialism than capitalism. Only 14 percent believe Jesus was a capitalist. Asked which of the presidential candidates’ views were closest to the teachings of Jesus, 21 percent said Bernie Sanders, and 9 percent said Hillary Clinton.

If all you know about Jesus is what you’ve heard, I can understand why you might think he was a socialist. After all, He healed the sick and fed the hungry and commanded His followers to do likewise, right? Is that not what socialists do? Actually, no. Historically socialists ration government-run health care services and starve their people. Jesus wasn’t a socialist, but, interestingly, he was betrayed by one. It is a figment of one’s imagination to think Jesus was a proponent of “the Great Society” or “the War on Poverty.” He exhorted individuals to heal the sick, feed the hungry and help the poor. But he never suggested in any way, shape or form that this was the proper role of government. This was the role of the church – the duty of the individual believer. Jesus said: “ The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me."

Jesus had some other interesting comments that suggest He was far from a socialist. Take, for instance, the parable of the talents as told in Matthew 25:14-30. I encourage you read the before mentioned scripture passage. It begins, “For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his ability; and straightway took his journey….”

This message is counterintuitive for the socialist mindset. Additionally, it’s not surprising it is universally neglected by those proponents of “liberation theology.” God could have provided everyone equal shares, but He sovereignly chose not to do so. All He asked is that his servants make the most of the gifts they were given. He rewarded those who had more and produced more, and punished severely those who started with less and produced less.

Now I ask you, is this not a nightmare for socialists and liberals alike who try to use the Bible to justify their humanist utopian dreams?