Many Christians think socialism is at odds with their faith. But Jesus taught principles very much in line with social thinking.
The socialist principle that positively saturates Jesus’ gospel is the fair distribution of wealth, from each according to their ability, to each according to their needs. This would have been good news to the poor and the oppressed. It would have prevented anyone from acquiring excessive wealth, and it would have ensured that everyone received their fair share.
The following is my version of the rich man parable; I did not look it up.
So the rich man, after listening to Jesus’ sermon, approached Jesus and asked, “What must I do to get to heaven?” Jesus, seeing that the man was wearing silk clothing and must be rich, said to the rich man, “Give all your wealth to the poor and follow me.” The man was startled and walked away, saying to himself, “This guy must be nuts; no way is that going to happen.” Jesus turned to his disciples and said, “You see, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to go to heaven.”
At this point, whether or not you agree that Jesus was a socialist, if you at least see how central economic justice was to Jesus’ gospel, then it will be counted as a success. The current other big lie is the prosperity gospel.
Lawrence Josephs
Penn Township, Westmoreland County