Matthew 25:14-29So, to address the question of whether Jesus would advocate socialism, let's compare and contrast some central themes of socialism with this lesson from Christ.
14 "For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. 16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. 18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord's money. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, 'Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.' 21 His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' 22 He also who had received two talents came and said, 'Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.' 23 His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' 24 Then he who had received the one talent came and said, 'Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.' 26 But his lord answered and said to him, 'You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 28 Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. (emphasis added)
1. Socialism says "From each according to his ability, to each according to his need." But Jesus likened the Kingdom of Heaven to a capitalist investor who entrusts his resources to each according to his ability.
2. Socialism seeks to equalize outcomes so that everyone benefits equally from output, but in the Kingdom of Heaven described by Jesus, the owner/master rewards his performance.
3. Socialism seeks to "spread the wealth around" by taking from the wealthy and giving to the poor, but in the Kingdom of Heaven described by Jesus, what little is held by the non-productive and lazy is taken away and given to the most productive in order that it might be put to better use.
Sounds like three strikes for the notion that Jesus was a socialist.
Always pay special attention to “the letters in red”.
When Jesus speaks, the Father is speaking.
Complete this Revised Updated Version:
Matthew 25:14-29
14 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 And to three he gave five talents each, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. 16 One who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17 The second who received five talents went and redistributed all five to the poor. 18 And the third who received five talents traded, made another five talents, and with these, reinvested three, gave one to the poor, and gave one to the temple. 19 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. 20 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. 21 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 21 As Jesus told the parable, the lord of the servants responsed as follows:...........