Nat Crawford - Executive Coach, Speaker, Leader

*Updated 12/2019* W ell, here we are. Concluding a lengthy study of the topic of Jesus and socialism. Did Jesus promote socialism? We took three weeks seeing what Jesus taught about the poor ( Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3 ). We took one week looking at the sick ( Part 4 ). This week, we’ll conclude by seeing what Jesus taught on paying taxes. Taxes “And He said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” And they said to Him, “Caesar’s.” And Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” (NASB, Mark 12:16-17) In Mark 12:13-17, the religious leaders are questioning Jesus about paying taxes. Like today, there were harsh penalties for not paying taxes. They questioned Jesus, “Should you pay taxes to the government?” They thought they had the perfect question to trap Jesus. He knew how to respond. “Look at the coin. Who’s picture is on it?” “Caesar’s”, they replied. “Then pay your taxes. The tax money was used...

*Updated 12/2019* What comes to mind when you read the word "socialism?" Some people think of Karl Marx. Some thing of communist China. Some thing of Bernie Sanders or Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Some people think freedom or fair. A few days ago, I saw on Facebook a discussion about socialism being Christian. This made me think, “Is socialism and the redistribution of wealth a ‘Christian’ ideal? Is this what Jesus taught?” Over the next several blogs, I will look over the teachings of Jesus Christ to examine this question. I will look at passages regarding the poor, the sick, taxation, and the sharing of resources. There is no doubt, Jesus was engaged in helping the down and out. Yet the question remains, “Did Jesus Promote Socialism?” Let’s begin by looking at passages regarding the poor. The Poor “If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount. But love your enemies,...

           Jesus Christ taught and did many things during His life. But did He teach social justice?  What do we mean by social justice?  Social justice is giving each person what is rightfully theirs.  Most people would put say “It is helping those in need get the things they need.” Social justice is a hot topic both in the political and Christian realms.  Depending on who is talking, you may hear the terms redistribution of wealth, socialism, entitlement and communism.  I will not attempt to deal with whether food, clothing, shelter and healthcare are entitlements or whether or not it is the government’s role to fulfill these shortfalls. I will focus on the teachings of Christ in regards to the poor, the sick and taxes. In the synoptic gospels, there are over ten recurring records of teaching on the poor and over twenty on healing. The book of John contains similar passages. Clearly, Jesus had an opinion on ...