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* Welcome to this week's continued discussion of "Did Jesus Promote Socialism?" The past two weeks we've looked at Jesus' teaching about how we are to care for the poor. In case you haven't read these yet, you can go read Part 1 or Part 2 at your convenience. This week we'll look at two more passages the poor. Let's see what Jesus had to say. “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, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (NASB, Luke 6:34-36). “And He also went on to say to the one who had invited Him, “When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors,...

*Updated 12/2019* Last week we began exploring the question of “ Did Jesus promote socialism ?” In case you missed it, read it here . We looked at two passages in particular: Luke 6 and 14. We discovered that God is the source of all of our resources. As a follower of Christ, we are to help those in need freely because of our love of God. Because we want to be good stewards of what he has given us. God does not rip His money and resources out of our hands to give away. That is not God’s model. God wants us help as the Spirit leads in accordance to our love for Him. This week we’ll examine Matthew 25. It reads, ““For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me…Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.” (NASB, Mat...

*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,...