Nat Crawford - Executive Coach, Speaker, Leader

*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,...