If you have been watching any of the news and the political theatre that plays out every day, you probably heard the word socialist or socialism mentioned a time or two. I know that word is a pariah for some in our capitalist society. Just hearing the word makes your blood boil as you think of losing what you worked so hard to obtain. I must be clear that my goal today is not to espouse or debunk the ideals of socialism. I will leave that to all the political talking heads out there. I want to ask what I think is a more interesting question. Was Jesus a socialist?
If we are going to be fair in answering this question, we must establish two things. First, Jesus was apolitical. He did not come to bring a political ideology because his focus was on a mission much higher than that. Second, to answer this question objectively, you must lay aside any pre-existing opinions about socialism. This is an interesting conversation if you can do both of those things. If you find yourself aggravated over the thought, you might want to jump to the end of the article.
What Is Socialism?
Let me begin by giving you a broad definition of what socialism is. According to Merriam-Webster and other dictionaries, socialism is a system that emphasizes the collective ownership and control of the means of production, distribution, and exchange of goods and services, aiming to reduce inequality. The origins of modern socialism date back to the 18th century and were espoused by British and French thinkers such as Thomas Spence, Charles Fourier, and Robert Owen.
Socialism advocates for the equitable distribution of wealth and resources and seeks to reduce economic disparities and promote social welfare. The core goal is to distribute the advantages of production and economic progress evenly among all members of society rather than allowing them to be controlled by a small group of people or organizations. For a socialist, the focus is on the community, and they prioritize social welfare and equality, striving for collective ownership and an economic system that benefits everyone.
What Is Capitalism?
Merriam-Webster explains that capitalism is an economic system that focuses on private ownership of the means of production and the pursuit of profit through market competition. In a capitalist system, people and businesses have the freedom to own, operate, and trade with minimal government involvement.
Capitalism is driven by the desire for profit, where people and companies try to make as much money as possible by making things that people want. Through supply and demand dynamics, the market determines prices and allocates resources efficiently.
Capitalism promotes innovation and entrepreneurship by rewarding those who create new products or services that satisfy consumer needs and desires. Competition among businesses fosters efficiency and encourages continuous improvement.
Was Jesus a Socialist or a Capitalist?
Before I answer that question, I must restate that Jesus was apolitical. In today’s language, he was not a Democrat, a Republican, a socialist, or a capitalist. He was kingdom-minded first. He went about his Father’s business, declaring, “the kingdom of God is here.”
However, since we are drawing a comparison, if we had to fit Jesus into a category, would we conclude Jesus was a socialist?
If you look at it objectively, with no political biases about these economic systems, you might say Jesus was a socialist. Let me give you an example.
When Jesus fed the five thousand in Matthew 14, he took the five fish and two loaves, which were the means of production, and was all they had. He then blessed it, broke it, and distributed it to everyone so they could eat. The Bible says they all ate and were satisfied. In this story, what motivated Jesus to feed them is that he had compassion and did not want to send them away at such a late hour to find food. He knew they would not find it, so he provided it for them at no charge and with no motive for profit.
If you look at the definition of socialism, this type of act would probably best fit in that category. However, remember Jesus was not motivated by a government agenda. He was responding to his compassion for the people.
Was the Early Church a Socialist Organization?
I want you to look at how the early church engaged with each other for a moment. Based on that, I will ask you, “Does this resemble socialism or capitalism?” Consider these two passages from the book of Acts.
All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:44-47)
All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. (Acts 4:32-35)
Again, I don’t want to put a label on this because neither Jesus nor the early church tried to live out a government agenda. The motivation for their actions was compassion and caring for the needs of others.
It is also important to note that they did not force anyone to do this. Those who participated did so of their own free will. This is an important distinction between what they did and the government system or theory we call socialism. In a socialist society, you are obligated, perhaps forced to comply with sharing. Your free will or personal compassion does not factor into the discussion.
However, you can see from scripture that the desires of the early church and the apostles were far different than we often behave today. They were not interested in just storing up treasures on the earth. They were thinking about a greater kingdom. Jesus and those in the early church were motivated by a love for God and people. They placed a higher value on people’s overall welfare than their needs or gains. This is a far cry from where the church in America is today.
Can We Ever Really Answer Whether Jesus Was a Socialist?
The obvious answer to this article’s question is that Jesus was not a socialist because the label did not exist yet. However, that does not mean Jesus was what we would call a capitalist either. His ministry defied our modern labels. Jesus focused solely on the kingdom of heaven and not on building kingdoms here on earth.
If you look at socialism from one aspect, equitable distribution and reducing inequality, then maybe you could say some of Jesus’ teachings align with it. However, ultimately, we must avoid equating any political system with the kingdom of God. No system will ever fully align.
By design, this article is less a political discussion and more food for thought. You may want to do your own research. Writers like Stephen Matson have argued that Christians should favor at least some kinds of socialism. Writers like A.J. Williamson take the opposite view. Publications like Plough Magazine collect many perspectives on how Christians should view sharing resources, money, and other factors in this discussion. Look at the different sides of the argument, and consider the best answer.
Regardless of which answer Christians reach about Jesus and socialism, we must all recognize that no political system completely aligns with the kingdom of God. Here is what you should take from this conversation. Love God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself. Also, don’t think of yourself more highly than you ought to but value others above yourself, and don’t just think of your own needs. If that sounds familiar, it is because these are directions right from God’s word. This should supersede any political ideology, and I assure you this is what Jesus wants you to do.
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