For those who think Jesus is a Socialist….

There are some who would argue that when Jesus told the young man to sell everything, give it to the poor, and follow Him (Jesus); that is an indication that Jesus embraced socialism.  Now if that is the only Scripture you look at then I could see how you might come to that conclusion.

However, as I have said many times, Scripture is a book of balance and it has to be taken in its entirety.  In addition I have also written my belief that God and Jesus are always in agreement.  I have also written about how our rewards in Heaven are based on merit.  (Salvation is free, rewards are earned).  Basing our rewards in Heaven on merit certainly is not a socialist construct. 

So take a look at the Parable of the 10 virgins.

Matthew 25:1-13(NKJV)

“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 

Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 

Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, 

but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 

But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.

“And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ 

Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 

And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 

But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ 

And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.

“Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ 

But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’

“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.

Notice that Jesus didn't say "You virgins with the oil, give some of your oil to those virgins who need some."  Jesus didn't say that did He?  Nope.  Jesus told the unprepared virgins to go buy their own oil and admonished them for not being prepared.

Jesus didn't condemn the prepared virgins for not sharing their oil did he?  Nope, Jesus held them up as the example to emulate.

So where does that leave us?  Here is my take on it.  Jesus wants us to be willing to surrender all that we are and everything we have to Him.  But Jesus also wants us to act responsibly and be prepared. 

Once again, the Bible is a book of balance!