Was He or Wasn't He
I’ve seen numerous posts and articles about how Jesus was a socialist. Close family members told me the same thing. Their facts bore it out, and yet, it didn’t feel quite right.
The most common example used is the wealthy young man who came to Jesus and told Him about all the good and right things he did. He then asked Jesus, “What more can I do?”
Jesus replied, “Go and sell all that you have and follow me.” Jesus follows up that the young man was an example of why the rich would have trouble getting into heaven.
Ha! Proof Jesus was socialist.
Actually, no. Not even close.
It was never about the money. Ever. It was about pride.
The young man already thought he was doing all he needed to do. I imagine he expected Jesus to offer the “well done thou good and faithful servant” accolades or maybe some small point he was missing. He wanted all the i dots and every crossed t. He wanted to be sure he was already doing everything right. He wanted validation.
Jesus wanted more. Jesus wanted the young man’s soul.
If the young man had been truly sincere, he would never have asked what more; he would have looked for what more he could do.
Jesus always says “Follow me.” He gives general directions and expects His followers to do whatever they are able.
A good example is the woman who bathed Jesus’ feet with her tears and anointed Him with oil. Jesus did not ask it of her. She searched her soul for what more she could do. Judas wasn’t wrong about the cost of the oil being better used for feeding the poor. Judas was wrong for judging the woman’s desire to serve her Lord and Savior. Judas was wrong for condemning the woman’s best effort in giving all she could when he himself was withholding money from the ministry for himself.
Jesus doesn’t lay down laws of giving that everyone must follow. Jesus says, “Follow me,” and then allows each of us to learn for ourselves what that means in our lives.
