Was Jesus a Socialist

There is a significant difference between Socialism and Christ.

Jesus said, "Give to the poor."

The socialist says, "We tax you so we can give it to the poor."

The one is voluntary giving, the laying down one's life (in the form of labor and money). The other is being taxed - that is the money is forcefully taken. I am sure that some will argue this is not forcefully taken but look at what happens if the tax is not paid. It will eventually come to it being taken by force. The tax man will come, then the police (in some form) will come. Either the money or liberty will be forfeited.

Jesus said, "Give to the poor." This act is one that benefits the giver and the recipient. The giver does it out of love and duty. The recipient gets something that is handed to him by a willing giver. That attitude does wonders for both.

The socialist says, "We tax you so we can give it to the poor." The taking of taxes certainly is taking money in a way that the "giver" is generally not a willing participant. In the spirit this taints the money no matter where it is disbursed. The forcible taking places the person giving the money as not being blessed for giving because they are not willingly given. I believe if we willingly give money that goes to taxes that are used to help the poor we have a reward for that just the same as if we gave it privately. And if the person gives the taxes grudgingly there is no reward for it. The way the money is disbursed is degrading to the recipient. They are actually encouraged to lie to get what they need. The system is one that steals from the one taxed and the recipient. It steals money and reward from the taxed and the respect, dignity and at times the honesty and integrity from the recipient.

Jesus never did anything that degraded or stole....

Socialists do it routinely.

Anyone who compares the two as being alike is either a fool or a liar - depending on whether he or she knows the truth or not.