Bible Shocker! Jesus Taught Redistribution........

...... but interestingly, not the kind of redistribution we've been hearing promoted by one of the major political parties. First, read this:

Mat 25:14 "At that time the Kingdom of heaven will be like this. Once there was a man who was about to leave home on a trip; he called his servants and put them in charge of his property.
Mat 25:15 He gave to each one according to his ability: to one he gave five thousand gold coins, to another he gave two thousand, and to another he gave one thousand. Then he left on his trip.
Mat 25:16 The servant who had received five thousand coins went at once and invested his money and earned another five thousand.
Mat 25:17 In the same way the servant who had received two thousand coins earned another two thousand.
Mat 25:18 But the servant who had received one thousand coins went off, dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master's money.
Mat 25:19 "After a long time the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them.
Mat 25:20 The servant who had received five thousand coins came in and handed over the other five thousand. 'You gave me five thousand coins, sir,' he said. 'Look! Here are another five thousand that I have earned.'
Mat 25:21 'Well done, you good and faithful servant!' said his master. 'You have been faithful in managing small amounts, so I will put you in charge of large amounts. Come on in and share my happiness!'
Mat 25:22 Then the servant who had been given two thousand coins came in and said, 'You gave me two thousand coins, sir. Look! Here are another two thousand that I have earned.'
Mat 25:23 'Well done, you good and faithful servant!' said his master. 'You have been faithful in managing small amounts, so I will put you in charge of large amounts. Come on in and share my happiness!'
Mat 25:24 Then the servant who had received one thousand coins came in and said, 'Sir, I know you are a hard man; you reap harvests where you did not plant, and you gather crops where you did not scatter seed.
Mat 25:25 I was afraid, so I went off and hid your money in the ground. Look! Here is what belongs to you.'
Mat 25:26 'You bad and lazy servant!' his master said. 'You knew, did you, that I reap harvests where I did not plant, and gather crops where I did not scatter seed?
Mat 25:27 Well, then, you should have deposited my money in the bank, and I would have received it all back with interest when I returned.
Mat 25:28 Now, take the money away from him and give it to the one who has ten thousand coins.
Mat 25:29 For to every person who has something, even more will be given, and he will have more than enough; but the person who has nothing, even the little that he has will be taken away from him. (Good News Bible)

Interesting, isn't it? This text suggests the lazy man should get nothing and even what he has should be given to the one with the most. How contrary that is to Socialism. In Jesus' scenario, the achiever is rewarded with more. The lazy man was punished.

Let me be clear; Jesus teaches social responsibility. The very next section in Matthew 25 is all about serving those in unfortunate circumstances. That's a biblical principle, too.

But socialism isn't about social responsibility. Socialism is a world view. Part of that world view is an economic system that takes from the achiever and gives not only to the unfortunate, but to the lazy and slothful. Jesus says that we should invest (not just money, but time and abilities as well) and earn interest. We will be rewarded for doing so. Then WE VOLUNTARILY give to the hungry, thirsty, persecuted and sick. The government has no right to determine our priorities. In fact, that's what started the American Revolution. The colonists were suffering high taxation and tariffs and they had no representation in London to argue on their behalf. King George and Parliament just took it. The Constitution of the United States was written to LIMIT the power of Government. This nation was founded on a belief in individual responsibility and individual potential. Those principles still stand and they still work.

Consider this; the Politically and Economically conservative, give more to charity per capita than do the Politically and Economically Liberal. The Income Tax Returns of the current Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates is illustrative. Liberals want to take other peoples money and give it away as they see fit. Conservative give out of personal concern and from the heart.

The Bible is very clear. Christians should look after 'widows and orphans'. But we have no responsibility to look after the lazy. The one who works hard and earns will be rewarded. The wastrel will suffer the consequences. As far as I'm concerned that's the end of the story.

I feel bad for men and women who can't work or take care of themselves. I will do my part to lift them up. But I resent those who are able and milk the system. And the Bible tells me that's ok.