Bryan Fischer of the American Family Association argues that Jesus Christ was a capitalist. He cites the parable of the talents as evidence that Jesus rewards people based on merit. He writes:
“There is not a breath here in this story of the importance of equality of outcome. In fact, quite the reverse. Jesus had no intention of having everyone wind up at the same level of income, authority or responsibility. This businessman believed in equality of opportunity but not in equality of result. Outcome was not dictated by government regulation but rather determined by individual initiative and skill.”
Fischer continues:
“Jesus’ businessman would surely agree with the Founders who said that one of our inalienable rights is the “pursuit of happiness.” Notice that nowhere did they guarantee the achievement of happiness. The political structure, in their view, is there to create circumstances under which each of us, with minimal government interference, can pursue happiness based on ability, hard work, good judgment, perseverance, education, training and ambition, all of which will vary significantly from one individual to the next.”
I don’t buy it. If Jesus were a capitalist, he would have blessed the money changers in the temple. He would have told the rich, young ruler to keep his possessions. He would have told the man at the pool to work harder. He would have told the parable of the “foolish Samaritan.” He would have chastised the widow for giving only a mite. He would have praised the boy for bringing his lunch, and rebuked the five thousand for not buying their own food. He would have preached, “Don’t give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, because it’s really your money and Caesar just wants to distribute the wealth.” He would have preached that it is easier for the wealthy to inherit the Kingdom of God than for a camel to go through the eye of a needle.
If Jesus were a capitalist, we would not be saved by grace.
Jim Y. Trammell's Blog 
Interesting post. I have no problem with social programs myself, but I’m very familiar with this “God favors capitalism” viewpoint, and they would have responses to most of these points.
Most likely Jesus was not making broad comments about economic systems in general, and so it is all a matter of inference. But conservative Christian economists (not televangelists or whoever) would tend to say:
1. It is perfectly fine for individuals to use their money generously (Good Samaritan, boy with loaves and fishes), and in fact it is a Biblical requirement to help the poor through donations. But this is different from state-mandated giving.
2. It is bad if you earn your wealth unethically (moneychangers ripping people off, tax extortionists).
3. It is bad if you pursue money and protect wealth at the expense of your obligations to God and the community. (Rich young ruler, wealthy man with the barns, etc.)
4. There are parables which seem to assume a capitalist-type viewpoint — workers in the vineyard who all get paid the same at the end of the day, and the owner tells the complainers, “It’s my money, can’t I do what I want with it.”
Having said all that, in this day and age when we know that private charity is not going to be adequate for taking care of the poor or equipping them for opportunities, etc., Christian *liberals* don’t have a problem with taxation and social programs.
But I just think this is a very interesting and complex question.
Mike