“Going For Broke”

Monday, August 05, 2013

People seem to think that Jesus was a poor man who had very little.  Most of it stems from His verse about the rich man, camel, and the eye of a needle (Matt 19:24).  The wise men bestowed baby Jesus with great gifts.  After He died for our sins, the Romans cast lots for His robe.  Did the Romans like wearing rags, or did Jesus have some nice things?  I argue this with atheists who have contempt for rich christians.  They think all christians should be penniless.  I myself am jobless, yet I have been given an opportunity for further education.  It is hand-to-mouth, but I am happy and content.  Do you think the government should take people’s money and redistribute it, or is it man's free will?  My question is: was Jesus poor?

Sincerely,
Savings & Trust

Dear Savings & Trust,

We will tactfully sidestep your political question and leave that for a website dedicated to such matters, but we can comfortably answer your question regarding Jesus’ economic state.  Jesus was poor.  When Jesus preached, He was supported by benevolent women (Lk 8:1-3).  Jesus was the child of poor parents.  When the baby Jesus was presented at the temple, His parents made a sacrifice of two turtledoves (Lk 2:22-24).  Turtledoves were only allowed to be used as an offering if the parents were impoverished (Lev 12:5-8).

However, just because Jesus was poor doesn’t mean that He didn’t have a few nice things… like the robe you mentioned (Jhn 19:23-24).  It also doesn’t mean that Jesus requires all faithful people to be poor.  Solomon was faithful, and he was very wealthy (2 Chr 1:11-12).  It isn’t money that is sinful; it is the love of money (also known as greed) that is evil (1 Tim 6:10).  As you mentioned, contentment is the key (Heb 13:5)… as well as a willingness to give of what you have (2 Cor 8:12, 2 Cor 9:7).

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