3 Things Jesus (Never) Said About Money, Wealth, and Possessions
You may have heard the statistic that Jesus spoke more about money and possessions than any other topic during His earthly ministry. While some debate the accuracy of this claim, it’s undeniable that Jesus had much to say on the subject.
1. Jesus Never Said That Wealthy People Can’t Enter Heaven
In Matthew 19, following His interaction with the Rich Young Ruler, Jesus reflects and says, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:23-26).
This passage reminds me of Ezekiel, where God speaks of removing the heart of stone and giving Israel a heart of flesh. Similarly, Paul talks about how we are circumcised not outwardly, but in our hearts, set apart for God’s glory. On our own, it is impossible to change the human heart. But by the power of God, we can overcome the deception of wealth and the enticements of this world that pull us away from our relationship with Him.
2. Jesus Never Said Wealth or Riches Are Bad
Many people view the story of the Rich Young Ruler as Jesus setting a standard for how believers should live. Jesus told the man that if he wanted to be ‘perfect,’ he should go and give all his possessions to the poor. While Jesus asked this man to part with his worldly wealth, it doesn’t mean that all believers must completely reject financial gain if and when it comes. This specific story highlights a personal struggle for the man, which is why he went away sad.
The Old Testament is saturated with righteous men of God blessed with wealth and riches. From Abraham, who was so wealthy that he had to part ways with his nephew, Lot, to Solomon, who had more wealth than anyone else recorded in history, where silver was considered worthless because it was so common (1 Kings 10:21). If God deemed riches evil, why would He bless His righteous people with financial wealth?
Jesus did not say that money, wealth, or possessions were bad. Instead, he said that the love of these things puts us at risk of wavering from our faith.
A few of Jesus’ statements include:
“And others are the ones sown among thorns. They are those who hear the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful” (Mark 4:18-19).
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money” (Matthew 6:24).
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).
Paul echoes this in 1 Timothy 6:10: “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”
3. Jesus Didn’t Say the Tithe Was Irrelevant
One of the most common debates related to the validity of modern-day tithing is the notion that it’s “Old Testament Law.” If this was an Old Testament practice of the Israelites, didn’t it go away, like animal sacrifices? While Jesus was vocal about the issue of money and possessions, he never specifically taught about giving a tithe. Many take this silence as irrelevancy. But when we take a closer look at what Jesus did say during his earthly ministry, we can get a good idea of his stance.
In Matthew 5, Jesus says, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:17-20).
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus elevates the expectations of Old Testament laws. For example, He extends adultery to not only the physical act but even the internal thought. Through this teaching, we see Jesus holds our hearts accountable, not just our physical actions.
Applying this mindset to the concept of tithing, we should not only follow the practice but also set our hearts on the Lord as an act of worship.
Jesus also says in Matthew 23: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!” (Matthew 23:23-24).
So What DID Jesus Say About Money, Wealth, and Possessions?
Jesus' teachings on money, wealth, and possessions point us to the Kingdom of God, which starkly contrasts our relationship with this world and our relationship with God. As he constantly tries to bring His people closer to the Father, his ultimate goal is to remove the barriers that would hinder us from that relationship. He consistently emphasized that our relationship with material things should be secondary to our relationship with God.
In summary, Jesus tells us:
Seek First the Kingdom of God
Jesus made it clear that the priority for His followers should be the Kingdom of God. In Matthew 6:33, He said, "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." This teaching highlights that when we focus on God's Kingdom—His purposes, His righteousness—our material needs will be taken care of by God. It’s a call to trust in God's provision rather than being consumed by our desire for wealth and material gain.
Use Wealth Wisely for Eternal Purposes
In the parable of the shrewd manager (Luke 16:8-9), Jesus commended the manager for his shrewdness in using resources wisely, even though he had been dishonest. The lesson here is that Jesus encourages His followers to use worldly wealth in a way that has eternal significance. This could mean using our resources to bless others, to support the work of the Kingdom, and to build relationships that have lasting, eternal impact.
Wealth Is a Test of Faithfulness
Jesus also taught us that how we manage wealth is a test of our faithfulness. In Luke 16:10-11, He says, "One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?" Here, Jesus is making it clear that our stewardship of material resources is indicative of our ability to handle greater spiritual responsibilities.
Do Not Worry About Material Needs
In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus encourages His followers not to worry about their material needs, such as food, drink, and clothing. He reminds them that God, who provides for the birds of the air and the lilies of the field, will surely provide for His people. This teaching is a call to trust in God's provision and to live a life free from the anxiety that often accompanies the pursuit of wealth.
Conclusion
In summary, Jesus' teachings on money, wealth, and possessions challenge us to live with an eternal perspective. He didn't condemn wealth itself, but He warned against the dangers of loving money and allowing it to take precedence over our relationship with God. He called His followers to be faithful stewards of the resources they have, using them to further God's Kingdom and to bless others.
As we navigate our own relationship with money and possessions, we should continually ask ourselves: Are we seeking first the Kingdom of God? Are we using our resources in ways that honor Him? And are we trusting in His provision, or are we being swayed by the enticements of material wealth?
By aligning our hearts and actions with Jesus' teachings, we can live lives that reflect the values of the Kingdom of God, where true riches are found not in earthly wealth, but in our relationship with Him.
For Further Reading
3 Giving Conversations to Have with Members
Why Churches Should Leverage Teaching on Investing to NextGen as a Discipleship Opportunity
Diagnosing the Health of Church Giving
How Do I Grow Generosity at My Church?
3 Church Leadership Conversations on Giving
Stewarding Your Calling and Purpose
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