Was Jesus Rich Or Poor
Was Jesus Rich or Poor?
Was Jesus rich or poor? Did Jesus live as a wealthy man during His time here on earth according to the New Testament
Several reasons are offered to prove that Jesus was rich and several reasons are presented to prove that Jesus was poor.Let’s look at some of the reasons people give claiming firstly that Jesus was rich
Was Jesus rich ?
Those who claim that Jesus was rich say:
The wise men from the East made Jesus wealthy at his birth: by quoting Scripture that proves Jesus was the recipient of wealth at his birth.
“In the book of Matthew in Chapter 2:11 the wise men came to him,
11 They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
They would also say that Jesus had so much money that he needed a treasureras described in The New Testament That Judas was the “treasurer” for Jesus and His’ disciples.
And then they would ask
“Why would a band of 12 men need a treasurer if they didn’t have some treasures”
“You only need a treasurer when you have surplus.”
Some also claim that Jesus wore expensive clothes: In John 19:23-24, the Roman soldiers who crucified Jesus are depicted gambling for his “seamless” undergarment.
23 When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they divided his clothes among the four of them. They also took his robe, but it was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. 24 So they said, “Rather than tearing it apart, let’s throw dice[e] for it.” This fulfilled the Scripture that says, “They divided my garments among themselves and threw dice for my clothing.”[f]So that is what they did.They claim that Jesus wore garments that were a “nobleman’s garments.” And would ask “If his clothes were a poor man’s clothes, why would centurions gamble for it?”
Another verse that they would use to prove that Jesus was rich is Mark 14:3-7.
Jesus is dining in the home of Simon the leper in Bethany
3 Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy. While he was eating,[a] a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard(Greek 1 litra 327 grams) . She broke open the jar and poured the perfume over his head.4 Some of those at the table were indignant. “Why waste such expensive perfume?” they asked. 5 “It could have been sold for a year’s wages (Greek for 300 denarii. A denarius was equivalent to a laborer’s full day’s wage.) ) and the money given to the poor!” So they scolded her harshly.6 But Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. Why criticize her for doing such a good thing to me? 7 You will always have the poor among you, and you can help them whenever you want to. But you will not always have me.
They would say Jesus did not count Himself among the poor because He wasn’t poor! Or He was not necessarily wealthy (in natural terms) but Jesus Was Not Poor! — The Disciples Were Not Poor!
Was Jesus poor ?
When you study Scripture you should look for as much proof as you can possibly get about a subject, and always read it in context.
Anyone with an agenda can search through the Bible, find verses that seem to support their bias, string those verses together, formulate an argument and call it biblical and even use it to judge people. However, stringing a few verses together from various parts of the Bible doesn’t make an idea biblical. Without Jesus guiding our reading of the Bible, we will always run the risk of reading something into and out of the Bible that we were never meant to.
Let’s look at what Scripture say about how rich Jesus really was.
This is what I meant when I said read everything in context or cross-refer and check other verses regarding the same thing. The same event that Mark describedMark 14:3-7is told by John in John 12:4-8. Mark did not say who the person was who said “It could have been sold for a year’s wages.Let’s read from verse 4
4 But Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray him, said, 5 “That perfume was worth a year’s wages.( Greek for 300 denarii. A denarius was equivalent to a laborer’s full day’s wage.) It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.” 6 Not that he cared for the poor—he was a thief, and since he was in charge of the disciples’ money, he often stole some for himself
Sondra Wheeler, an ethicistAn ethicist is one whose judgment on ethics and ethical codes has come to be trusted .Following the advice of ethicists is one means of acquiring knowledge
She says that the text doesn’t say that Judas was a treasurer, only that he held the common purse: Neither does the King James nor the New International Version of the Bible call Judas the “treasurer.” The NIV calls him the “keeper of the money bag,” The King James says he “had the bag.” Bible scholars say he held the money not for Jesus but for all the disciples, a common custom of the time for travelling preachers. “To call Judas a treasurer is like looking at two kids who go to the movies and calling the one who holds the money the treasurer,”
Regarding the Roman soldiers gambling for Jesus’ clothes
Roman soldiers gambled for the clothes of many condemned criminals.
Sondra Wheeler also says that in the time of Jesus “It was ordinary for prisoners to be stripped naked and looted by soldiers,” and she says the soldiers also were gambling for the robe Herod placed on Jesus to mock him. “I’m sure that was expensive — he got it from Herod.
Wheeler says.
Jesus did not have a well-paid occupation: The Greek word in Matthew for Jesus’ occupation has been translated into carpenter, but a more accurate translation would change the word to a laborer.
Jesus and his disciples were poor, according to archaeological evidence: Eric Meyers, a professor of archaeology and editor of the Oxford Encyclopedia of Archaeology in the Near East, says he has personally excavated the village of Nazareth where Jesus lived. He pointed out that the Bible says Jesus was so poor that he couldn’t afford his own tomb for his burial. “There is no way to speak of wealth in that context,” he says. “This is living at the margins of society, barely making a livingor an agricultural existence.”
TheNew Testament teaches that Jesus was poor and that he came from a family with limited wealth.
When Jesus was presented in the temple, his parents sacrificed two turtle doves which, according to the Book of Leviticus, was the sacrifice offered by poor people.(Leviticus 12:2-8)8 “If a woman cannot afford to bring a lamb, she must bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons.
When a scribe came to Jesus and declared his intentions to follow him, Jesus said to that man:Matthew 8:20 “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but I, the Son of Man, have no home of my own, not even a place to lay my head”Jesus did not have a home to call his own. As a traveling preacher he probably depended on people like Lazarus and his family and well-to-do admirers to provide for him and his disciples.
In 2 Corinthians 8:9 Paul wrote that Jesus, 9 You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.However, Paul is not speaking about finances but of spiritual matters. Jesus became poor by leaving his riches in heaven and by humbling himself and by becoming a servant of all.
If Jesus was rich then he desires his followers also to be rich.Did Jesus live as a wealthy man during His time here on earth according to the New Testament, He did not.
He was born in a manger (Matthew 1; Luke 2), lived as an immigrant in a foreign country
Matthew 2:13-1513 After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother,” the angel said. “Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”14 That night Joseph left for Egypt with the child and Mary, his mother,15 and they stayed there until Herod’s death. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “I called my Son out of Egypt.”
Jesus suffered and died for His teachings. He even had to borrow a coin to teach about taxesLuke 20:2424 “Show me a Roman coin. Whose picture and title are stamped on it?”“Caesar’s,” they replied.
He did not have a homeMatthew 8:2020 But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.”
He lived in a small townMatthew 2:19-23After the death of Herod the angel told Joseph to return to Israel 23 So the family went and lived in a town called Nazareth. This fulfilled what the prophets had said: “He will be called a Nazarene.”
Jesus performed a miracle in order for Peter to find money to pay their taxesMatthew 17:24-2724 On their arrival in Capernaum, the collectors of the Temple tax came to Peter and asked him, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the Temple tax?”25 “Yes, he does,” Peter replied. Then he went into the house.But before he had a chance to speak, Jesus asked him, “What do you think, Peter?Do kings tax their own people or the people they have conquered?”26 “They tax the people they have conquered,” Peter replied.“Well, then,” Jesus said, “the citizens are free!27 However, we don’t want to offend them, so go down to the lake and throw in a line. Open the mouth of the first fish you catch, and you will find a large silver coin. Take it and pay the tax for both of us.
Where did Jesus get the income He needed to eat and live? In His early adult years, it appears He lived at or near His family’s home in Nazareth, working as a carpenter.
Upon entering His public ministry, He relied on the generosity of others, moving from one location to another as a travelling teacher.
Luke 8:1-3 summarizes this time period:Soon afterward Jesus began a tour of the nearby towns and villages, preaching and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom of God. He took his twelve disciples with him, 2 along with some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases. Among them were Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons; 3 Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s business manager; Susanna; and many others who were contributing from their own resources to support Jesus and his disciples.
Interestingly, Jesus was officially homeless during this time period. As I remarked earlier from Luke 9:5858 But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.”
Instead, He and His followers sometimes slept outside or likely stayed with friends such as Lazarus.Jesus also lived with humble means, even dying for His teachings.
That is why2 Timothy 3:12 teaches,
12 Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
Those who teach that financial giving and faithful living will result in financial prosperity do so in direct contradiction with the teachings of the New Testament.Of course, as God, Jesus is owner of the entire universe.
John 17:5
5 Now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began.
Yet during His earthly life, He chose to live humbly, setting an example for others.
Paul calls believers to follow His example of humility,Philippians 2:5-85 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 6 Though he was God, He did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.
7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form, 8 he humbled himself in obedience to Godand died a criminal’s death on a cross.
Jesus clearly lived a life marked by service to others, not a life marked by wealth and riches.
His followers today can learn much from His example.
As the second person of the Trinity, Jesus is as rich as God is rich. Indeed, our Lord owns everything and possesses all power, authority, sovereignty, glory, honour, and majesty (Isaiah 9:6Micah 5:2John 1:1, 8:58, 10:30, 17:5Hebrews 1:3).
Colossians 1:15-18, 2:9-10
15 Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation,16 for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can seeand the things we can’t see—such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.18 Christ is also the head of the church,which is his body.He is the beginning,supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything.Colossians 2:9-109 For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body.[a]10 So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.
Yet during the time Jesus was here on earth, He willingly relinquished His eternal riches and most of the privileges of His deity. Becoming poor indeed, our Lord took on the nature of a lowly and humble servant
Zechariah 9:9Rejoice, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey—riding on a donkey’s colt.
2 Corinthians 8:9
You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.
Philippians 2:6-8
Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form,8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
And by the time our Saviour endured the tortures of the cross for us, His earthly possessions amounted to no more than the clothes on His back which were divided up by the soldiers who crucified Him.Sadly, however, there are many preachers today who would like you to believe that Jesus was rich while here on earth and that God wants nothing more than to lavish His children with an abundance of material blessings.
However, a materially rich Jesus Christ is utterly incompatible with biblical truth.
Even a cursory examination of the Bible should dispel any notion of our Saviour being wealthy in an earthly sense.
During His public ministry, Christ and His disciples depended entirely on the hospitality of others as they ministered from town to town .
Matthew 10:9-109 “Don’t take any money in your money belts—no gold, silver, or even copper coins. 10 Don’t carry a traveller’s bag with a change of clothes and sandals or even a walking stick. Don’t hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve to be fed.
As Jesus told a would-be follower
Luke 9:58
But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.”
It is unfortunate, then, that this teaching about Christ’s wealth has gained a foothold in churches today. We can see that Paul addressed similar matters in his own churches:.Romans 16:17-1817 And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them.18 Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people.
In Pauls day there were many false teachers and he warned Timothy about them. Paul’s terse commentary in his first letter to Timothy regarding those who think godliness is a means to financial gain captures the essence of Christ’s numerous teachings on the dangers of having a heart that yearns after the accumulation of earthly treasure:
1 Timothy 6:5-10
5 These people always cause trouble. Their minds are corrupt, and they have turned their backs on the truth. To them, a show of godliness is just a way to become wealthy.6 Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.7 After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it.8 So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.9 But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.
Indeed, the New Testament is filled with lessons where Jesus rebuked the rich and praises the poor. Jesus saidLuke 12:1515 Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.” (Abundance of his possessions)Matthew 6:19-2119 “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
Our Lord, who knows the hearts of men, is aware of the deceitfulness of riches and what a considerable stumbling block wealth can be.
The sentiment of Proverb 30:8-9 declares: 8 First, help me never to tell a lie. Second, give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs.9 For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?” And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God’s holy name.
andit reverberates through the entire Word of God.
Therefore, it would be a strange paradox ,—and one that would certainly dilute the gospel message—if Jesus Christ was a member of the rich class of people who, as He declared, would find it so difficult “to enter the kingdom of Heaven” Matthew 19:2323 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
Can we then conclude that Jesus was not a rich man