Oh You Poor Rich Folk
by Linden Wolfe
Our culture is obsessed with money and material possessions. Economic ideologies prey upon our passionate pursuit of wealth and the accumulation of belongings. Money is worshipped as the means for finding joy and fulfillment. Our wealth has become the measure of our worth. Just turn on CNBC. Listen to Jim Cramer’s Mad Money show. Money, wealth, and the accumulation thereof is a religion. It meets the criteria – worshipers and the worshipped – man and money. In this sect it’s bad to be poor and grand to be rich! How quickly we forget the admonishment of Jesus that, "what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God". (Luke 16:15)Tragically, cult-like popular factions of the contemporary church are preaching a similar message. I believe much of it to be heretical. Even if it’s not so blatant, the western church tends to be just as materialistic as the world even when we are commanded to be "in the world but not of the world". We desperately cling to "our stuff" and our 401K portfolios become our idea of security. Is it bad to be poor and good to be rich or is it the other way around? So what was Jesus’ input in the wealthy versus poor question?
There is much debate as to the socio-economic status of Jesus. However, there is consensus on one thing – He was not rich. At least not by this culture’s definition - "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich". (2 Corinthians 8:9) Beyond that, we see that His ministry targeted under-privileged and common folks (It was, by the way, not the Social Gospel). Did Jesus really avoid and reprimand the elite and showed extraordinary love and grace toward the peasants of His day? Here are some thoughts:
Jesus was acquainted with poverty. His mother claimed to be of low estate (Luke 1:48). He was born in a manger (cow stall) on loan (Luke 2:7). He never owned a home or had a permanent residence once His ministry began (Matthew 8:20). He was even buried in a borrowed tomb (John 19:38-42).
In His ministry He targeted the poor and the disadvantage (Luke 14:21). He was anointed to preach to the poor (Luke 4:18). He uniquely recognized their spiritual hunger.
He encouraged worldly poverty by the divestiture of material possessions (Luke12:22, 31-34). He spoke of the storing up treasures that had permanent value (Matthew 6:19-21).
Jesus often criticized the rich (Luke 6:24). He warned them of the spiritual consequences of the rabid accumulation of money and material passions. He even saw them in jeopardy of eternal condemnation because of their love of money (Luke 18:24-25).
Granted, there is no inherent virtue in poverty. Jesus is not suggesting that. Likewise, there is not inherent virtue in wealth. However, the obsessive pursuit of material possessions and wealth does have some inherent spiritual dangers. That is clear from scripture. Our preoccupation with the tangible and temporal dangles us far too close to spiritual blindness and death. We can not serve God and money. Only one will be our master.
We do well to remember the practical and clear words of James, "Hear this, my beloved brothers, Has God not chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he has promised to them that love him"? (James 2:5) What will we consider our treasure and security – Him or possessions? Are we willing to become poor for His sake? Do we really love Him enough to follow His example and forsake our empty lust for stuff? John says it this way, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him". (1John 2:15)
We have a clear choice – the pursuit of the eternal spiritual or the pursuit of the temporary tangible. What will it be? Our destinies may hang in the balance.
