Christian and Wealth

 

On the subject of economic issues, the Bible is not silent and it is not a matter of private interpretation. We try to believe that Jesus did not address practical economic questions.

 

The biblical injunctions against the exploitation of the poor and the accumulation of wealth are clear and straightforward. The Bible challenges nearly every economic value of contemporary society. For example, the Old Testament takes exception to the popular notion of an absolute right to private property. Leviticus 25:23 "The land shall not be sold in perpetuity, for the land is mine. For you are strangers and sojourners with me.  The Old Testament legislation of the year of Jubilee stipulated that all land was to revert back to its original owner. In fact, the Bible states that wealth itself belongs to the God, and one purpose of the year of Jubilee was to provide a regular redistribution of wealth. Such a radical view of economics flies in the face of nearly all contemporary belief and practice.  Had Israel faithfully observed the Jubilee it would have eliminated the perennial problem of the rich becoming richer and the poor becoming poorer.

 

The bible deals decisively with the spirit of slavery that an idolatrous attachment to wealth brings. "if riches increase, set not your heart on them." Psalm 62:10. The tenth commandment is against covetousness, the inner lust to have, which leads to stealing and oppression. Solomon wrote, "Whoever trusts in his riches will fall,

but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf." Proverbs 11:28.

 

Jesus spoke against materialism of his day and presumably of our day. The Aramaic term for wealth is "mammon" and Jesus condemns it as a rival God. "No servant 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." He speaks frequently and unambiguously to economic issues.  He says ""Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God." … "…woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation." Luke 6: 20, 24.