What did Jesus teach about money?
BREAKDOWN
Jesus' teachings on money are multifaceted, emphasizing stewardship, generosity, and a profound warning against its idolatrous potential. He consistently presented money not as inherently evil, but as a dangerous master if pursued for its own sake, famously stating, "No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can't serve God and Mammon" (Luke 16:13; Matthew 6:24). This teaching underscores that ultimate allegiance cannot be divided between God and material wealth. Rather than advocating for absolute poverty, Jesus called for a detachment from wealth, seeing it as a tool to be used for the kingdom of God and for aiding the poor. He instructed his followers to "Sell that which you have, and give gifts of mercy. Make for yourselves purses that don't grow old, a treasure in the heavens that doesn't fail, where no thief approaches, neither moth destroys" (Luke 12:33). This highlights an eternal perspective, where earthly possessions are temporary and secondary to heavenly rewards. Furthermore, Jesus frequently warned against the deceitfulness of riches and the spiritual peril of greed. He told the parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:16-21), who hoarded his wealth only to die unexpectedly, illustrating the futility of earthly accumulation without regard for God. His encounter with the rich young ruler (Matthew 19:16-22; Mark 10:17-22; Luke 18:18-23) demonstrated that for some, wealth could be an insurmountable obstacle to following Christ wholeheartedly. Jesus' stark statement, "It is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God" (Mark 10:25; Matthew 19:24), further emphasizes the difficulty wealth can present when it becomes a source of security or identity apart from God. Ultimately, Jesus taught that money should be a servant, not a master, to be used sacrificially and generously in alignment with God's will and the needs of others, securing an "eternal treasure" rather than fleeting earthly gain.
KEY TERMS
Mammon
Aramaic term personified by Jesus as wealth or material possessions, often implying the pursuit of riches as a god.
stewardship
The biblical concept that believers are managers, not owners, of the resources God entrusts to them, and are accountable for their use.
greed
An excessive desire for more than one needs or deserves, particularly concerning material wealth, which Jesus strongly condemned as a form of idolatry.
eternal treasure
Spiritual rewards and blessings that are stored in heaven, enduring forever, contrasting with temporary earthly wealth.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
Luke 16:13
No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can’t serve God and Mammon.”
Matthew 6:24
No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can’t serve God and Mammon.
Luke 12:33
Sell that which you have, and give gifts of mercy. Make for yourselves purses that don’t grow old, a treasure in the heavens that doesn’t fail, where no thief approaches, neither moth destroys.
Luke 12:16-21
He spoke a parable to them, saying, “The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully. He reasoned within himself, saying, ‘What will I do, because I don’t have room to store my fruits?’ He said, ‘This is what I will do. I will pull down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. I will tell my soul, ‘Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years. Take your ease, eat, drink, be merry.’’ But God said to him, ‘You foolish one, tonight your soul is required of you. The things which you have prepared—whose will they be?’ So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”
Matthew 19:16-22
Behold, one came to him and said, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” He said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but one, that is, God. But if you would enter into life, keep the commandments.” He said to him, “Which ones?” Jesus said, “You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not give false testimony. Honor your father and your mother. And, you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The young man said to him, “All these things I have observed from my youth. What still do I lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell that which you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” But when the young man heard the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he was one who had great possessions.
Mark 10:17-22
As he was going out into the way, one ran to him, knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but one—God. You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not give false testimony,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and mother.’” He said to him, “Teacher, I have observed all these things from my youth.” Jesus looking at him loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack. Go, sell whatever you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” But his face fell at that saying, and he went away sorrowful, for he was one who had great possessions.
Luke 18:18-23
A certain ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good, except one—God. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not give false testimony,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’” He said, “I have observed all these things from my youth up.” When Jesus heard these things, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have, and distribute it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Come, follow me.” But when he heard these things, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich.
Mark 10:25
It is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God.”
Matthew 19:24
Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God.”
ORIGINAL LANGUAGE ANALYSIS
Μαμωνᾶς
Mammon
DefinitionWealth, riches, property, money.
θησαυρός
Treasure
DefinitionA place for storing valuables; also, the valuables themselves, riches.
πλούσιος
Rich
DefinitionWealthy, abounding in possessions.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
The economic landscape of 1st-century Judea and Galilee, where Jesus taught, was marked by significant disparity. Roman occupation introduced a complex taxation system, including direct taxes (tributum soli on land, tributum capitis on persons) and indirect taxes (customs duties, market tolls), often collected by corrupt tax collectors (*telones*) who were despised by the Jewish populace. This system, coupled with Roman economic policies, led to widespread poverty among the common people, while a small elite, including certain landowners, merchants, and those collaborating with the Roman authorities or temple establishment, accumulated substantial wealth. Bartering was common, but Roman, Greek, and local currencies circulated, such as denarii, drachmas, and lepta. The Temple in Jerusalem also served as a financial hub, with its own treasury and money changers facilitating currency exchange for temple offerings. Against this backdrop of economic tension and social hierarchy, Jesus' teachings challenged the prevailing cultural values that often equated wealth with divine favor, instead calling for a radical reorientation towards God's kingdom and the needs of the marginalized. His parables often drew from everyday economic realities, making his message deeply resonant with his audience.
THEOLOGICAL INSIGHT
Jesus' theological discourse on money transcends mere financial advice; it is a profound commentary on the human heart's capacity for idolatry and the ultimate purpose of human existence. By positioning 'Mammon' as a rival master to God, Jesus reveals that how one relates to material possessions is a litmus test for one's allegiance to the divine. The Kingdom of God, a central theme in Jesus' teaching, demands a radical reordering of priorities where material wealth is seen not as an end in itself, but as a temporary resource to be stewarded for eternal purposes. This stewardship involves active generosity, caring for the poor, and investing in 'heavenly treasure' that endures. The challenge of wealth, as Jesus taught, lies in its capacity to foster self-reliance, pride, and a false sense of security, thereby hindering genuine dependence on God and entry into His Kingdom. Thus, Jesus calls for spiritual poverty and radical generosity, not merely as ethical ideals, but as essential expressions of faith in a God who owns all things and provides for His children.
COMMENTARY SYNTHESIS
Rashi (Jewish)
While Rashi's commentaries focus on the Hebrew Bible, his insights into the concepts of wealth and righteousness in the Torah provide a foundational understanding. For instance, on Deuteronomy 8:18 ('but you shall remember the LORD your God: for it is he who gives you power to get wealth'), Rashi emphasizes that wealth is a blessing from God, given to enable one to fulfill His commandments and serve Him. This perspective aligns with Jesus' teaching that wealth itself is not evil, but its source and purpose must be oriented towards God.
Clement of Alexandria (Early Church Father)
In his treatise 'Who is the Rich Man That Shall Be Saved?', Clement of Alexandria (c. 150-215 AD) argues that Jesus' command to the rich young ruler to 'sell all' should not be interpreted as a literal and universal mandate for all believers to dispose of their possessions. Instead, Clement proposes that the essence of Jesus' teaching lies in divesting oneself of the *passions* for wealth, renouncing the *love* of money, and freeing the soul from its bondage to worldly goods, thus being 'rich in God'.
John Calvin (Christian)
Calvin, in his Institutes of the Christian Religion and commentaries, frequently addresses the topic of wealth. He asserts that riches are gifts from God, to be used for His glory and for the benefit of neighbors. He strongly condemned avarice and prodigality, advocating for moderation, frugality, and particularly charity. For Calvin, material possessions are entrusted to believers as stewards, who will give an account of their use to God, reflecting Jesus' emphasis on stewardship and accountability.
Matthew Henry (Christian)
Matthew Henry, commenting on Matthew 6:24, emphasizes that serving 'God and Mammon' is an absolute impossibility because their demands are directly opposed. He states that God requires the heart, but Mammon demands it too, thus illustrating the exclusive claim each master makes. Henry further notes that the 'service of Mammon' is not just the love of money, but also the love of the world and the things in it, which draws the heart away from God.