What did Jesus teach about money?
BREAKDOWN
Jesus' teachings on money are multifaceted, emphasizing a radical reorientation of values away from material accumulation towards spiritual priorities and generous stewardship. He consistently warned against the dangers of greed and the love of money, identifying it as a rival master to God. In Matthew 6:24, Jesus states, "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 cannot serve God and Mammon." This declaration highlights the incompatibility of true devotion to God with an idolatrous attachment to wealth. Instead, Jesus exhorted his followers to lay up "treasures in heaven" (Matthew 6:19-21), which are incorruptible and eternal, rather than fleeting earthly possessions. This concept is foundational, encouraging believers to invest in acts of righteousness, compassion, and the advancement of God's kingdom. Furthermore, Jesus taught extensively about the responsibility that comes with wealth, portraying individuals as stewards of God's resources rather than absolute owners. Parables such as the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30) and the Parable of the Minas (Luke 19:11-27) illustrate the expectation of faithful and productive management of entrusted resources. He condemned the rich fool who hoarded his wealth for selfish indulgence (Luke 12:13-21) and challenged the rich young ruler to sell his possessions and follow Him, revealing the man's ultimate allegiance to his riches (Matthew 19:16-26). Conversely, Jesus praised the poor widow who gave all she had, highlighting that the value of a gift is not in its absolute amount but in the sacrifice and heart behind it (Mark 12:41-44). His teachings consistently call for generosity, charity, and a detachment from material possessions, viewing them as tools for ministry and service rather than objects of personal security or self-aggrandizement. Even regarding civil obligations, Jesus affirmed paying taxes, saying, "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God the things that are God's" (Matthew 22:21), implying proper handling of worldly duties while maintaining ultimate allegiance to God.
KEY TERMS
Mammon
A term of Aramaic origin personifying wealth or material possessions, often depicted as a rival master to God.
Stewardship
The theological concept that humans are entrusted by God with the care and management of resources, including money, and are accountable for their use.
treasures in heaven
Spiritual, incorruptible rewards or blessings gained through acts of righteousness and devotion to God, in contrast to perishable earthly wealth.
greed
Excessive desire for wealth or possessions, which Jesus condemned as idolatry and a barrier to spiritual life.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
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 cannot serve God and Mammon.
Matthew 6:19-21
“Don’t lay up treasures for yourselves on the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves don’t break through and steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 25:14-30
For it is like a man, who going into another country, called his own servants, and delivered to them his goods. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one; to each according to his own ability. Then he immediately went on his journey. He who received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. Likewise he who got the two gained another two. But he who received the one went away and dug in the earth, and hid his lord’s money. Now after a long time the lord of those servants came, and settled accounts with them. He who received the five talents came and brought another five talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents. Behold, I have gained another five talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things. I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ He also who received the two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents. Behold, I have gained another two talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things. I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ He who had received the one talent also came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you that you are a harsh man, reaping where you didn’t sow, and gathering where you didn’t scatter. I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the earth. Behold, you have what is yours.’ But his lord answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant. You knew that I reap where I didn’t sow, and gather where I didn’t scatter? You ought therefore to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received back my own with interest. Take away therefore the talent from him, and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who doesn’t have, even that which he has will be taken away. Throw out the worthless servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Luke 19:11-27
As they heard these things, he went on to tell a parable, because he was near Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the Kingdom of God was immediately to appear. He said therefore, “A certain nobleman went into a far country, to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. He called ten servants of his, and gave them ten minas, and told them, ‘Conduct business until I come.’ But his citizens hated him, and sent an envoy after him, saying, ‘We don’t want this man to reign over us.’ “When he had returned, having received the kingdom, he commanded these servants, to whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by trading. The first came before him, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.’ He said to him, ‘Well done, you good servant! Because you were found faithful in a very small matter, you shall have authority over ten cities.’ The second came, saying, ‘Your mina, Lord, has made five minas.’ He also said to him, ‘You also be over five cities.’ Another came, saying, ‘Lord, behold, your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief; for I was afraid of you, because you are an exact man: you take up that which you didn’t lay down, and reap that which you didn’t sow.’ He said to him, ‘Out of your own mouth will I judge you, you wicked servant! You knew that I am an exact man, taking up that which I didn’t lay down, and reaping that which I didn’t sow? Then why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank, and at my coming, I might have collected it with interest?’ He said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina away from him, and give it to him who has the ten minas.’ (They said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten minas!’) ‘For I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given; but from him who doesn’t have, even that which he has will be taken away. But as for these enemies of mine who didn’t want me to reign over them, bring them here, and kill them before me.’”
Luke 12:13-21
One of the multitude said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or an arbitrator over you?” He said to them, “Beware! Keep yourselves from all covetousness, for a man’s life doesn’t consist of the abundance of the things which he possesses.” 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 19:16-26
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 want to 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. Jesus said to his disciples, “Most certainly I say to you, it will be hard for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. 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.” When the disciples heard it, they were exceedingly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” Looking at them, Jesus said, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Mark 12:41-44
Jesus sat down opposite the treasury, and saw how the multitude cast money into the treasury. Many who were rich cast in much. A poor widow came, and she cast in two small brass coins, which make a quadrans. He called his disciples to himself, and said to them, “Most certainly I tell you, this poor widow gave more than all those who are putting money into the treasury, for they all gave out of their abundance, but she, out of her poverty, gave all that she had to live on.”
Matthew 22:21
They said to him, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.”
ORIGINAL LANGUAGE ANALYSIS
μαμωνᾷ
Mammon
Definitionriches, wealth, material possessions
θησαυρούς
treasure
Definitiona store, treasury, treasure
πλούσιος
rich
Definitionwealthy, abundant in resources
οἰκονόμος
steward
Definitiona manager of a household or estate, a steward
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
The economic landscape of 1st-century Judea and Galilee under Roman rule was characterized by significant socioeconomic disparities and a complex system of taxation. Roman taxation included a land tax (tributum soli), a head tax (tributum capitis), and various customs duties and tolls (portoria), often collected by Jewish tax collectors (publicans) who were despised for their collaboration with the occupiers and perceived corruption. The Temple in Jerusalem also collected its own annual half-shekel tax, and functioned as a significant economic hub, handling large sums of money, donations, and sacrifices. Money changers operated within the Temple courts to facilitate the exchange of foreign currency for acceptable Temple coinage. Agricultural production was the backbone of the economy, but droughts and Roman requisitions often led to widespread poverty and debt, leaving many vulnerable. Wealth was concentrated among a small elite, including aristocratic priests, Sadducees, and Herodians, while the majority of the population struggled. Against this backdrop, Jesus' teachings directly challenged the prevailing values, criticizing the rich who exploited the poor and urging a kingdom-focused redistribution and detachment from material possessions, which often served as symbols of status and security in a precarious world.
THEOLOGICAL INSIGHT
Jesus' teachings fundamentally redefine humanity's relationship with money, moving it from an object of ultimate pursuit or security to a tool for divine service and a test of spiritual allegiance. The core theological insight is that God alone is worthy of ultimate devotion, and any undue affection for material wealth ('Mammon') constitutes idolatry. Wealth, therefore, is not inherently evil, but its improper use or the love of it creates a spiritual barrier to the Kingdom of God. True wealth, according to Jesus, lies in spiritual riches and investment in eternal values, expressed through generosity, justice, and compassion, reflecting a heart aligned with God's priorities. This stewardship perspective underscores humanity's temporary custodianship of God's resources, emphasizing accountability for how those resources are managed and deployed for His glory and the good of others.
COMMENTARY SYNTHESIS
Rashi (on Deuteronomy 8:17-18) (Jewish)
The wealth one acquires is a gift from God, and therefore one should remember that it is not by one's own power or strength of hand that this wealth was made, but by God's blessing. This underpins the Jewish concept of tzedakah (righteous giving) and the understanding that material possessions are ultimately from God.
Augustine of Hippo (Sermon on Matthew 6:24) (Christian)
Augustine stressed that one cannot love God and Mammon simultaneously because love of money divides the heart. He argued that Mammon signifies earthly gain, and one who cleaves to it turns away from the true source of all good. He distinguished between possessing money and being possessed by it.
John Calvin (Institutes of the Christian Religion) (Christian)
Calvin emphasized the doctrine of 'stewardship,' arguing that believers are not absolute owners of their possessions but rather administrators of God's resources. He believed that all of life, including economic activity, should be directed towards God's glory and the common good, advocating for industry, frugality, and charity.
Clement of Alexandria (Who Is the Rich Man That Shall Be Saved?) (Early Church Father)
Clement offered a nuanced view, asserting that Jesus' command to the rich young ruler was not a universal requirement to renounce all possessions, but rather to remove the 'thorn' of wealth from that particular man's heart. He argued that it is not the possession of wealth, but the inordinate affection for it, that impedes salvation. The rich can be saved if they use their wealth charitably and detach their hearts from it.
Matthew Henry (Commentary on Matthew 6:19-21) (Christian)
Henry expounded on the wisdom of laying up treasures in heaven, noting that earthly treasures are uncertain, perishing, and dangerous to the soul. Heavenly treasures, however, are secure and draw the heart towards God, encouraging believers to seek eternal rather than temporal rewards.