· Jesus was raised in business
environment – fully acquainted with business.
· Jesus ran His own business –
carpentry and understood what it takes to succeed.
· Common misconception:
- God despises rich people
- Christians can’t handle success, money
· Bias among Christians against
wealth, rich people.
Example:
Missions – Uganda OK, Hawaii No! Flaxmere OK, Beverly Hills No!
Ex business people – Christians avoid and focus on poor and needy; intimidated.
Truth:
i)Bible warns about misuse of wealth/money: 1
Timothy 6:17-19
ii)Bible clear that God loves the world: John 3:16 “God
so loved the world that who so ever …”
· Jesus equally loved and
ministered to poor and to rich.
Luke 18-19 Jesus at Jericho ministered to
both poor and rich
a) Blind Bartimaeus (Luke 18:35)
· Bartimaeus = beggar, poor –
neediest man in town.
· People rejoiced and celebrated
when he was healed/blessed (Luke 18:43).
· People celebrated when his need
was met.
b) Zacchaeus
(Luke 19:2)
· Zacchaeus = wealthiest man in
town.
· Business man who prospered.
· People angry, reacted to Jesus’
acceptance and blessing Him (Luke 19:7).
· People found it easy to believe
poor deserved miracle, God’s help.
· People openly despised rich man
– called him sinner – Jesus never did.
· People found easier to believe
rich man is greater sinner, less deserving.
c) NZ Attitude to Rich
· “Poor are
most deserving”.
· Roots of envy, bitterness, tall
poppy syndrome, ‘all equal’.
· Person who prospers is
considered “corrupt, less deserving”.
· Luke 19:9-10 This
man (Zaccheaus) also (as well as Bartimaeus).
· Both in
equal need of salvation
· Jesus confronted a clear
prejudice against rich, successful people.
· Confronted mindset; God wants
to help poor not rich.
· Mindset: Poor people more
deserving – rich can take care of self.
· Note: Jesus came to seek
both!! Poor and rich alike need salvation.
· Jesus seeks Bill Gates as well
as poor widow!
Luke
19:11: Jesus added and spoke a parable
· ·To
address crowds prejudice against rich.
· ·To
make clear – Kingdom manifests progressively in all cities through world.
Luke
19:12: Parable of nobleman going to a far country to receive kingdom and return
· ·Jesus = nobleman who entrusted
money/resources to His servants.
· ·Citizens rejected and rebelled
against him – hostile to the king and kingdom.
· ·His servants prospered in
business in spite of hostile environment.
· ·His servants rewarded by
authority over cities on his return directly on basis of return on investment.
Note:
Key issues that Jesus raises
i) Servants loyal to Jesus need to
enter market place and use whatever He has given them to gain authority in
spite of hostile opposition.
ii) King’s servants prospered
because work place given them was essentially good.
iii) King disappointed in servant
who failed to invest or even have savings account.
iv) Kings approval on basis of servants willingness to use capital entrusted to him in
spite of opposition.
v) Kings reward was authority over
cities as result of business’ success on his behalf – proper use of wealth.
Luke
19:8-9: Impact of his actions overlooked
i) Gave to the poor generously
ii) Restitution generously where any financial injustice done
· Consider impact in nation if
people did this!
· Zaccheaus’ wealth came under
power and authority of Jesus Christ.
· Wealth was used to advance the
Kingdom of God.
· Note: Zaccheaus would
have been one of first to receive.
· Zaccheaus understood wealth
entrusted for purpose – extend kingdom of God and cause of Christ – bless
people.
· c.f.
New Testament Church – Acts 4:34-35.
Luke 18:22-23: Rich young ruler
· Young man owned much property
(Mark 10:22) and was very rich (Luke18:23).
· Jesus felt love and compassion
for him (Mark 10:21).
· Key issue = man’s life was
controlled by money.
· Why Jesus tell
him to sell and give to poor?
· Because wealth
evil and poverty good?
· Because
willing to trust God as source and replenishes of wealth as means to bless
people.
· Note: Young man viewed
wealth as means to prop up insecurity and establish identity rather than as means
to benefit the poor.