Over at Boundless, Heather Koerner makes the point that when Jesus talks about “the rich” in his sermons and parables, he’s talking about… us. (“Us,” for the sake of dicussion, being “typical American”—which describes me and most of the Christians I know.) Koerner describes her moment of realization:
...if you and I have sufficient food, decent clothes, live in a house or apartment and have a reasonably reliable means of transportation, we’re among the top 15 percent of the world’s wealthy.That challenges my perspective. After all, I had all those things when I considered myself a “poor as a church mouse” college student. If you had told me then that I was wealthy, I would have probably laughed. But all I could see were those immediately around me. Just as a 6’5” NBA player may feel comparatively short, we may feel comparatively average, less than average or even poor.
But our wealth perspective is skewed….
If I have the education to write this article and the tools to get it to you on
Boundless, there’s just no question that I am the rich. And if you have the education and technology to read it, you are too.
It’s easier to read Jesus’ comments about wealth when we imagine that he’s talking about somebody higher up on the economic ladder than us. But the reality is that if you’re writing or reading a blog today, you are probably closer in terms of economic power and freedom to “the rich” of the Bible than to “the poor.” Does that change the way you read Jesus’ words? Read the full essay; Koerner goes on to make some practical suggestions for Christ-followers who also happen to be “the rich.”
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January 17, 2008 at 20:34
Yes, so true. But who, honestly, can stand that condemnation? Who could make that sacrifice?
January 17, 2008 at 22:43
Hello everyone
This is what i believe when jesus say that we are rich. People look at finances to me that don’t make you rich it’s just a necesseity to get by and through this earthly flesh of our’s. from what i get from him saying that when we awaken with the blood running warm through our veins and the activites of our limps and awaken in our right mind that’s all the riches in the world to me because we could have it all house/cars/money and all the materials in the world but with out health to enjoy it or to spend it what does it really mean. I have seen god open doors for me with out a dime and that right their made me rich in more ways then one. With that said i guess it depends on how the world recieve his word are we looking at rich in the sprit or are we looking at it with the flesh.So remember god said that he own all the houses in the land and we don’t have to want for nothing he don’t lie and he can’t lie.Us as the people how are we looking at it.
January 18, 2008 at 10:41
I would even go further. If we have something we are not willing to give up for the sake of Christ, that in itself becomes riches.
January 18, 2008 at 11:45
If you’d like to see where you rank among the world’s 6.7billion people, try Global Rich List:
http://www.globalrichlist.com/index.php
I just yesterday posted on a similar issue on the Talk blog (intended for non-Christians):
http://talk.thelife.com/blogs/talk/2008/01/17/how-rich-are-you/
January 18, 2008 at 13:50
The “rich” were only condemned when they used their wealth to hurt others, ignored the poor, or put money above serving God. Abraham, Job, Solomon, Joseph of Arimathea, and numerous others had riches. A number of wealthy women helped finance Jesus’ ministry.
There’s an old saying, “Do you have money or does money have you?” Also the scripture is often misquoted as saying that money is the root of all evil. Not so. The love of money is the root of all evil.
I for one refuse to go on a guilt trip for living in America. God put me here for a reason. America has sent disaster relief, famine relief, and all sorts of help to other nations. She’s rescued countries threatened with annihilation.
Nope, not buying into this whole scenario.
January 19, 2008 at 10:19
Those who think this article is meant to put us on a “guilt trip” should follow the link given and read the entire article on the Boundless web site first. It makes some very good points; ones with which you’ll probably agree. Even so, there’s always room for us to be challenged to be more generous. Generosity is a source of joy. There’s no joy in spending more of our wealth on ourselves than is really necessary.
January 19, 2008 at 17:30
I’ve read the article in question. While the author makes some good points, the assumption is that American Christians are selfish and cheap.
I don’t know what circles he runs in, but the believers I know are generous and give sacrifically. The Apostle Paul said it best. He knew how to be in want and how to abound.
It is not up to me to criticize a brother or sister in Christ if they have money. I don’t know how much they give, and it’s none of my business. It’s between them and God. They have to answer to Him, not me.
January 20, 2008 at 03:20
Anna is right that feeling guilty is not what we are called to do. Indeed doing something with the motive of alleviating guilt is ultimately as selfish act.
The true moral guilt comes with self centered living. Feeding the poor, healing the sick and doing things for “the least of these” is something Jesus asked us to do for Him as well as for them. Depending on whose resources God is using and who he wants us to help, other-centeredness might look different from person to person because it involves an attitude as well as an action. The question isn’t “how do you have?” but “is what you have His?”.
January 22, 2008 at 11:14
Lets leave money out of the question. Are you the rich Jesus is talking about? Are you giving of yourself with joyfulness? with no expectations? I know some people in some of the worst situations, but they are some of the richest people I know. They have close family bonds, friends wiling to do whatever is needed to help, somehow they have all the food and clothes and support they could ask for. And they are like the widow who gave her last two coins to temple. They give what they promised and have far more happiness than some of the richest people I’ve see. Witness Hollywood. Yes the LOVE of money is the root of evil for as Jesus says you cannot serve two masters God and money, you can only serve one fully.