Money is a very tricky resource. The “love of money….” does its evil work on both the haves and the have-nots. Jesus spoke more about this challenge that he did heaven. Our first Gospel presents a case study of re-learning about money from a kingdom of God point of view.
Jesus invited Matthew, an employee of the occupying Roman government who was charged with the collection of taxes, to “Follow me….learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy…’” (Mtt. 9:9-13) What could that possibly mean to an unscrupulous professional tax collector?
One way of learning Matthew’s perception and response to Jesus’ very new idea is to read Matthew’s Gospel as a late-in-life-diary of a recovering money addict who was radically transformed.
This gospel has over 40 economic passages, of which 10 are unique to Matthew. Only Matthew tells these ten teachings of Jesus about wealth and poverty. They are not found in Mark, Luke or John. Who else among the disciples had ears to hear Jesus teaching on money in a life changing way? Look at the ten lessons offered by a “new” Matthew.
- 1. The wise men’s gifts at Jesus’ birth meant surprising wealth (2:1-15)
Unexpected wealth played a role from the beginning is Jesus’ life Was this how his family funded their escape to Egypt?
- 2. Jesus made a plea for humility among philanthropists (6:1-4)
Jesus’ Sermon of the Mount [Mtt. 5-7] teaches that godly generosity should have a very different style among his followers, and that it has different rewards.
- 3. Five of Jesus’ parables or work-world stories are about economic assets (13:33, 44, 45, 47, 51)
Jesus teaches some business lessons for new believers by using the most basic economic commodities of the time – yeast, hidden treasure, a valuable pearl, fishing nets, and new & old treasures. Faith impacts business economics.
- 4. Taxation issues and challenges (17:24-27)
Jesus teaches Peter about his new dual citizenship responsibilities, to honor both the emerging Kingdom of God and earthly governments. Matthew, of all the disciples, remembered this one!
- 5. A call for new treatment of debtors (18:21-35)
Forgiven people need to forgive others. Note the Lord’s Prayer where we ask God to “forgive us our debts as we have forgiven others.” (Mtt 6:12)
- 6. Unpacking Jesus’ confusing pay-scales (20:1-16)
Employers have the right to be generous. Jobs and earnings are gifts!
- 7. Addressing difficult family business dynamics (21:28-32) Believers are to demonstrate changed values. And, can you believe it – Tax collectors and their girlfriends will go to heaven?!
- 8. Announcing the final judgement on generosity vs self-interest (25:31-45)
Blessing the neediest serves Jesus both now and later in heaven when sheep and goats will be divided based upon generosity to the neediest among you on earth!
- 9. Ill-gotten gain is dangerous (27:3-10)
Judas threw away his betrayal fee or hit-money, and still hung himself. Blood money is just that – evil.
- 10. Bribes are destructive (28:11-15)
The guards of Jesus’ grave-site were paid to lie about his body disappearing to benefit the nervous national leaders by deceiving the citizens.
Note the final illustration of a new view of people and economics. Matthew begins and ends his late-in-life-diary with a surprising, even radical, focus on “little people” who are never acknowledged in genealogies of the times. His opening genealogy radically departs from tradition and includes five women, three of whom are not even Jewish! Mary, Tamar-the widow/prostitute; Rahab-the foreigner/prostitute; Ruth-a Moabite widow, and Bathsheba- a Hittite adulteress. (1:1-17) Then he ends his record by including 14 “little people” in his version of Passion week who are not mentioned in the other three gospel narratives. (26:6-27-56)
Years after he met Jesus at his workplace, Matthew had changed. He had “…learned mercy….” since his first encounter with Jesus. What might be the transforming issue in our journey with Jesus?
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Pete Hammond is vice president at large for InterVarsity. He is also the founder and director of InterVarsity’s Ministry in Daily Life.
