The teaching of Jesus on wealth is

reflected in the writings of early church

fathers.
prepared by Daniel Keeran

Jesus and the Early

Church on Wealth
The Most Avoided Teaching

Jesus and the Early Church on Wealth:

The Most Avoided Teaching
prepared by Daniel Keeran, MSW, Victoria, Canada
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Mark 12:43-44 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, I tell you the truth, this poor
widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their
wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything--all she had to live on.
Luke 1:53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.
Luke 3:11 John answered, Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who
has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.
Luke 4:18-19 The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim
good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and
recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lords
favour. Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes
of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. He began by saying to them, Today
this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.
Luke 6:20 Looking at his disciples, he said, Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is
the kingdom of God.
Luke 6:24 But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort.
Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken
together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it
will be measured to you.
Luke 7:22 So he replied to the messengers, Go back and report to John what you have
seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are
cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the
poor.
Matt. 6:19 Lay not up treasure on earthbut lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven.
Matt. 19:21 Sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in
heaven.
Matt. 19:24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle
than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.

Luke 18:22 You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor,
and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.
Luke 11:41 Give what you have to the poor, and all will be clean for you.
Luke 12:19-21 And Ill say to myself: Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.' But God
said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will
get what you have prepared for yourself?' This is how it will be with whoever stores up
things for themselves but is not rich toward God."
Luke 14:12-14 When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your
brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbours; if you do, they may invite you back and so
you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame,
the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at
the resurrection of the righteous.
Luke 14:33 Any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.
Luke 16:8-12 I tell you, he said, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so
that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.
Luke 16:19,25 There was a certain rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen,
and fared sumptuously every day.But Abraham replied, Son, remember that in your
lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus (the beggar) received bad things,
but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.
Acts 2:44-45 All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold
property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.
2 Cor. 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet
for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
2 Cor. 9:8-9 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times,
having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: They
have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.
1 Timothy 6:8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
1 Timothy 6:17-19 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant
nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who
richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be
rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay
up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take
hold of the life that is truly life.
Hebrews 13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what
you have, because God has said, Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.

James 1:9,10 The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high
position. But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will
pass away like a wild flower.
James 2:5 Listen, my dear brothers: has not God chosen those who are poor in the
eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised to those who
love him?
James 5:1 Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is
coming upon you.

Early Church Sources

Clement of Rome (96 A.D.) said he knew of many who had sold themselves into slavery
in order to use the money to feed the hungry, and some had sold themselves into
bondage to purchase freedom for others (Clement, Epistle to the Corinthians, 55:2).
Shepherd of Hermas (135 A.D.) Therefore instead of fields, purchase afflicted souls, as
each is able. And visit widows and orphans and do not neglect them. Spend your wealth
and all your possessions on such fields and houses which you receive from God. For
the master made you rich for this purpose that you might perform these ministries for
him (Similitudes, I:8f).
Preaching of Peter (140 A.D.) Understand then you rich, that you are in duty bound to
do service, having received more than you yourselves need. Learn that to others is
lacking that wherein you superabound. Be ashamed of holding fast what belongs to
others. Imitate Gods equity and none shall be poor.
Against Heresies, IV.xiv.3, Irenaeus (180 A.D.) And instead of the tithes which the Law
commanded, the Lord said to divide everything we have with the poor.
Clement of Alexandria (190 A.D.) And it is not right for one to live in luxury while
others live in want. How much more glorious is it to do good to many than to live
sumptuously! How much wiser to spend money on human beings than on jewels and
gold! (Instructor II, xiii, 20.3 and 6).
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