The words of Solomon are complimentary to what Jesus said because Jesus never once recommended austerity. What he condemned was the love of money and an inordinate desire for material things. As Paul also recommended that what we "need" may be a lot different to our "wants". Practicing the art of contentment is now more difficult than ever. (
1 Timothy 6:8-10)
Notice again that you are saying Jesus taught a 'balanced' view on materialism. What scriptures do you have to back up Jesus saying this?
Matthew 19: 16-24....
"Now look!
someone came up to him and said: “Teacher, what good must I do to gain everlasting life?”
17 He said to him: “Why do you ask me about what is good? One there is who is good.
If, though, you want to enter into life, observe the commandments continually.”
18 He said to him: “Which ones?” Jesus said: “You must not murder, you must not commit adultery, you must not steal, you must not bear false witness, 19 honor your father and your mother, and you must love your neighbor as yourself.” 20 The young man said to him: “I have kept all of these; what am I still lacking?” 21 Jesus said to him: “
If you want to be perfect, go sell your belongings and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come be my follower.” 22 When the young man heard this, he went away grieved, for he had many possessions.
23 Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Truly I say to you that
it will be difficult for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of the heavens.
24 Again I say to you,
it is easier for a camel to get through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God.”
So what is this scenario really teaching us? Jesus' first response was not about the man's money or possessions....but his conduct and keeping of God's law. Only after the man said that he was doing what the law required did Jesus discern the real reason for his lack of conviction....he was too attached to his material possessions. This was an indication that the man was relying on his wealth, not on his relationship with God.
It is not saying that we can't have possessions but it is our attitude towards them. This was illustrated in a Bible drama we had several years ago concerning the the flight of the Christians out of Jerusalem in 66CE when Jesus told them not to go back for their possessions, just to leave with the clothes on their back.
It seems apparent to me exactly what Jesus is saying. Your interpretation doesn't fit the words of Jesus. Here is the answer that Jesus gave, "
If you want to be perfect, go sell your belongings and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come be my follower.”
Therefore, this is what we must do. It doesn't say to just change your attitude towards them. No. It says we must do something physically (literally sell all our things) to
prove we have our faith towards God and not on our material things.
The lesson is to show God that you have faith in him by letting go of all your material possessions. This jives with Luke 14:33 and Luke 12:33. If we are not
willing to do this, then it shows God (and others) that our faith isn't truly in Him, rather it is in our possessions. If our faith is truly in God, then we won't have any problem letting it go. The problem comes in when we
don't have faith in God as we think we do.
Fleeing to the mountains in such a dangerous time was difficult by itself, let alone carrying valuables that robbers would have killed them to obtain. So taking along unnecessary things would have hindered them in their flight and even endangered their lives. Add to that the fact that many had left houses and relatives and businesses behind in Jerusalem to start again in a new location from scratch, would have been very hard. But then word would have reached them that the Romans hadn't returned....so the temptation to go back might have led some to return to their material things, only to be trapped when the Romans did come back. There are two very important lessons right there.
I can see the comparison of what the early Christians had to do in the first century, but that doesn't
negate the fact that Jesus wants us to do it
today! This seems to be the main purpose of sharing this story. It is to say that this command was only meant for that time in history, so we don't have to follow it today. The context of Jesus giving us this command in
no way indicates that this is a future, once and done, event. If says plainly to forsake everything, or else you are not His disciple. It doesn't say if you don't forsake everything when the roman armies come to destroy Jerusalem, then you are not my disciples.
I get the impression that this interpretation is used to justify people
not obeying this clear command of Jesus.
Not true. That never was the choice. It was their attitude towards their wealth, money and riches. For any Christian, sharing what we have is the natural thing to do. We contribute to a world wide fund that allows us to bring disaster relief right away to our brotherhood at any time. It provides materials to rebuild houses whilst others are waiting on insurance assessments to get back into their homes....sometimes taking months. We offer free accommodation to our brothers who are affected so that they will have somewhere to stay and to continue their spiritual routine, so important in these troubled times. Sharing is difficult if you have nothing to share.
The part in bold is the issue of not taking Jesus at his word, and finding a different interpretation that fits our fears.
The thought is: If I don't work for money, then I won't have anything to give. Correct me if I'm wrong but that is what you are saying here?
Is it hard to imagine that God can provide for us even though we don't slave at a job for money? In the garden of Eden there won't be any money, and in heaven there won't be. But why in the middle do we think we
need money to survive?
The idea that we don't have anything to share if we stop working for money shows me where our faith resides for survival. It is not in God... rather it is in our job that gives us a paycheck. If this wasn't so, then why is it hard to believe that God will provide for you if you stopped working for money, and start working full-time for God? I
Let me be clear, I am not advocating for people to quit their jobs and do nothing and expect God to provide. Far from it. What we should do is stop putting our time and effort in working for money, and put our time and effort building God's kingdom by going into all the world preaching the gospel. If we do this,
then God will provide all our needs.
If you don't have the faith to believe this, then maybe reading the following verses will comfort you.
Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek
for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Isn't this what you were doing when I suggested that we should take Jesus at His word and either choose God or choose money? You started to worry and think you won't be able to care for your brothers and sisters around the world because you wouldn't have a job to do so?
Notice in verse 33 that God will be the one who supplies all our needs if, and that is a big IF, we seek FIRST his kingdom and ALL his righteousness.
Do you believe those words?
I think the story of the rich young ruler is adequate. Jesus did not immediately zero in on his wealth...but told him to sell them and give to the poor if he wanted treasure in heaven.
This is a real head scratcher to me... How do you get the idea that Jesus telling the rich young ruler to sell all his possessions and give to the poor an example of "balanced view on materialism"?
It seems the main point revolves around the idea that Jesus just didn't come right out and say, "you must give up everything". Since Jesus didn't start with that, then that shows a balanced view? Is that what you are saying?