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	Was Jesus poor? © John Stemmons, Amazing Grace Church, Fujisawa, Japan - 042408
	Riches are a side issue in Christianity, but an important one, enough so that God made it part of the covenant with Abraham. We need to learn what God has to say about riches, instead of relying on tradition to teach us. God wants us to have money...he just doesn't want money to have us! Some folks think that God prefers us to be "poor and humble" as if those two somehow are supposed to go together. What a crass stereotype! All rich people are proud and all poor people humble? I don't think so! The truth is that many poor people are very proud and many rich people are very humble. Matthew 8:18. Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side. 19. And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. 20. And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. As you can see, the issue was not about whether Jesus had any money, but rather about his lifestyle, continually moving about. Jesus did not go to his "home" at night like other people. He laid his head down on a pillow while on the sea of Galilee: Mark 4: 38. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? But of course, that ship was not his home...he didn't have a home. That is what the Matthew 8 scripture is talking about, not about whether he had any money or not. People don't gamble for old clothing, but they might over an expensive suit...or a seamless coat/robe/vesture*. A seamless robe was the "expensive suit" of the day. *Romanized chiton Pronounced khee-tone'; Of foreign origin [HSN3801]; a tunic or shirt: KJV--clothes, coat, garment. JN 19: 23. Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. 24. They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did. Jesus paid his taxes, and that takes money. You don't have to pay taxes if you don't make any money. MT 17: 24. And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? 25. He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? Of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? Of their own children, or of strangers? 26. Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. 27. Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee. We are born naked...all that we have comes from God. He wants us to be rich 2 COR 8:9, but does not want us to "want to be rich". PVB 23:4a. Labour not to be rich: PVB 28:20b...but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent. PVB 28: 22. He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him. 1 TIM 6:9. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.. Poor people cannot even help themselves, let alone other people. Those with money can help those without, and this is God's type of stewardship. God pays his own bills through those he trusts with money...prosperity is really a greater "test" than poverty, if you think about it. Only tradition could get you to believe that God is after your money, the bible NEVER teaches such a thing. He is after your heart! God promises prosperity in the Abrahamic (blood) covenant, and the proof of that is throughout the bible. If you live in your own house, chances are that you are in the upper 5-10% of the people of the world in riches. If you are in the upper 10%, most would agree that you are rich. Note especially verse 12, which I think is hilarious. PS 50:7. Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, and I will testify against thee: I am God, even thy God. 8. I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices or thy burnt offerings to have been continually before me. 9. I will take no bullock out of thy house, nor he goats out of thy folds. 10. For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. 11. I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine. 12. If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof. 13. Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats? 14. Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: 15. And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. 16. But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth? 17. Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee. Where did Jesus get money while on the earth? From those that ministered to him "of their substance". LK 8: 1. And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him, 2. And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, 3. And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.
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