Was Jesus really rich?

[Book of Jeremiah]

This is an article written by Michael Boldea addressing the question, "Was Jesus really rich?" Considering the emphasis of wealth, prosperity and living like kings, coming from American pulpits today, I thought it would be a good time to allow Brother Boldea to "set the record straight."
Here then is an except from the sermon:


WAS JESUS REALLY RICH?
March 20, 2005

There is an old Prussian saying that lies at the foundation of what I am trying to bring out through these writings, the saying being, "a man living in expectation of battle, is ready when faced with battle."

The modern day church is not living in expectation of trials or tribulations, it is not living in expectation of being hated for His name's sake, it is not living in expectation of being betrayed by friends and mothers, brothers, and fathers but rather in expectation of beachfront homes, boats and luxury cars.

For many the days ahead will come not only as a surprise, but as on outright shock, a contradiction of all that they have been taught and led to believe.

It will be such a time as to test the strength of even those that were living in expectancy of what was to come, but what of those that never saw it coming? What of those that will be living in a season they were never taught would come?

What of those that put their trust in things, rather than in God, in material possessions rather than spiritual strengths? What will become of the Christian that will see all that he believed would secure his future, and provide him with happiness, turn into nothing more than a heap of ash, or worthless scraps of paper?

This is why we must explore this topic today, to see if indeed our Lord and Savior was a rich man, if He expected His followers to build kingdoms here on earth, and to place their trust in the temporal rather than the eternal.

Hand of Help Ministries - Was Jesus really rich?
Full sermon can be viewed on this thread..

 

[Book of Jeremiah]

The simple truth, is that we must know what we believe, and why we believe it, but most importantly we must be certain that what we believe lines up with the word of God.

May God bless you.
_____________________________________________
INTRODUCTION

To hear some modern day preachers tell the tale, one would think someone should be making a serious effort to investigate, and perhaps even find Christ's hidden millions, in a Swiss bank account quietly racking up the interest. If not in a Swiss bank account, then perhaps an archeological expedition should be launched to find His buried treasures, somewhere near Bethlehem, a vast fortune lying in wait for that one fortunate to kick up a stone, or remove a boulder and forever confirm this newly weaved fable of a savior of unparalleled wealth, who traveled with an entourage, and dined only in the finest of inns.

With leaps of logic that would make Darwin blush, it seems many have convinced themselves and others that Christ Jesus was a man of immeasurable financial clout, who had need of nothing, rested in palaces and had the most respected designers of His time make His one of a kind clothes, because He feared being mistaken for just another common man.

If you think this is too far out there, or that I'm attempting to poke fun, keep in mind that the preceding assertions were taken from actual sermons of actual American evangelists.

These are the claims that Christ came to this earth, and went about His ministry from an elevated position of excess, looking down on the poor desiring not to save their souls from eternal damnation, but save them from a life of poverty here on earth, and show them the ten step program to wealth and prosperity.

What we hear being said is so contrary to what the actual word of God says, that it makes one wonder what would be the reason for twisting the scripture in such devastating ways?

Could it be that we must pervert the word of God in order to justify our own greed and desire for wealth and recognition?

Could it be that if we allowed the word of God to stand as is we could not excuse our own moral ambiguity and compromise for the sake of power and privilege?

I have fought with myself over whether or not I should write this article for some time, knowing that I would be on the receiving end of allot of criticism.

In the end I decided to write it, and make it available for one reason alone. If we are to believe that Jesus was a wealthy baron, then our mental picture of who Jesus was, and what He did while here on earth must change greatly, the same can be said of His apostles as well.

No longer would we be able to picture in our mind's eye, the Jesus of the Bible, who came to preach the gospel to the poor, no longer would we be able to envision the Christ who went into the temple and drove all the merchants out with a whip of cords, proclaiming 'Do not make My Father's house a house of merchandise!"

Instead the picture that would steadily form, would be a picture of a shrewd business man, one who pandered to whomever he was addressing, a politician if you will, who gave nothing of his wealth to the poor, and demanded that even His disciples go out barefoot and broke, just so he could save a few shekels.

No longer would we envision a loving Savior who took the time to reach out even to what the people of that time considered the worthless of society, but a polished entrepreneur, who would not utter a word until his honorarium fees were met, and would only perform a miracle if the person in questions 'sowed a seed' into His ministry.

Hand of Help Ministries - Was Jesus really rich?

 

[Book of Jeremiah]

If we are to assume as many state that Jesus was wealthy beyond measure, then his selfishness and greed extended beyond this mortal life, beyond the veil of flesh, for after his passing and subsequent resurrection we see Peter and John walking by the beautiful gates of the temple, and there before them a lame man made the modest request of a modern day, 'can you spare some change' and they had no change to give.

They patted their pockets and said, 'silver and gold have we not.'

Then what of Christ's fortune, what of His will and testament, didn't He leave anything to His apostles?

Did He make preparations in advance and have His loot buried under the cover of night so if He couldn't spend it no one could?

Before we get to the heart of the matter, before we begin to search out and see what Jesus really said about money and treasures here on earth, I must say that I have nothing against rich people.

There is nothing wrong with being blessed of God in a material sense. The only problem I have, one that makes my skin crawl, is when we take the material things of this life, and make them the focus and center of our doctrine.

When we no longer preach Jesus crucified, but Jesus handing out hundred dollar bills like there was no tomorrow.

When our focus as children of God is shifted from the things of God's kingdom to the things of this earthly realm, we not only lose sight of the reason we are here, but dishonor the God of the Bible who has greater things than the material to give to His beloved.

When our expectations of our God extend only as far as the world's expectations of their God, then in effect we insult our God. What our God has to offer freely to all those who would ask, is far greater than anything the world has to offer.

As is often the case however, we've been distracted and mesmerized by the crumbs and scraps on the floor, while God is trying to get us to look higher and see the table that He has set for His own.

The scraps are for the dogs dear friends, those things of true worth, are reserved only for the righteous of God.

Hand of Help Ministries - Was Jesus really rich?

 

[Book of Jeremiah]

It is truly disturbing to see that the children of God have come to associate and define joy, and blessing by the same criteria the world uses to define them.

If we believe as the world believes that money brings happiness, that it is the cure all for anything that ails us, then how is it that we see existence through spiritual eyes?

If we are dead to this flesh, then our perception of what true worth is, our definition of blessing and joy must be different than those of the world. Otherwise we are doomed to chase after the worthless things of this world, and miss out on a relationship with God, and all, that God has to offer.

I realize some of you may be shaking your heads in dismay wondering what this has to do with prophecy, or with the times in which we are living, but if you tarry just a little while longer with God's help I hope to make you see that although it seems like just another topic of discussion that isn't really substantive but more of an intellectual exercise, this is one of the issues that may have eternal ramifications for some believers.

The reason I believe this is a topic we must explore now rather than later, is because the teachings that are going forth and being consumed by a large number of Christians, have at their core, the idea that all we must expect as children of God, is wealth, prosperity, and great times here on earth.

The idea that we may have to endure persecution for Jesus' sake, that we may be called to answer, and suffer for our faith is so contrary to what these teachings of excess and privilege assert, that speaking of suffering or persecution is not only frowned upon, but labeled as outright heresy.

Hand of Help Ministries - Was Jesus really rich?

 

[Book of Jeremiah]

There is an old Prussian saying that lies at the foundation of what I am trying to bring out through these writings, the saying being, "a man living in expectation of battle, is ready when faced with battle."

The modern day church is not living in expectation of trials or tribulations, it is not living in expectation of being hated for His name's sake, it is not living in expectation of being betrayed by friends and mothers, brothers, and fathers but rather in expectation of beachfront homes, boats and luxury cars.

For many the days ahead will come not only as a surprise, but as on outright shock, a contradiction of all that they have been taught and led to believe.

It will be such a time as to test the strength of even those that were living in expectancy of what was to come, but what of those that never saw it coming?

What of those that will be living in a season they were never taught would come? What of those that put their trust in things, rather than in God, in material possessions rather than spiritual strengths?

What will become of the Christian that will see all that he believed would secure his future, and provide him with happiness, turn into nothing more than a heap of ash, or worthless scraps of paper?

This is why we must explore this topic today, to see if indeed our Lord and Savior was a rich man, if He expected His followers to build kingdoms here on earth, and to place their trust in the temporal rather than the eternal.

If these were His expectations then brother build on, expand, amass, hoard, squirrel away, stockpile, and accumulate as much as humanly possible. But if His expectations of His followers were not of this earth, if He expected us to seek the Kingdom, to serve others, to worship in Spirit and in truth, to die to the flesh, to live with the constant knowledge that this isn't home, but merely a temporary rest stop on our way to eternity, then look up, reach out and ask God to give you those gifts in which He finds true worth.

Before we get any further, I would ask that you do one thing. Take a few seconds and meditate on the following question.

Could it be that because we are unwilling to press in, seek out, and be desperate for the things of God, we've resigned ourselves to desiring the things of this earth, grudgingly consenting and accepting them as a cheap substitute?

Hand of Help Ministries - Was Jesus really rich?
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[LittleNipper]

I see Christians trying to reestablish a Biblical influence and open prayer back into public school and institutions before it is too late.
I see Christians striving to end abortion on demand and declaring abortion as sacrificing human life.
I see Christians declaring that Homosexual bonds are wrong and godless and do not constitute the foundation of God established/inspired marriage.
I see Christians taking a stand against the ordination of women as bishops because it's unbiblical.
I see Christians spreading the Gospel message that Christ paid it all, but that HE is the ONLY WAY --- there is no other.
I see Christians informing people that hell is a reality and a place everyone who rejects Christ will end up.

None of these declarations (among others unmentioned) are popular. In fact, Christians are being labeled hateful, intolerant, ignorant, stupid, indifferent, uneducated, unsophisticated, and worthy of lawsuit and worse.

The question is, "Who is on the Lord's side!"

 

[Book of Jeremiah]

I see Christians trying to reestablish a Biblical influence and open prayer back into public school and institutions before it is too late.
I see Christians striving to end abortion on demand and declaring abortion as sacrificing human life.
I see Christians declaring that Homosexual bonds are wrong and godless and do not constitute the foundation of God established/inspired marriage.
I see Christians taking a stand against the ordination of women as bishops because it's unbiblical.
I see Christians spreading the Gospel message that Christ paid it all, but that HE is the ONLY WAY --- there is no other.
I see Christians informing people that hell is a reality and a place everyone who rejects Christ will end up.

None of these declarations (among others unmentioned) are popular. In fact, Christians are being labeled hateful, intolerant, ignorant, stupid, indifferent, uneducated, unsophisticated, and worthy of lawsuit and worse.

The question is, "Who is on the Lord's side!"

All that you have listed is good. Who is on the Lord's side? Those who keep His commandments and refuse to compromise with the wide road Gospel that doesn't require believers to stop sinning. Jesus told the adulteress whose life was spared from being stoned to death...go and sin no more. Jesus says, Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Any believer who thinks they can sin their way to heaven is sadly mistaken. Good works will not take the place of obedience. The road to heaven is narrow and we must all strive (which means agonize) to enter in.

 

[LittleNipper]

I see Christians trying to reestablish a Biblical influence and open prayer back into public school and institutions before it is too late.
I see Christians striving to end abortion on demand and declaring abortion as sacrificing human life.
I see Christians declaring that Homosexual bonds are wrong and godless and do not constitute the foundation of God established/inspired marriage.
I see Christians taking a stand against the ordination of women as bishops because it's unbiblical.
I see Christians spreading the Gospel message that Christ paid it all, but that HE is the ONLY WAY --- there is no other.
I see Christians informing people that hell is a reality and a place everyone who rejects Christ will end up.

None of these declarations (among others unmentioned) are popular. In fact, Christians are being labeled hateful, intolerant, ignorant, stupid, indifferent, uneducated, unsophisticated, and worthy of lawsuit and worse.

The question is, "Who is on the Lord's side!"

All that you have listed is good. Who is on the Lord's side? Those who keep His commandments and refuse to compromise with the wide road Gospel that doesn't require believers to stop sinning. Jesus told the adulteress whose life was spared from being stoned to death...go and sin no more. Jesus says, Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Any believer who thinks they can sin their way to heaven is sadly mistaken. Good works will not take the place of obedience. The road to heaven is narrow and we must all strive (which means agonize) to enter in.

The Holy Spirit changes the redeemed from the inside out and not visa versa! No one is saved by works. The works are the motivation of the Holy Spirit towards becoming more like Christ.

 

[Book of Jeremiah]

I see Christians trying to reestablish a Biblical influence and open prayer back into public school and institutions before it is too late.
I see Christians striving to end abortion on demand and declaring abortion as sacrificing human life.
I see Christians declaring that Homosexual bonds are wrong and godless and do not constitute the foundation of God established/inspired marriage.
I see Christians taking a stand against the ordination of women as bishops because it's unbiblical.
I see Christians spreading the Gospel message that Christ paid it all, but that HE is the ONLY WAY --- there is no other.
I see Christians informing people that hell is a reality and a place everyone who rejects Christ will end up.

None of these declarations (among others unmentioned) are popular. In fact, Christians are being labeled hateful, intolerant, ignorant, stupid, indifferent, uneducated, unsophisticated, and worthy of lawsuit and worse.

The question is, "Who is on the Lord's side!"

All that you have listed is good. Who is on the Lord's side? Those who keep His commandments and refuse to compromise with the wide road Gospel that doesn't require believers to stop sinning. Jesus told the adulteress whose life was spared from being stoned to death...go and sin no more. Jesus says, Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Any believer who thinks they can sin their way to heaven is sadly mistaken. Good works will not take the place of obedience. The road to heaven is narrow and we must all strive (which means agonize) to enter in.

The Holy Spirit changes the redeemed from the inside out and not visa versa! No one is saved by works. The works are the motivation of the Holy Spirit towards becoming more like Christ.

It was not I who brought up the subject of works, but you. See post #6. That's yours. On the matter of whose on the Lord's side.... Those who obey Him! No worker of iniquity will inherit the kingdom of heaven.

It is written:
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Matthew 7:21-23


On the subject of accusing obedience and holiness unto God of being "works based" salvation.... It is not surprising that sinners would design their own "plan of salvation." And usually.... because they are sinners'*, it's the wrong one - as Paris Reidhead once pointed it.

*sinners who love their sin but want heaven too...

 

[Book of Jeremiah]

"Peace is such a precious jewel that I would give anything for it but truth."
- Matthew Henry

 

[Mudda]

Jesus was rich. Everyone on the internet is rich. See how that works?

 

[LittleNipper]

I see Christians trying to reestablish a Biblical influence and open prayer back into public school and institutions before it is too late.
I see Christians striving to end abortion on demand and declaring abortion as sacrificing human life.
I see Christians declaring that Homosexual bonds are wrong and godless and do not constitute the foundation of God established/inspired marriage.
I see Christians taking a stand against the ordination of women as bishops because it's unbiblical.
I see Christians spreading the Gospel message that Christ paid it all, but that HE is the ONLY WAY --- there is no other.
I see Christians informing people that hell is a reality and a place everyone who rejects Christ will end up.

None of these declarations (among others unmentioned) are popular. In fact, Christians are being labeled hateful, intolerant, ignorant, stupid, indifferent, uneducated, unsophisticated, and worthy of lawsuit and worse.

The question is, "Who is on the Lord's side!"

All that you have listed is good. Who is on the Lord's side? Those who keep His commandments and refuse to compromise with the wide road Gospel that doesn't require believers to stop sinning. Jesus told the adulteress whose life was spared from being stoned to death...go and sin no more. Jesus says, Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Any believer who thinks they can sin their way to heaven is sadly mistaken. Good works will not take the place of obedience. The road to heaven is narrow and we must all strive (which means agonize) to enter in.

The Holy Spirit changes the redeemed from the inside out and not visa versa! No one is saved by works. The works are the motivation of the Holy Spirit towards becoming more like Christ.

It was not I who brought up the subject of works, but you. See post #6. That's yours. On the matter of whose on the Lord's side.... Those who obey Him! No worker of iniquity will inherit the kingdom of heaven.

It is written:
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Matthew 7:21-23


On the subject of accusing obedience and holiness unto God of being "works based" salvation.... It is not surprising that sinners would design their own "plan of salvation." And usually.... because they are sinners'*, it's the wrong one - as Paris Reidhead once pointed it.

*sinners who love their sin but want heaven too...

Actually, works are what people do in an effort to merit salvation. I totally agree that no one who believes that his deeds earn him a place in heaven is going. Read that passage again. Lord, did we do this and Lord didn't we do that? There is NO mention whatsoever regarding JESUS CHRIST! Now, had they said, "Didn't the Messiah come to die for our sins to save us from ourselves, that if we put our faith and trust in Him that we wouldn't perish!" I believe the Lord's answer would have be very different indeed! And that is the point!

Now, I do believe that Christians need to be able to witness to everyone around then in both word and deed. This is to bring others to Christ. However, society today is limiting more and more what may and may not be said openly. Most people today do hear the message because it isn't "politically" correct. It is not convenient and requires humility.

 

[Book of Jeremiah]

If You are a Christian

If You are a Christian

If you are a Christian living in sin, you must put an end to it today. Tomorrow will be too late! Just say to God from your heart that you are sorry for what you have done in disgracing the name of God and Jesus to all those around you, through them seeing you living in sin. Ask Jesus to come into your heart and make you clean. God never gets tired of forgiving - it doesn't matter what you have done in the past, but now go and do not sin anymore!

If you have never prayed to receive the Holy Spirit, then pray everyday without ceasing. He will replace the emptiness inside of you with peace, love and joy. He will guide you in all truth, comfort you in your times of distress and help you say no to sin.

"Many who carry the name of CHRISTIAN are overcome by greed, fornication, drunkenness, and a pursuit for great wealth. Those who live in defilement and meditate upon evil things will have no escape..."