Did Jesus Require Money?

[ElCodeMonkey]

So, we know that Judas was the treasurer and stole from it regularly, so they clearly obtained money, had to keep track of it, and it was enough to be stolen from without expectation of being caught.

The disciples were irate with the lady who poured perfume on Jesus' feet because they could have sold it and given the money to the poor.

Jesus often mentioned selling everything and giving to the poor.

Jesus declared that salvation surely came to the house of a tax collector on the day he offered to give back 4 times what he cheated anyone and to give half his possessions to the poor (I wonder in which order ).

When a man said that, to be saved, one ought to uphold the commandments, Jesus said he lacked one thing (notably, he didn't say sacrifice, but that's a different topic), he said to sell everything and give to the poor.

Clearly, the ministry was all about helping the poor and it seemed it required money to do so. This last item is also rather interesting because the man went away sad and Jesus followed up by saying that it's easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom. Astonished, the disciples asked how anyone could be saved if rich people cannot enter. Why were they so astounded? Surely they didn't think all people were rich such that no one could enter. Clearly they saw a need for money in order to "save" people. Which, by the way, "saved" is used whenever Jesus "healed" people. One could be "saved" from "an issue of blood" or from their house foreclosing, for example. It's not referring to heavenly salvation.

So did the disciples operate mostly on money? And does this provide evidence that maybe the miracles attributed to Jesus were phony add-ins to the Bible at a later date in order to deify him? Surely the disciples wouldn't expect money to be the means of which to help people if they saw Jesus healing and feeding people by the power of God, right? What's up with their reaction? Why were the disciples so astonished?

[Servant77]

Why were the disciples so astonished?

"rich" was not necessarily understood nor meant as it seems everyone sees it today.

Whatever Jesus meant and the disciples understood - they were astonished and asked "How then can WE be saved !?" -
so they understood that
whatever Jesus said applied to them as well as others - the disciples were not exempt.

Later Jesus told them that if they started collecting / preferring / loving money, the love that they already had for Jesus in their hearts would <gradually> depart from them. Love of money is contrary , opposite, to love of the Creator and Jesus.

[JehovahsWitness]

DID JESUS NEED MONEY?

Yes, Jesus and his disciples clearly needed money to buy provisions and secure lodgings, especially when in new or foreign territory. There was also the matter of of the paying of temple tax as raised to Peter on at least one occassion.

WAS THE PURPOSE OF JESUS MINISTRY TO RAISE FUNDS (MONEY) FOR THE POOR?

No, Jesus was explicit on the purpose of his ministry, namely to declare the Good news of God's Kingdom. While he was not insensitive to people's physical needs, it is evident from the occassion when he fed the 5000, that he had not aquired vast sums of cash to provide financially for people. He acknowledged that poverty would always exist in this world and did not send his disciples to eradicate it.

His final commission to his disciples was not to set up charities to help the poor but to preach the good news and teach others what he had taught them (see Matt 28: 19, 20)

DID JESUS CHARGE PEOPLE (OR AUTHORISE CHARGING) FOR HIS MINISTRY?

No, there is no record Jesus ever asked for payment for any of the miracles he performed; neither did he ask people to pay to listen to him preach. He told his disciples that they received freely and were to give freely.

Christian ministers should not expect to be paid to minister to others



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To read more please go to other posts related to...

CHRISTIANITY , MONEY & WEALTH and ... JW's FINANCES

[TRANSPONDER]

Why were the disciples so astonished?

"rich" was not necessarily understood nor meant as it seems everyone sees it today.

Whatever Jesus meant and the disciples understood - they were astonished and asked "How then can WE be saved !?" -
so they understood that
whatever Jesus said applied to them as well as others - the disciples were not exempt.

Later Jesus told them that if they started collecting / preferring / loving money, the love that they already had for Jesus in their hearts would <gradually> depart from them. Love of money is contrary , opposite, to love of the Creator and Jesus.

I have disagree with your reading of what I suspect is "Q" material. hang on.... maybe not it's in Mark 10.25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
26 The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?”

Matthew 19.4 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”

And Luke 18.25 “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! 25 Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
26 Those who heard this asked, “Who then can be saved?”
27 Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”

So synoptic original. However, the passage is ambiguous. It appears that those who are rich in the sense we understand it today would have a harder time being saved than those with just enough to manage, which is what we suppose was the case with Jesus and the disciples. But Jesus goes on to imply that nobody can be saved by works or deeds, but by giving up everything and following Jesus. Following Jesus is the key or one could be saved by becoming a Buddhist monk - and they do not handle money at all. It is following Jesus that counts and giving your money to the Poor is just something you have to do as a sort of religious Hazing. Not that anybody does it today, so dudes, with your houses and cars and well filled wallets, you will ind it harder than the disciples to squeeze through the eye of the needle. Luckily it is Christian membership that saves, even if you have a decent bankroll and a swanky car to drive to the Church parking lot.

[Servant77]

I think , from memory now, years ago,
that
when the disciples asked Jesus who then can be saved, or how can we your own disciples/apostles be saved,
Jesus' simple direct reply
was you can't.

He continued, if you trust yourself to accomplish your salvation it is impossible. Can't be done.
But
if you trust the Heavenly Father, the Creator, to accomplish your salvation (trusting like infants remember, or little children) in this life and in the life to come,
it is already accomplished.

The key is true trust, trust as Jesus says plainly and as Jesus means. Active, living, faithful trust, or just innocent pure trust like a little child, eager to see Abba and do whatever He says.

[TRANSPONDER]

I think , from memory now, years ago,
that
when the disciples asked Jesus who then can be saved, or how can we your own disciples/apostles be saved,
Jesus' simple direct reply
was you can't.

He continued, if you trust yourself to accomplish your salvation it is impossible. Can't be done.
But
if you trust the Heavenly Father, the Creator, to accomplish your salvation (trusting like infants remember, or little children) in this life and in the life to come,
it is already accomplished.

The key is true trust, trust as Jesus says plainly and as Jesus means. Active, living, faithful trust, or just innocent pure trust like a little child, eager to see Abba and do whatever He says.

Thank you. Yes, that's what the passage implies. Nobody is really worthy to be saved and money is actually nothing to do with it. The point is that it is joining the Jesus cult that is the requirement to be saved. and the point of the story is that the rich who will not give up their wealth can't even take that first step. Not that taking the step is what saves. God gives no guarantees. He saves, and all the Faithful can do is take the necessary steps of giving your money to the church and following Jesus. At least in the NT. These days, just saying "Lord, Lord" is good enough and you can limpet onto your money as much as you like.