Study of Christianity
Theme 3: Significant social and historical developments in religious thought:
A. Attitudes towards wealth:
The dangers of wealth (with reference to Mark 10:17-25; Matthew 6:25-34; Luke 12:33-34; 1 Timothy
6:10);
Mark 10:17-25
PASSAGE:
Man says: 'Good teacher [Jesus], what must I do to inherit eternal life?'
Jesus says: 'why do you call me good? No one is good - except God alone'
o 'You know the commandments: You shall not murder etc.'
Man says: 'Teacher, all these I have kept since I was a boy.'
Jesus told him to, 'go, sell everything you have and give it to the poor and you will
have treasure in heaven.'
Jesus: 'how hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel
to go through the eye of a needle than for something who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.'
CONTEXT:
Jesus was Jewish: traditional Jewish teaching says those with wealth should be
generous.
Disposing possession would have been unheard-of in Jesus' time but expected from a
respected Rabbi.
MESSAGE:
Impossible to enter the Kingdom of God is one is wealthy.
For Jesus, entering the Kingdom of God is far more important than wealth.
SCHOLARLY DETAIL:
Passage says the man should 'not defraud' (gain money illegally).
Possibly awareness that the man was guilty of financial sin.
Matthew 6:25-34
PASSAGE:
'Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat of drink, or
about your body, what you will wear.'
So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we ear?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall
we wear?' Your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
But seek first the kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to
you as well.
CONTEXT:
Sermon on the mount: Jesus outlines what it means to live in the presence of God.
o Theme of sermon: righteousness goes beyond the law to an all-embracing life
of love and commitment.
MESSAGE:
Jesus urges followers to have right priorities (Kingdom of God first).
o Enemy of priority it anxiety.
o Priority is not food or clothing but spiritual things.
o Can demand this as has faith God will provide.
SCHOLARLY DETAIL:
Sirach 30:24 - 'Jealousy and anger shorten life, and anxiety brings on premature old
age.'
Luke 12:33-34
PASSAGE:
Sell you possessions and give to the poor.
Provide a treasure in heaven that will never fail.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Theme 3: Significant social and historical developments in religious thought:
A. Attitudes towards wealth:
The dangers of wealth (with reference to Mark 10:17-25; Matthew 6:25-34; Luke 12:33-34; 1 Timothy
6:10);
Mark 10:17-25
PASSAGE:
Man says: 'Good teacher [Jesus], what must I do to inherit eternal life?'
Jesus says: 'why do you call me good? No one is good - except God alone'
o 'You know the commandments: You shall not murder etc.'
Man says: 'Teacher, all these I have kept since I was a boy.'
Jesus told him to, 'go, sell everything you have and give it to the poor and you will
have treasure in heaven.'
Jesus: 'how hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel
to go through the eye of a needle than for something who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.'
CONTEXT:
Jesus was Jewish: traditional Jewish teaching says those with wealth should be
generous.
Disposing possession would have been unheard-of in Jesus' time but expected from a
respected Rabbi.
MESSAGE:
Impossible to enter the Kingdom of God is one is wealthy.
For Jesus, entering the Kingdom of God is far more important than wealth.
SCHOLARLY DETAIL:
Passage says the man should 'not defraud' (gain money illegally).
Possibly awareness that the man was guilty of financial sin.
Matthew 6:25-34
PASSAGE:
'Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat of drink, or
about your body, what you will wear.'
So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we ear?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall
we wear?' Your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
But seek first the kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to
you as well.
CONTEXT:
Sermon on the mount: Jesus outlines what it means to live in the presence of God.
o Theme of sermon: righteousness goes beyond the law to an all-embracing life
of love and commitment.
MESSAGE:
Jesus urges followers to have right priorities (Kingdom of God first).
o Enemy of priority it anxiety.
o Priority is not food or clothing but spiritual things.
o Can demand this as has faith God will provide.
SCHOLARLY DETAIL:
Sirach 30:24 - 'Jealousy and anger shorten life, and anxiety brings on premature old
age.'
Luke 12:33-34
PASSAGE:
Sell you possessions and give to the poor.
Provide a treasure in heaven that will never fail.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
