On Our Wealth

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3)

This Lenten season, I am reflecting on Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. This is a sub-series of writings as part of a yearlong effort to ponder the gospel of Matthew and look at this text as it relates to the intersection of faith and politics. To frame this sub-series, I plan to focus on each of the beatitudes that open this sermon and consider how each one is further illuminated in this foundational oration of our Lord’s principles.

Perhaps no group of people have been used (even abused) by politicians over the centuries more than the poor. Jesus says later in Matthew that we will “always have the poor” to take care of. (Matthew 26:6-13) Knowing that as long as there are the rich there shall also be the poor, Jesus radically proclaims that the poor are the truly, happily blessed. And, on top of that, they are the most honored citizens of the Eternal Kingdom.

Jesus shines a spotlight on the disparities between those with wealth and those without, and sees the hypocrisy at the heart of most generous gestures. Those who claim to help others often secretly (and sometimes not so secretly) build up great wealth for themselves through their showy signs of support. Jesus, instead, urges assisting others in authentic, humble ways not driven by personal motives. To have all our actions be for our redeeming, generous God and for the good of humanity; not about our self gain or sentimentality. (Matthew 6:1-4)

Throughout the Sermon on the Mount—and the gospels overall—Jesus frequently returns to topics of wealth and poverty, with rarely a good word spoken for the rich and always uplifting those who are poor. Within the ranks of Jesus’ followers are people of all backgrounds, however this latter group shall always be closest to Christ, as they are continually blessed the most by our Lord and Savior.

Those with wealth must ask themselves some tough questions: Do we truly care about giving to noble causes for the sake of the cause, or is it because of a personal gain—such as tax rebates, name recognition, or even just feeling good about ourselves? Do we really care about those in poverty if we do not want to be associated with them directly and only through organizational support? What does it mean if we don’t want to live or visit certain neighborhoods, or be seen with certain individuals?

These questions pile up to the political and national level: What does it mean when our country is primarily concerned about wealth? What does it mean when we cut aid to those in great need? What does it mean when the highest regarded among us are the wealthiest? Can a nation claim any element of Christ-likeness if it sees wealth as a major sign of success?

Jesus goes on in this sermon to tell us that we should not be invested in the wealth of this world (money, possessions, power etc.). Instead, we should invest in the Eternal Kingdom, where temporal matters are insignificant, even worthless. Jesus points out that what we value reflects our true nature, and that we cannot serve both God and money. (Matthew 6:19-24)

Money will always act as a separator of haves and have-nots. Meanwhile, all humanity has been created in the image of God and therefore all have equal intrinsic value. We are all the same and incredibly valuable to God. Money distorts and destroys this reality. When we build our lives individually, corporately, socially, and nationally around money, we hold back and delay the Eternal Kingdom that God is working to rebuild in our midst. We must repent from our love of money, and focus on a love for humanity in order to be blessed builders of the Eternal Kingdom.

May we—individually and in all realms of society—have the heart of Jesus Christ and give up our love of money, and instead see the true value of everyone around us. Then we, and all the world around us will be blessed.