Money and possessions

The short answer

Jesus talked about money often. He warned that possessions can take the place of God, and he noticed generosity that others overlooked.

He did not treat poor people as failures. The widow with two coins is the one he held up as an example.

In the Gospels

1. Mark 10:17–27

   The rich man

   A good man asks what he must do. Jesus looks at him, loves him, and asks him to give up the one thing he can’t let go.

   Read Mark 10:17–27

   ¹⁷ As he was going out into the way, one ran to him, knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” ¹⁸ Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except one—God. ¹⁹ You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not give false testimony,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and mother.’ ” ²⁰ He said to him, “Teacher, I have observed all these things from my youth.” ²¹ Jesus looking at him loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack. Go, sell whatever you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me, taking up the cross.” ²² But his face fell at that saying, and he went away sorrowful, for he was one who had great possessions. ²³ Jesus looked around, and said to his disciples, “How difficult it is for those who have riches to enter into God’s Kingdom!” ²⁴ The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus answered again, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter into God’s Kingdom! ²⁵ It is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter into God’s Kingdom.” ²⁶ They were exceedingly astonished, saying to him, “Then who can be saved?” ²⁷ Jesus, looking at them, said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God, for all things are possible with God.”

   World English Bible, public domain. The whole chapter on Free Scripture → · Read in the NRSVue, the ELCA’s standard translation →

   The Rich Young Man, scene by scene on Free Scripture→

2. Luke 12:13–21

   Bigger barns

   A farmer plans bigger barns for his harvest and dies that night. Jesus asks whose it will all be then.

   Read Luke 12:13–21

   ¹³ One of the multitude said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” ¹⁴ But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or an arbitrator over you?” ¹⁵ He said to them, “Beware! Keep yourselves from covetousness, for a man’s life doesn’t consist of the abundance of the things which he possesses.” ¹⁶ He spoke a parable to them, saying, “The ground of a certain rich man produced abundantly. ¹⁷ He reasoned within himself, saying, ‘What will I do, because I don’t have room to store my crops?’ ¹⁸ He said, ‘This is what I will do. I will pull down my barns, build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. ¹⁹ I will tell my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years. Take your ease, eat, drink, and be merry.” ’ ²⁰ “But God said to him, ‘You foolish one, tonight your soul is required of you. The things which you have prepared—whose will they be?’ ²¹ So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

   World English Bible, public domain. The whole chapter on Free Scripture → · Read in the NRSVue, the ELCA’s standard translation →

   The parable of the Rich Fool, explained on Free Scripture→

3. Mark 12:41–44

   The widow’s offering

   Jesus watches people give at the temple and points out a poor widow: her two small coins were more than all the rest.

   Read Mark 12:41–44

   ⁴¹ Jesus sat down opposite the treasury, and saw how the multitude cast money into the treasury. Many who were rich cast in much. ⁴² A poor widow came, and she cast in two small brass coins, which equal a quadrans coin. ⁴³ He called his disciples to himself, and said to them, “Most certainly I tell you, this poor widow gave more than all those who are giving into the treasury, ⁴⁴ for they all gave out of their abundance, but she, out of her poverty, gave all that she had to live on.”

   World English Bible, public domain. The whole chapter on Free Scripture → · Read in the NRSVue, the ELCA’s standard translation →

   The Widow’s Offering, scene by scene on Free Scripture→