Is it Wrong For Christians to Make Money or Have Homes?

Introduction

Is it wrong for Christians to make money, have an income, be employed, have a business, or even own a home?

This is what some Christians believe, based on some of the teachings and words found in the Gospels and book of Acts.

It is well known that Yeshua gave up his life as a carpenter, and spent his entire time preaching about the Kingdom of God, having no place to call his own, and that also told his followers not to worry about what they have to wear or eat, so long as they had faith in God (Luke 9:58, Matthew 6:31-32).

For this reason, some have taught that it is in fact an act of disobedience to Yeshua, and thus a sin to work for a living wage, or to own a home, but to instead rely on completely on God for shelter, clothing and food by means of miraculous intervention or charity from others.

But does the Gospel truly teach this? Let us investigate the scriptures deeply to determine if this is so.

Scriptural Examination

The scriptures used to assert the position of Christian poverty are:

• Don’t carry a bag of money or a food pouch or sandals, and don’t [stop to] greet people along the road… And if a son of peace lives there, your peace will rest upon him… But if not, it’ll return to you. So, stay in that house and eat and drink the things that they provide, because a worker deserves his wages”. – Luke 10:4, 6-7
• “Then he said to his disciples: ‘This is why I’ve told you not to worry about your lives and about what you’ll eat, or about your bodies and what you’ll wear. For your lives are worth so much more than food, and your bodies are worth [so much more] than clothes. Notice the ravens; they don’t plant or harvest, and they don’t have barns or storage sheds, since they’re fed by God. So [think about] how much more you’re worth than those birds! And which of you can add even a smidgen to your lives by worrying? So if [worry] is unable to fix little things, why be concerned about all these other things? Also notice how the lilies grow; although they don’t work or spin cloth – I tell you that even Solomon in all of his glory wasn’t as well-dressed as they are! So if God so well clothes the plants in the fields – that are here today and thrown into an oven tomorrow – how much more would He rather clothe you? You with so little faith? Therefore, stop searching for things to eat and drink, and don’t worry about how you’re going to get them! For these are the kinds of things that all the ethnics are pursuing. However, your Father already knows that you need all these things. And if you’ll keep on seeking His Kingdom first, you’ll receive all the rest. Don’t be afraid, little flock. For it’s the delight of your Father to give you the Kingdom! Sell what you own and give it to those who really need it. Make purses for yourselves that won’t wear out. The unfailing treasures in the heavens, which can’t be consumed by thieves or by moths. For where your treasures are is where your hearts will be”. – Luke 12:22-34
• “Stop storing up treasures here on the earth that can be eaten by rust and by moths, or which thieves can break in and steal. Rather, store your treasures in the heavens where they can’t be consumed by moths or by rust, and where thieves can’t break in and steal them. For your hearts will be wherever your treasures are! Your eyes are the lamps of your bodies, and if [you keep] your eyes simple, they’ll make your whole body bright. But if your eyes are just wicked, they’ll make your whole body dark. And when the only light within you is darkness, how great that darkness will be! No one can slave for two masters. For you’ll [find that] you won’t care for one, but love the other. Yes, you’ll be devoted to one, but you’ll despise the other. And this is why you can’t slave for God and for wealth! I’m also telling you that you shouldn’t worry about your lives, or what you’ll eat, or what you’ll drink [spurious] or your bodies and what you’ll wear. The person you are inside is more important than food; your body is more important than clothes. Rather, notice the birds in the skies. They don’t plant seeds, or harvest, or put things in storage sheds, because your Father in the heavens provides their food. And aren’t you [greater than] they are? Which of you can, through worry, add even a smidgen of length to your lifespan? Also, when it comes to clothes, why should you worry? Rather, pay attention to the way that lilies grow in the fields. For even though they don’t work or spin cloth, not even Solomon in all of his glory was as well-dressed as them. So, if God so well-dresses the plants in the fields (that are here today and thrown into the oven tomorrow), wouldn’t He rather clothe you? You with so little faith? Therefore, never be worried and ask, ‘What are we going to eat or drink’, or, ‘What are we going to wear?’ For these are the types of things that the gentiles are concerned with, and your Father in the heavens already knows that you need these things! Rather, put the Kingdom and righteousness first, and then all these other things will be given to you. No, don’t worry about what tomorrow will bring, For tomorrow will have its own problems, And each day will have its own badness”. – Matthew 6:19-34
• “For anyone who doesn’t give up everything they own, isn’t capable of being my disciple!” – Luke 14:33
• “And Yeshua said to him: ‘If you want to be perfect, go and sell your belongings and give to the poor, then come follow me, and you’ll have treasures in the heavens.’ However, after the young man heard this, he left very sad, because he owned many things. So then Yeshua said to his disciples: ‘I tell you the truth: It’ll be difficult for a rich man to get into the Kingdom of [God]”. – Matthew 19:21-23
• “Then Peter said to him: ‘Look! We’ve left everything to follow you!’ And Yeshua told him:‘I tell you the truth: All who leave their homes, or their fields, or their brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, or children for my sake, and for the sake of the good news, will get 100 times more, along with age-long life in the era that’s coming”. – Mark 10:28-30
• “In fact, nobody could be described as being needy among them, because everyone who owned fields or houses sold them and brought back the money from the things that they sold, laying it at the feet of the Apostles. Then everything was distributed among them according to each one’s needs“. – Acts 4:34-35
• “…so that no one would be able to buy or sell other than those who have the branding, which is the name of the wild animal or the number of its name. This is where wisdom is required.Let those who can reason calculate the number of the wild animal; it’s a human number: 666″. – Revelation 13:17-18

From these scriptures, we see that Yeshua indeed informs his followers not to worry about their provisions. He also told someone who wanted to follow him to sell everything he owns before becoming his follower. We also see that many Christians sold their belongings to distribute the proceeds amongst the needy.

Another reason often raised from those advocating Christian poverty, like to refer to the “mark of the Beast”, in its reference to buying and selling, and thus advocate that money in itself must be evil for only those with the Beast’s mark will be making use of money.

Taken in isolation and at face value, these scriptures could very easily be justly used to assert a doctrine of total Christian poverty.

However, we also should be sure to look to other passages in the New Testament which would seem to speak against the idea of Christians living in poverty:

• “‘So, tell us what you think: Is it right for us to pay Caesar’s head tax, or not?’ But Yeshua (knowing their wickedness) said to them: ‘Why are you testing me, you hypocrites? Show me the coin that you use to pay the head tax.’ So they brought him a silver coin, and he asked them: ‘Whose image and inscription is on this?’ And they replied: ‘Caesar’s.’ Then he said to them: ‘Pay Caesar’s things to Caesar, but God’s things to God.’” – Matthew 22:17-21
• “This is why we pay our taxes; because, as public servants, they’re serving God’s purposes! Therefore, pay everyone whatever they’re owed… To the tax collector [pay] the property tax; to the toll collectors, [pay] the tolls…”. – Romans 13:6-7
• “Then [Yeshua] went on to say this to them: ‘When I sent you out before without a money bag, or a food pouch, or extra sandals, you didn’t really need anything else, did you?’ And they all replied:‘ No!’ But then he gave them this warning… He said: ‘But now; if you have a money bag, you must carry it along, as well as a pouch for your food. And if you don’t have a sword, you should go sell your coat and buy one“. – Luke 22:35-36
• “Then even the tax collectors came to be immersed. And when they asked, ‘Teacher, what should we do?’ He [John the Immerser] told them: ‘Just collect a fair tax!’ Also, when those in the military came and asked him what they should do, he told them that they shouldn’t harass or falsely accuse anyone, and to be satisfied with just their provisions.” – Luke 3:12-14
• “So when you see the disgusting destroyer that was spoken of through the Prophet Daniel standing in the Holy Place (let the reader pay attention to this), those [living] in Judea should flee to the mountains! The man who’s standing on his roof shouldn’t go down to remove things from his house, and the man who’s standing in his field shouldn’t [go back home] to get his clothes”. – Matthew 24:15-18
• “Well, standing there by the impaling pole of Yeshua was his mother, his mother’s sister Mary (the wife of Cleopas), and Mary of Magdala. So when Yeshua saw his mother and the disciple he loved [John], standing there, he said to his mother:‘Look, woman — your son!’ Then he said to the disciple:‘Look — your mother!’And from that day on, the disciple took her into his own home“. – John 19:26-27
• “They also agreed to go to the Temple every day, after which they’d eat their meals in private homes…”. – Acts 2:46
• “Then, after [taking a moment] to collect himself, from there he went to the house of Mary the mother of John (who was called Mark), where several had gathered to pray“. – Acts 12:12
• “So after they were released, they went to Lydia’s house, where they met with the brothers and encouraged them before travelling on”. – Acts 16:40
• “Then on the next day, we travelled to Caesarea, where we went to the house of Philip the Evangelizer (one of the seven men), and stayed with him“ – Acts 21:8
• “Meanwhile, some of the disciples from Caesarea traveled with us and led us to the home of a man who showed us some hospitality, Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple“. – Acts 21:16
• “For those of the house of Chloe have told me that you do a lot of arguing, my brothers”. – 1 Corinthians 1:11
• “But then Zacchaeus stood up and said this to [Yeshua]: ‘Lord, I’ll give half of my belongings to the poor, and whatever I got from anyone by extortion and false accusations, I’ll repay four times over!’ So Yeshua said: ‘Salvation has come to this house today, for he’s also a son of Abraham!”. – Luke 19:8-9
• “Therefore, when you meet up on the Lord’s day, you don’t eat and drink in a fitting way… Don’t you have homes where you can eat and drink? Or are you condemning the congregation of God by shaming those who don’t have anything? …And if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, so you don’t meet for judgment”. – 1 Corinthians 11:20, 22, 34
• “Therefore, if anyone comes to you and doesn’t bring this teaching, don’t let him into your home, nor rejoice with him”. – 2 John 1:10
• “Give my greetings to Priska and Aquila… and [send my greetings] to the called ones in their home“. – Romans 16:3-5
• “Give my greetings to… Nympha and the called ones in her home“. – Colossians 4:15
• “I prefer to see younger widows marry, have children, and manage a home. That way, the Opposer isn’t given something over which he can gleefully gloat”. – 1 Timothy 5:14
• “On each Sabbath day, you should set something aside in your savings, since you’re prospering, so we won’t have to take up a collection after I arrive”. – 1 Corinthians 16:2
• “‘[You know that] I haven’t longed for anyone’s silver, gold, or clothing. For you’re aware of how I’ve used my own hands to take care of my own needs and [for the needs] of those who were with me. I’ve demonstrated to you how important it is for us to work like this, so we can help those who are weak. Therefore, remember the words that were said by our Lord Yeshua: ‘There’s more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.’” – Acts 20:33-35
• “…they shared the same trade (they all worked as tent makers), he stayed at their house”. – Acts 18:3
• “Indeed, we didn’t even ask anyone to provide us with food… Instead, we worked hard day and night so we wouldn’t be a burden on any of you. This isn’t because we aren’t authorized to [ask for such things], but because we wanted to set an example for you to imitate. So when we were there with you, we told you:‘If anyone isn’t willing to work, then he shouldn’t even chew [a bite of food]. However, we’re now hearing that some wicked men among you aren’t working, but are idle instead. So we’re warning them and commanding them – through the Lord Yeshua the Anointed One – to cease this and [begin] working so they’ll be able to eat their own bread’”. – 2 Thessalonians 3:8-12
• “So if you’ve been a thief, you shouldn’t steal anymore. Instead, you should work hard and do good things with your hands, so you’ll have something to share with the needy“. – Ephesians 4:28
• “However, how can God’s love be in a person who may have the worldly means to give aid, but doesn’t feel any pity for his brother when he sees that he’s in need?” – 1 John 3:17
• “Also, give orders to those who are rich in this age not to think too much of themselves, and not to trust in their wealth (which is fickle), but in God who brings [the type of] wealth to us that we can truly enjoy.” – 1 Timothy 6:17
• “So, may each of you do whatever you’ve resolved in your hearts… But not grudgingly or because you feel pressured, since.; ‘God loves a cheerful giver.’” – 2 Corinthians 9:7

When we look at these passages, we gain further insight in regard to both Yeshua’s words, and the general lives of early Christians in regard to living and money.

Yeshua Commanded to Pay Taxes

Beginning with Yeshua’s quotes, we see he advocates paying taxes to the government, saying it is lawful under God’s law to do so (Matthew 22:17-21). In fact, Yeshua himself also paid taxes (Matthew 17:24-25). The Apostle Paul also backs up this teaching in his letter to the Romans (Romans 13:6-7). This is important to consider, for paying taxes obviously involves money, meaning that in order to follow Yeshua’s and Paul’s directive in this regard, one would have to have money in the first place to pay said taxes.

Understanding ancient Roman tax is additionally helpful in this context, because they didn’t just simply tax “anyone and everyone”, just for simply ‘having’ money. Beggars for example who were given alms, did not have to pay tax on the money people would donate to them, as begging was not considered to either be a profession nor ownership of an asset.

In the Roman Empire, citizens had to pay; cattle tax, land tax, customs tax, and tax on the profits of a profession:

“There were four primary kinds of taxation in ancient Rome: a cattle tax, a land tax, customs, and a tax on the profits of any profession. These taxes were typically collected by local aristocrats. The Roman state would set a fixed amount of money each region needed to provide in taxes, and the local officials would decide who paid the taxes and how much they paid. Once collected the taxes would be used to fund the military, create public works, establish trade networks, stimulate the economy, and to fund the cursus publicum“. – Taxation in ancient Rome, Wikipedia

We see that, as it is today, tax was not merely a “charge” or a “bill”, but it something that is ‘deducted’ from one’s ‘own’ profits and belongings. Hence, to pay Roman tax, meant having some official way of ‘making’ money, as well as owning assets. Hence, Yeshua advocating paying taxes would also be to advocate having some kind of job to make money.

Paul specifcially mentions paying “propety tax” in this regard, which shows that Christians indeed could both own property and make money. Lest of course we accuse the Apostle Paul of contradicting the Lord Yeshua in this respect and spreading false teachings…

In this respect, we move on to the examination of Christians with homes throughout the New Testament.

Christians Had Homes

When reading through the New Testament, whilst we cannot deny many brothers and sisters sold their property to share their money and belongings with one another as a community, as well as to the poor (Acts 2:44), it’s also apparent that many Christians continued to have their own private homes, even in the very passage which speaks of the selling of individual property (Acts 2:46), and they were not chastised for this.

Several names are given to us of whom we are told were very loyal, faithful and righteous members of the congregations, such Mary, Lydia, Phillip, Mnason, Priska, Aquila, Nympha, and even Apostle John was said to have his own home in Jerusalem where he took Yeshua’s earthly mother Mary to rest after the crucifixtion (John 19:26-27).

Of course, the question then raised is; what kinds of “private homes” were these? Were they rented? Borrowed? Given?

It’s worth noting that Christian homes doubled as congregational meeting places in the 1st century, especially after Christians were kicked out of the Jewish synagogues early on. And so it’s likely that there were indeed Christian communities that lived together under a shared roof after selling their own homes, in order that they could worship together in peace, and so that they could be more economically efficient, and were thus able to focus on giving to those who had nothing.

We should be aware, however, that even if these private homes were just “shared communal spaces”, these properties, if not merely “given” to these Christians by charitable non-Christian individuals to use, would still have had to have been paid for, whether it be property tax, or paying rent. Both of which would have required money – and this again harkens back to what Paul spoke of, when paying “property tax”, which implies that these homes were not just given or borrowed, but were indeed “owned” by these Christians.

It’s also of note, that we see that many Christians did in fact have their own private abodes, ‘in contrast’ to the Christian meeting places. Paul for example expresses his frustration at members of the Congregation refusing to share their means with the poorer members during the communal Lord’s Supper, and he states “do you not have private homes in which to eat and drink?” and says it’s in their private homes they should be having their own personal meals, rather than “at the places of communal gathering” (1 Corinthians 11:20, 22, 34).

Yeshua himself also, in one of his prophecies in the warning to flee Judea and destruction of Jerusalem from the coming “Abomination” which was the Roman army, taught his followers that a person should not “go back to his home” or “collect his belongings” when that time arrived, nor to remain on his “owned field”, all which implies that Yeshua had expected those listening to him to have such property by the time the Abomination arrived, but that they should be ready to abandon them when “the time came for it” (Matthew 24:15-18).

Thus, it’s clear that Christians ‘did’ own their own private homes that had to be paid for, and these were not always shared communal spaces.

Therefore, in order to have these properties, they would have additionally had to have had a form of income. Where did this income come from? Work? Or was it all provided by the charity of others at the miraclous providence of God?

How Christians Made Money

Whilst we see many of the Apostles gave up their careers to follow him during his ministry (Matthew 4:20, Luke 5:10), and that there were certainly the poor amongst the Christian populace, it’s also clear that there were Christians who were more well off and were held responsible for providing for the needy in their communities.

We’ve already covered the fact that Paul wasn’t happy with certain Christians hoarding their means to the detriment of others around them. But this doesn’t tell us ‘how’ they get their money.

Whilst Yeshua tells us we need not worry about our food and clothing, as God provides for those who have faith in him (Luke 12:22-34), we see the fact that there were poor Christians amongst the community who “had nothing” and were relying on the wealthier Christians around them. This shows us that money wasn’t just “falling from the sky”, so to speak, by means of a miracle for these poor ones. Rather, we see that the manner God likely provided for the poor, was in a practical way, ‘through’ means of other people who ‘did’ have money, which included other Christians (2 Corinthians 9:10-12, 1 John 3:17, 1 Timothy 6:18).

This would have not have been possible if it was understood to be a ‘universal command’ from Yeshua to “literally not have a job or earn money”, for ‘all’ the Christians would have then been equally poor, and equally reliant on the charity of others giving to them, by means of faith in God.

Paul even tells us that some Christian communities even had a “surplus of savings”, meaning that some of them were well off, and of these Christians he only asks that a “portion” be put aside to help the needy (1 Corinthians 16:2). And this echoes the account in Luke 19:8-9, when Yeshua commended Zacchaeus the Chief Tax Collector for giving away only “half” his riches to the poor, and said he was “saved”. Yeshua didn’t scorn him and say “that’s not good enough, you must give ALL your belongings away and quit your job!”, and this was long after Yeshua had given his speech in regards to selling one’s belongings in chapter 12.

Likewise, we also see the beloved John the Apostle, who knew Yeshua personally and learned at his feet, recomend that Christians who have “worldly means” (possessions and money) should give to those in need (1 John 3:17). He did not tell these Christians off for having such means, but only that it was unloving to not make charitable use of them.

It’s clear of course from the book of Acts, that some Christians gained money in order to share with those in need by selling their own belongings, and being content with living in simplicity or in shared homes. But this isn’t the only way money was made.

Whilst we do see the Apostles at first give up their fishing jobs, this doesn’t appear to have been a permanent thing, for in John 21, we see clearly that they all went ‘back’ to fishing, and this was ‘after’ they had both witnessed his resurrection ‘and’ were given their comission to go and preach the Gospel to the world:

• “Late that evening… Yeshua came and stood in their midst and said: ‘May you have peace. Then after he said this, he showed them his hands and his side, and the disciples rejoiced at seeing the Lord. And once again Yeshua said:‘May you have peace.’ Then he told them: ‘In the same way that the Father sent me, I’m now sending you.‘ And after he said this, he blew on them, and said: ‘Receive Holy Breath“. – John 20:19-22
• “Simon Peter had told them that he was going fishing, and they said that they wanted to come along… Then, just as it was starting to get light, there was Yeshua standing on the beach…. This was the third time that Yeshua appeared to his disciples after he’d been raised from the dead…. Then, following breakfast, Yeshua said to Simon Peter: ‘Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more than these [fish]?’ And he replied: ‘Yes Lord; you know how much I care for you!’ Then [Yeshua] said: ‘Feed my lambs!’”. – John 21:3, 4, 14–15

We don’t see Yeshua discipline or correct them about this, rather, he only ensured Peter to feed his sheep and prioritise his love for him and them over that of fishing. But we see nothing of any scorning or correction from him that returning to his fishing boat to get his food (or even money) in itself was wrong.

Paul also in fact goes on to say in his letters, that if we can help it, we should not ‘intentionally’ live in poverty, but rather to “work with our own hands”, not only for our own sakes, but in order not to “be a burden on others”, nor to make a mockery of those who ‘can’t help’ being poor and destitute, and so we can help others with the money or means we earn (2 Thessalonians 3:8-12, Ephesians 4:28).

It is clear that this “work” does not merely refer to “spiritual work”, “good works”, or “Christian community work”, as Paul is adamant that the work should be for the sake of “earning one’s own bread” (meaning one would either work to ‘buy’ bread, be ‘paid’ in bread, or would work a farm to harvest) as opposed to taking or even “recieving” the bread other people have via donation – which would be the antithesis of “not being a burden” and “having the means of giving to others”.

For this reason Luke also tells us that Paul made a living by being a tent-maker by “trade” (Acts 18:3, Acts 20:33-35).

And Paul isn’t the only one who advocated employment, for John the Baptist also informed tax collectors to remain in employment, so long as they collected fair taxes, and for soldiers who put faith in God to be happy with their provisions from their jobs (Luke 3:12-14). And if anyone would want to put lack of faith in John’s advice here, we should remember that the Lord Yeshua called him the “greatest of all prophets” to come before himself, who came to “prepare the way” for Yeshua’s Gospel (Luke 7:26-28).

Whether the “work” that the Christians did was doing physical labour in a field to harvest food, or working in employment to buy food, both would have involved money, either through direct income, or having to pay land tax on one’s farm, which would have ‘required’ income. And both methods would have involved ‘effort’, in contrast to Yeshua’s aformentioned words in regards to “not seeking food and clothing at all”, thus we wind up in a full circle.

No matter what way we try and spin it, one way or another, what is being described in scripture are Christians “working”, “finding” and “earning” their means of living, in ‘contradiction’ to Yeshua’s quoted words in the Gospels (if we are to take them in isolated and hyper-literal face value).

Did these Christians Contradict Yeshua?

Seeing that there appears to be a contrast between Yeshua speaking of selling all of our belongings and relying on God for food and clothing, and Christians clearly living in homes and earning a living, were all these Christians contradicting or perhaps disobeying Yeshua’s command?

If indeed, these Christians were contradicting the Lord, then it’s his commands we should place above theirs, even the words of the Apostles (Galatians 1:8)… But is that the case here?

When Paul told the Christians to work for a living, was this just “Paul’s flawed opinion?” Well not according to Paul himself, for he also gives out this directive “in the name of the Lord Yeshua”, which means he was actually asserting the authority of Yeshua himself when he gave this guidance to the Congregation, and Paul always made sure to inform his audience whether something was from the Lord or of his own originality (1 Corinthians 7:10, 12).

We see nowhere of any other Apostle finding issue with this, nor of any contention between them, nor do we ever see Yeshua himself correcting Paul on this, despite the fact that scripture is candid when it comes to times Paul was indeed corrected and had disagreements with others, which included being contacted by the Lord himself more than once (Acts 9:4, Galatians 2:11-14, 2 Corinthians 12:8-10, Acts 15:36-39).

Neither do we see any of the Apostles sending letters to tell the other Christians off for earning money or having their own private homes. Not a ‘single’ one out of the original 12 and 70 that were sent out and filled with the spirit of God and Yeshua to be his messengers (Luke 10:1, 16–20, John 14:25-26, Acts 2:1-4, 15:4, 28).

We also saw earlier, that Yeshua didn’t seem to have a problem with the 11 Apostles going back to fishing after they had seen his resurrection and received their comission from him.

We also have covered the fact that Yeshua himself advocated paying income taxes, that he commended Zacchaeus for giving away only “half” his riches to the poor, and that he knew there would be followers of his living in homes before the Abomination struck Jerusalem.

Are we to assume then that these people with homes only refers to the unbelievers, unfaithful and disobedient?

If indeed, there is disobedience at play, then that would mean we can’t even trust half of the Gospels themselves, especially that of Luke and Acts (which ironically is the Gospel containing most of the sayings of giving away our belongings), for it was written in the 60s A.D ‘after the events’ of Acts and all of Paul’s letters, and therefore it makes little sense for Luke to have penned the teachings of Christian poverty ‘after’ supporting Paul’s ministry and many of the Christians living in homes, without also writing an additional letter or detail in his accounts, to clarify to his readers that he wanted to ensure that they knew that living in homes, earning a living, or having property was wrong in hindsight.

Thus, we have very little, if not no evidence at all, to argue that all these Christians were disobeying the teachings of Yeshua.

One can either claim ‘all’ or ‘most’ of his Apostles and early disciples rebelled against him, and nobody, not even Yeshua himself said anything, despite correcting the congregations more than once on other matters as late as 70-90 A.D (Revelation 2), or, that the teachings and practices of all the Apostles are inspired of the holy spirit and consistent with Yeshua’s teachings and meanings.

What Did Yeshua Really Mean?

If the Lord was not teaching that it was wrong to have a job, home, or belongings, and the Apostles did not betray his teachings, what did his words really mean?

It’s important to examine the full context of these passages.

When we read Luke 10, we see Yeshua introduces the reason as to why he tells his followers to not take money with them;

• “Look; I’m sending you out as lambs among wolves. Don’t carry a bag of money or a food pouch or sandals, and don’t [stop to] greet people along the road. Then as you enter each house you should say: ‘May this house have peace.’ And if a son of peace lives there, your peace will rest upon him… But if not, it’ll return to you. So, stay in that house and eat and drink the things that they provide, because a worker deserves his wages… Don’t keep moving from one house to another… Well, when the 70 whom Yeshua had sent out in pairs finally returned, they joyfully said to him: ‘Lord, even the demons obeyed us when we used your name!’ And he replied:‘I was watching the Opposer falling like lightning from the sky! For I’ve given you the authority to walk on serpents, scorpions, and on the power of the enemy… And nothing will harm you!”. – Luke 10:4-7, 17-19

We see that in this instance, Yeshua had a very specific mission for his followers to preach in Judea, and that they were to be lambs amongst wolves. During this, he tells them they would be provided for by the people inviting them into their homes.

Thus, we’re told of two potential reasons for this instruction.

One is that they were to be sent into dangerous territory, so telling them not to take money or belongings with them, may have been for their own protection, for they’d have nothing to be robbed. The second is that they were given the authority and blessing God through Yeshua, in order that they could have power over the enemy, and in this, they would have God’s watchful gaze over them, providing miraculously for their needs.

We see however, this was a situational command for that occasion only, as we later have Yeshua says this:

• “‘When I sent you out before without a money bag, or a food pouch, or extra sandals, you didn’t really need anything else, did you?’ …But then he gave them this warning. He said: ‘But now; if you have a money bag, you must carry it along, as well as a pouch for your food. And if you don’t have a sword, you should go sell your coat and buy one“. – Luke 22:35-36

We see when the context changed, Yeshua didn’t tell them to continue not to take a money bag with them or stay in people’s homes, but he instructed them to do the opposite.

He likely said this because he knew Judas would run off with their shared money purse (John 13:27-29), which would have rendered them both financially and materially helpless for a time if they were unprepared, especially if nobody would have let them in their homes for shelter after their Rabbi’s arrest and execution (Luke 22:37, Matthew 26:69, 71, 73).

This thus tells us his earlier words in chapter 10, were not universal nor permanant, but only for a specific situation, and that there are times when we ought to make use of our own money to get by.

We should also note that he asks if his Apostles have their own ‘individual’ money bags at this time, despite the fact that we know they all shared a single purse amongst themselves already (John 12:6). This tells us that when they gave up “everything” to follow him, they clearly were not expected of Yeshua to have literally rid of all their money or savings, otherwise he would not have asked if they had their own indivdual bags of money, let alone encourage them to make use of them.

Moving on to examine Luke 12:22-34 and Matthew 6:19-34, when Yeshua tells his listeners to sell their belongings and not worry about their lives…. When it comes to Luke’s account, we should first pay attention to the beginning of the theme a few verses earlier:

• “A rich man’s fields produced well, so he thought about this and then asked himself: ‘What should I do, since there’s not enough roomIn which to store all my crops?’ Then he said: ‘Ah, I’ll do this – I’ll tear down my barns and build larger, and that’s where I’ll put all my wheat, as well as my other good things. Then I’ll say to myself: You now have many good things saved away [to last] many years. So, you can just take it easy! Yes, eat, drink, and enjoy it!’ But God said: ‘O foolish man! Tonight, they’re demanding your life! So, who will now own all these things?’ Yes, this is what will happen to a man who lays away treasures for himself, but fails to gain wealth with God“. – Luke 12:16-21

We in see the introduction into the subject, Yeshua speaks a parable on the foolishness of relying on material wealth for security, and makes a point that wealth cannot grant a person eternal salvation, and is easily lost. In contrast, having “wealth” or “treasure” with God, is what truly saves us from death. And therefore, focusing on trying to gain worldly comfort and material pleasures over that of trying to please God and focus ones life on his will above all, will result in death, as in the end, material wealth is vanity, as is echoed in Solomon’s wisdom (Ecclesiastes 12:6-7, 13-14).

From this point on Yeshua then tells his listeners to therefore not worry about their lives or striving to ensure that they would have food and drink, for God would ensure they would have everything they needed so long as they put his will first. The main theme being not allowing the stresses of life take away their attention from God’s will, for this life is a temporary thing, whilst the life God will give is eternal.

He hence says, that his listeners should sell their belongings to those who need it “more than they”, rather than hoarding treasures for themselves and obsessing over making their own fleshly lives comfortable and secure, at the ‘expense’ of focusing on God’s will.

This point is in fact expounded upon in Paul’s letter to Timothy in regard to Christians who were rich:

• “Also, give orders to those who are rich in this age not to think too much of themselves, and not to trust in their wealth (which is fickle), but in God who brings [the type of] wealth to us that we can truly enjoy. [Yes, teach them to] work at being good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and ready to share, while they safely store away for themselves the treasures of a fine foundation in that which is coming, so they can put on the real life“. – 1 Timothy 6:17-19

Yeshua’s speech in one way can be understood to be literal in the sense, that Yeshua was gathering disciples to himself who would follow him in the flesh, and would give up their present lifestyles in order to be able to become travelling missionaries to spread the Gospel far and wide (as did the Apostles), and thus they’d have no need of homes, nor of storing up material treasures. For it was God’s will that there be a spreading of the Gospel to the furthest reaches of the Earth. Yeshua was giving some of his specific listeners a choice in this respect; join him in travelling and spreading the word, or, to stay at home and put all their focus and hope in material hoarding.

But it’s important to remember that not ‘everyone’ was called to this nomadic life style by Yeshua, but many Christians stayed within their local communities and homes after being evangelised, and all playing different roles (1 Corinthians 12:27-30).

Another point to consider is that Yeshua commanded to give their things to those “in need more than themselves”, which establishes a precedent that it speaks of those who have many riches, as opposed to those who are already poor or destitute. Thus, if a Christian themselves were the “ones in need”, then by this statement, they would be justified in being the ones having the money or belongings to help themselves get by, which is exactly what we see throughout the New Testament when it comes to wealither Christians giving their means to the poorer Christians (including the Apostles; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2).

If money and belongings were evil objects in themselves and the only acceptable means of living was waiting for God to make it rain manna from the sky, then it would be nonsensical for Yeshua to say “give them to other people who need them”. Rather he would likely say; “give up your things and burn them all in a fire”, in a manner many Christians did with their magical books, given that they were evil and should not be passed on nor sold to anyone else in “need” or “want” of them (Acts 19:19).

Thus, Yeshua speaks, not of ridding ourselves off literally ‘everything’, but of what we “don’t need”, to those who “do need”.

Yeshua’s words can also be understood in a hyperbolic sense, harkening back to his opening parable, that if one focuses on material wealth at the ‘expense’ of God’s will, thus “failing to gain wealth with God”, he will not be saved. And so, by means of hyperbole, he is telling people it would be better to sell everything they have and do God’s will in the long run, than in it would be to ignore God’s will and put all hope in vain wealth.

As he says in the Matthew account;

• “No one can slave for two masters. For you’ll [find that] you won’t care for one, but love the other. Yes, you’ll be devoted to one, but you’ll despise the other. And this is why you can’t slave for God and for wealth!” – Matthew 6:24

Yeshua does not say here, “one cannot worship God”, or that “they cannot follow him” whilst having money, belongings or a job to earn a basic living wage to get by and help others, but he rather he uses the very specific term “slave for” (“douleúō” in Greek), which implies utter devotion or obsession with the object, to be “owned” by that thing.

“Cognate: 1398douleúō (from 1401/doúlos) – properly, to serve as a slave, having all personal ownership-rights assigned to the owner; (figuratively) to willingly give over the prerogative to be self-governing”. – HELPS Word-studies

Hence, he follows on from this statement, just like we see in Luke, by saying;

• “Do not worry over your lives… the being is more important than food, your body is more important than clothes” – Matthew 6:25

Worry is one of the big motivators of some for being overly focused on getting rich to secure their lives. But Yeshua here teaches that cultivation of who we are within, in line with a relationship with God and love for others, is far more important than cultivation of material wealth. The inner being is more important than eating, just as the body itself is more important to take care of than having clothes to cover it.

He thus ends his speech with;

• “For where your treasures are is where your hearts will be.” – Luke 12:34-3
• “For your hearts will be wherever your treasures are! Your eyes are the lamps of your bodies, and if [you keep] your eyes simple, they’ll make your whole body bright. But if your eyes are just wicked, they’ll make your whole body dark. And when the only light within you is darkness, how great that darkness will be!” – Matthew 6:21-22

The theme of his speech ultimately was about ‘priority’, rather than that of a literal command for his followers to live in poverty, or to make a statement that to have jobs, homes or belongings was some kind of sin. Don’t seek to save your physical life at the expense of your spiritual life, is the point to be understood. All we need are the “simple” necessities of life, not riches. Spiritual riches being far more important.

In similar vein, this was also the test of the young rich ruler of Matthew 19:21-23 of whom the Lord read the heart of. He did all that Law required of him, but he was not willing to follow the Lord when he asked him to leave his things behind and to become a travelling nomad with Yeshua and the rest of his disciples… In this, he placed more priority in that moment in his riches over that of God’s will.

Nothing in this example tells us Yeshua commanded all Christians to sell all their belongings. We know this for a certainty because Yeshua did not tell ‘all’ the people he spoke to do such a thing (Luke 10:25-28) and was even satisfied when some who were ‘extremly rich’ only sold “half” of what they had (Luke 19:8-9). This proves thus, that Yeshua’s words were a specific test for this young rich man, which was of the same theme regarding ‘priority’. Would he choose riches or God?

All Christians in ‘some way’ have to sacrifice something for God and his Son in their lives, and these trials can be different for many in the faith. This is why Yeshua mentions many of them;

• And Yeshua told him:‘I tell you the truth: All who leave their homes, or their fields, or their brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, or children for my sake, and for the sake of the good news, will get 100 times more, along with age-long life in the era that’s coming”. – Mark 10:28-30

This statement was not Yeshua telling his followers that they ‘must’ abandon their families, homes and fields to follow him, Yeshua was not a cult leader trying to seperate or break up families. Rather, the theme here was the “willingness” to let them go if needed, for the sake of the Gospel.

He warned that the abandonment of family and home, would come by means of his followers being attacked, shunned and rejected by their own households in reaction to their faith in him, not the other away around:

• “Don’t think that I came to bring peace to the earth; For I’m not bringing peace. Just the sword! I came to divide fathers from sons, as well as daughters from mothers and brides from their mothers-in-law. Your enemies will be those in your own homes; But those who care less for me than for their fathers or mothers, [will never] be worthy of me. And the one who cares less for me than for his sons or his daughters, isn’t worthy of me. Those who won’t lift their own torture devices and follow behind me, aren’t worthy. For those who seek first their own lives are really the ones who’ll lose them; But they’ll find them, if they lose their lives for my sake“. – Matthew 10:34-39
• “Unless those who come to me care less for their fathers, mothers, wives, children, brothers, and sisters – yes, even for their own lives – they can’t become my disciples. Nor can anyone follow me who’s unwilling to carry his own torture device… So, you must be sure too! For anyone who doesn’t give up everything they own, isn’t capable of being my disciple!”. – Luke 14:26-27, 33

To reject one’s own family and not materially provide for them, we are told is to be “worse than one without faith” (1 Timothy 5:8), and so Yeshua would not be commanding his followers to do such a thing. Yeshua himself even taught that we should not shun others, especially those of our family, but to love and provide for them as part of God’s law (Matthew 15:4-5). The loss of homes and family in this respect was a result of being ‘kicked out’ by ones own family for the faith, as opposed to being a teaching of family or home abandonment. Hence he compares this to being crucified, a form of enduring persecution.

Thus, Yeshua’s point in both Luke 14:33 and Mark 10:28–29 is again keeping in the theme of “willingness”, to put God’s will before that of fleshly or material desires, and relying on God to catch us in his arms when things turn out for the worse, and realising that following him will often result in hardship, and therefore a willingness to accept such hardship.

Yet again, “priorities” are the key theme here. Being willing to put God and Yeshua first in all things, even if things become difficult, whether it results in betrayal, loss of family, home, property, or even our very lives.

As Yeshua was clearly not trying to promote the idea of suicide with his words on “losing and hating one’s own life” to be his follower, neither was he promoting the idea of self-inflicted destitution or family abandonment. No, his point was not to “worry” about our lives, but to prioritise our relationship with God over riches and human relationships, for that’s where real security lies.

Mark of the Beast

The final point to address is that of the fear of the mark of the Beast, as we are told only those with it can “buy or sell.”

Now when it comes to this passage, it’s important to note that it speaks of a very specific event, in relation to the “end times”, and devotion to the Satanic Wild Beast. We are told only those with its “mark”, will be able to engage in commerce. However, we should also note that Yeshua told us to “sell” belongings, and give “money” to the poor.

Hence, with only a small application of common sense, we are able to see that buying and selling in general, or using money, isn’t something which gives us the Beast’s mark, otherwise Yeshua himself would have been guiding us into condemnation. Rather, the mark will be something plain and obvious to us, which demands our worship to it, in place of God and his Son, in order to buy or sell at that time – as it was for some of the 1st Century Christians when they were made to worship before the Roman Emperor as God in order to go on living.

Hence, money in itself is not the Beast’s mark.

However, whenever the time comes that the world will demand us to have the Beast’s mark in order to buy, sell, or live, that shall be the time where we must be willing to go possessionless. And for this reason Yeshua’s words on the rich finding difficulty entering the kingdom holds much widsom in part, for those who have less, will have less to cling to when or if threats are made to take away our material things in persecution for our faith.

Conclusion

To conclude. Is it a sin for Christians to have homes, money or belongings? And did Yeshua literally command all Christians universally to sell all such things?

Based on the overall New Testament evidence from the words of Yeshua and the Apostles both, we have seen thus that:

1. Yeshua’s main point about selling what we own was related to a parable in regard to where our hope and priorities lay, and the vanity of focusing our lives on material wealth over gaining treasure with God.
2. Yeshua’s point on leaving homes and family was in relation to those who would become their enemies in their own households, and the requirement to be willing to be outcasted by such people to follow him, and again, a teaching on priority.
3. Yeshua was happy with someone rich who only sold “half” of their belongings.
4. Yeshua told us to give belongings and money to others, including Christians, meaning it was not a sin to ‘have’ or ‘make use’ of such things if they were in need of them.
5. Yeshua did not tell all he encountered to sell their homes or belongings for salvation.
6. Yeshua condemned people who gave all their money to God’s Temple at the expense of their family who needed it to live.
7. Yeshua and Apostle Paul both commanded to pay taxes, which could only be deducted from income, protfits or property.
8. When Yeshua told his followers not to carry money with them and rely on others, it was a temporary command, which he later reversed when the situation changed.
9. Yeshua expected some of his Apostles to still have their own individual money bags and savings besides that of their shared purse, and told them to make use of them.
10. The 11 Apostles went back to fishing (to either get food, money, or both) ‘after’ they witnessed Yeshua’s resurrection and were comissioned by him to spread the Gospel with holy spirit.
11. John the Baptist told people to remain employed and be happy with their provisions, so long as they were not corrupt or greedy.
12. Many faithful Christians had personal homes.
13. Apostle Paul recomended that some Christians should get married and have personal homes.
14. Many Christians, including the Apostles, relied on the money of wealither Christians.
15. Apostle Paul had a job as a tent maker to get by.
16. Apostle Paul commanded in the name of the Lord, that a person should not be a burden on others by making themselves destitute, but to have a living if possible.
17. Apostle Paul stated that a person who did not provide for their own family, was “worse than one without faith”.

Examining the above points, we are all able to easily draw our own conclusions on the matter, and my own personal conclusion is that that Yeshua did not state it to be a sin to have money, property, nor a job to get by. Rather, he taught principles about how to ‘handle’ and ‘view’ our belongings and money, and to remember that salvation does not come from material security, but by faith and obedience to God.

Whilst we have to be “willing” to give up everything we own for him, this is not the same as being “told to” give up everything we own to follow him… What Yeshua’s principles ultimately asks us is; when push comes to shove, who will you obey? What will you follow? Your God or your own selfish desires?

It is not money or having belongings that are evil in themselves, but we are told it’s the “love” of money, which is paramout to obession and greed (1 Timothy 6:10).

Living in Voluntary Poverty

There is of course, nothing wrong with the lifestyle choice of piety and chartiable poverty, and it is to be greatly respected.

We indeed have seen in the book of Acts, that many Christians did choose to sell their homes in order to live in a community together, and give what they could afford to the poor, embracing a lifestyle of minimalism. Likewise, many Christians through the 2nd-3rd Centuries also took up a life of simplicity and asceticism (or monkhood).

Thus, if this is the path a Christian feels and believes they are called to by God, and that their relationship with God and His Son benefits from this, then let no man or woman stop them… so long as this lifestyle, as was cited earlier in scripture, does not put a preventable burden on, or takes away from others who are genuinly helpless and poor (2 Thessalonians 3:8-12).

We must remember that according to the Lord and the Apostles both, financial or provisional donations are for those who ‘cannot’ earn their own way; the poor, the vulnerable, weak, ill, etc.

To purposely make oneself poor to the extent that one is totally reliant on others when being ‘capable’ of providing for oneself, is to take resources from those who ‘have no choice’ but to be poor and helpless, which is not the principle of love the Lord taught. The act of selling and giving away things was to benefit others, but nobody benefits from self inflicted harm.

In a similar vein to what Paul would state, whilst it might have an “appearance of wisdom in self-imposed worship and humility and harsh treatment of the body, it has no value.” (Colossians 2:23).

Therefore, any life choice of living in voluntary poverty or minimal simplicity, should be done with earning at the very least, the ‘minimum essentials’ that a Christian requires to get by to live, eat and drink by themselves without relying on others, if one is capable of it. And it should be done in a way that benefits others, not just the self (Matthew 5:14-16, Proverbs 18:1).

The Ways God Provides

It’s also important to remember that God acts through ways, which isn’t always through some kind of awe inspiring miracle. But in actuality he may act via something practical with the materials or situation at hand.

When telling us not to worry about our lives, Yeshua taught that “God provides for the birds and animals”, and when we look to nature, what does that entail? Does it not entail birds going out to find worms in the soil? And to go out to find sticks to build nests? Yeshua knew the Hebrew scriptures, and he always spoke in context of them.

• “Lazy one; you should learn from the ant. Feel zeal when you see what he does. Yes, you should become just like him! But, you should also be wiser! For he doesn’t own his own farm, and he has no one to urge him to work, nor is he under a master. But, during the summer, he gathers much food, as he prepares to feast in the harvest. O lazy one, how much longer will you continue to lie there? Yes, when will you awaken from sleep? You sit for a while, then rest for a while, and after a while, you slumber with your hands and arms on your chest, as poverty overtakes you like a mugger, and lack catches you like a sprinter.”. – Proverbs 6:6-11
• “The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their food from God“. – Psalm 104:21
• “Who gives carrion to the crows for their young, as they call to YHWH while searching for grain?”. – Job 38:41
• “Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them…”. – Matthew 6:26

Scripture shows that the manner in which God provides to the birds and other animals, is by using the natural resources and elements of life at hand that he made, which also includes the animals hunting and gathering for themselves.

God’s way of providing for us, can be that through providing for us materially and directly (giving us a fish to eat for a day), or guiding us to a way to provide for ourselves (teaching us to fish to eat for life). Thus, having a job in order to support ourselves, or making use of government financial support systems, can in themselves be ways God provides for us, by giving us opportunity to be employed or otherwise cared for.

If we have faith, live righteously above all else, and put in the effort, God will always find a way to provide for us, or enable us to be able to provide for ourselves within the systems in which we live. We do not always choose which way this happens, but we act upon the opportunities and gifts he provides us with.

But to abuse God’s care, by refusing to work, and making ourselves destitute and starving when there is no need to, in the notion that we are waiting for God to make it start raining food in our laps, is to “put God to the test”.

• “Then [the Slanderer] took him into Jerusalem and put him on one of the Temple’s highest towers, and said: ‘If you’re a son of God, jump down from here; for it’s written: ‘He will order His messengers to protect you so they’ll lift you up on their hands, and you won’t bump your foot on a stone.’ But Yeshua replied: ‘It’s also said: ‘You must not put YHWH your God to the test’”. – Luke 4:9-12

Using Our Money Wisely

Though we have seen that Christians are not required to literally give away all their belongings, quit their jobs and sell their homes, there are of course still practical lessons to take away from Yeshua’s words, which apply to all of us, in the manner in which we live everyday and make use of our money.

It begs examination for all of us, in asking ourselves if we can do more good works and charity with our resources, rather than only thinking of how we might spend it on ourselves. We should ponder carefully on ‘what’ we’re working for. Are we doing it to provide the necessary food, clothing and shelter for ourselves and our families, and to aid the poor around us? Or are we going beyond that by trying to become rich just for its own sake?

Beyond food, drink and a place of shelter (and perhaps the internet in more recent times given that it’s become such a core integral part of modern day life in much of the world) everything else is technically a luxury.

Whilst of course, certain luxuries play a vital role in “quality of life”, which contributes to our overall mood and wellbeing, we certainly live in a world that is focused on material comforts, hoarding, and exccessive wealth or fame as to be the “end all be all” meaning to life.

In the celebrity world, this is often taken to lucidcrious extremes, with some of the rich and famous often owning several decked out mansions in multiple countries at once! Even if they never use or live in them! Can one imagine if all those properties were turned into hospitals, orphanages, or shelters for the homeless? As opposed to serving the egotistic vanity project of a single individual?

Very easily we can be caught up, even innocently, in spending hundreds, if not thousands of our currency, on one luxury after the other, be it new clothes, furniture, decor, collecting hobbies, and so on, even if we might be satisfied with what we already have. Consumerism and addiction in the modern world has become the norm for millions of people, whilst millions more go hungry and homeless.

In this respect, we as Chrsitians can examine our own spending habits, and ask ourselves, if we truly do ‘need’ the next thing we’re buying, or if perhaps that money can go to someone else who really needs it. Learning to be wise and frugal with our means, can help not only ourselves to save our pennies, but it will enable us to give even more to others where we would not have previously.

These can be very simple practices, such as examining if we really ‘need’ expensive designer clothes, or, if we can find cheaper alternatives that are still of acceptable quality to last and cover our bodies. Do I really need to order yet another relatively expensive takeout to eat? Or do I have food in already in? Do I ‘really’ need yet another watch to my collection of one hundred others?

This also applies to Christendom on a larger scale, not just us as individuals. We see money being wasted on overly luxurious church buildings and cathedrals… as well as the tithes that so often come with them to keep them going! And we all should know that making money off of the Gospel itself is wrong (Matthew 10:8, Acts 8:20). And so do our places of worship need to be so excessive in construction? We ourselves afterall are the Temples in which God’s spirit now dwells (John 4:21, 1 Corinthians 3:16).

By cutting down or even out entriely on what we do not ‘need’, the money in which we ‘would have’ spent can then be directed to other places or people, who would benefit from it far more than we would. And this is something all Christians, myself included, do well meditate upon seriously, in light of Lord Yeshua’s teachings and parables.

“I’ve demonstrated to you how important it is for us to work like this, so we can help those who are weak. Therefore, remember the words that were said by our Lord Yeshua: ‘There’s more happiness in giving than there is in receiving‘”.
Acts 20:35