Attitudes to wealth Flashcards
(25 cards)
Give quotes from Mark 10 contesting the Prosperity Gospel.
“Sell all that you have and give to the poor”
“It is easier for a camel to fit through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”
Approves Mosaic law in this passage- though this is somewhat subversive
Give a quote from Bonhoeffer in support of religious poverty.
“The difference between ourselves and the rich young man is that he was not allowed to solace his regrets… Because he would not obey, he could not believe”
We have greater distance from Jesus’ teaching; RYM was told directly
Give a quote from Blomberg on greed and idolatory.
“Idolatory is the heart of rebellion against God… and no other rival to God than Mammon appears more often or centrally in scripture”
Mammon- wealth regarded as evil influence.
Give a quote from Hagner on Matthew 6.
The body is greater than what you will wear
“The passage does not mean, however, that food, drink, clothing, and other such necessities will come to the disciple automatically… it addresses only anxiety about these things.”
Shouldn’t be a priority- doesn’t support PG
What word is used more in Matthew 6 than any other NT passage?
“anxiety”
Give OT references to anxiety.
“Jealousy and anger shorten life, and anxiety brings premature old age.” (Sirach)
“Although he will not let his daughter know it, a father will lie awake at night worrying about her.” (Sirach)
Anxiety is most prominent in connection with money?
Give quotes in support of poverty from Luke 12.
“Sell your possessions and give to the poor”
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”
Same chapter as Lazarus and the rich man.
What happens to the rich man in the parable of Lazarus and the rich man?
The rich man boasts that he has emassed enough wealth to secure his future, but he dies before he is able to use his wealth. He is no longer able to live a spiritual life.
What imagery reinforces the teaching in Luke 12.
Spiritual bank account- free from anxieties and inevitable corruption of earthly bank accounts.
Give examples of the spiritual bank account which were important to Jewish thought.
“Give in proportion to what you own. If you have great wealth give alms of your abundance” (Tobit)
Give an example of Jesus’ commands being relevant to individual scenarios.
Potentially contradict universal teaching of the rich young man.
Jesus encourages Zaccheus to give away only 1/2 his wealth.
Give support for Luke 12 from Greco-Roman thinkers.
Dio Chrysoston- “But greed is not only the greatest evil to man himself, but it injures his neighbours as well.”
Wealth can lead to self indulgence and should be used for human need.
Give a quote from 1 Timothy 6 on money and sin.
“the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils.”
What was Timothy?
One of the Pastoral Epistles- concerned with heretical teachings and lax morality entering church. Wants church to keep true faith and develop strong moral centre.
“But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” (Timothy 5)
“Because the opponents had fallen in love with money, they had, as it were, stabbed themselves with the sword of greed” (Timothy 6)
What pain does Timothy 6 refer to, according to Mounce?
“Guilt, conscience, remorse” and “actual pains”
What is the real evil in Timothy?
Love of money (not money itself)
Give a quote on money and evil from Diogenes of Sinope.
“the love of money is the mother-city of all evils.”
Which text says that even kings should limit their wealth.
Deuteronomy (17)
Give a quote from John Wesley on wealth.
“Make all you can, save all yopu can, give all you can.”
Where is there biblical support for the ascetic ideal?
Acts 24- Paul talks of striving to live in such a way that he has a clear conscious towards God and others.
This is the only direct reference to ascetism made in the NT.
How does the Oxford Dictionary of the Christian church define ascetism?
A journey to remove obstacle separating an individual from a loving relationship with God.
How does Jesus support the ascetic ideal in Mark?
“If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up the cross and follow me.” (Mark 8)
How is Jesus described in Luke to oppose the ascetic ideal?
“Here is a glutton and a drunkard” (in comparison to John the Baptist).
Who was Origen?
A follower of the early church dedicated to ascetic lifestyle. (Voluntary poverty, fasting, vigils).
