Pastor Bell's Words To Live By

There has been a long period in Christendom where Jesus was portrayed as a poor Galilean who had exceptional wisdom and healing powers. This myth was perpetrated by Roman Catholic Church as a means of getting people to renounce their wealthy status an embrace that of a pauper who would become spiritually rich. Although the culture during the Middle Ages was one where the landed gentry and the aristocracy controlled the economic, political and religious systems, there were those who were inspired to challenge their presentation of the gospel of Jesus and the notions that Jesus was materially poor and economically challenged. From the reading of the accounts of Jesus’ life we must take note that he is presented firstly as a carpenter. In modern terms this would be a builder. Not only would he have made things he would have built houses, boats, furniture and so on. As a shrewd businessman he would not have been poor. His friends who left their businesses to follow him weren’t exactly poor either. Peter had two boats and employed several men to help run his business (John 21). Matthew was a civil servant for the Roman political system. So when Jesus went up on a mountain and taught his followers about the blessing of the Lord he was not decrying riches, in fact he was preaching against poverty. You see when materialism has a tight hold on you it tends to drain out your spirituality.  This means that you rely on your wealth rather than on God and it is in your interest to keep a poor underclass to service your needs.  If you are rich in spirit and rich materially, you can/will then use your wealth for the advancement of the kingdom of God. Today there are many great Christian men and women who are using their wealth to bring transformation and healing to many who are less fortunate than themselves. May God help you to be one of them! Stay blessed! Read Matthew 5 with a different set of lenses.