https://intersectproject.org/faith-and-economics/jesus-rich-poor-matter/

Was Jesus Rich or Poor — and Why Does It Matter?
When it comes to wealth and poverty, “What would Jesus do?” Perhaps a better question would be, “What did Jesus do?” What was the example of our Savior as he lived in the material world, as he interacted with the things and people who fill it?

Certainly, we need to follow the example of Jesus. As Christians (literally, “little Christs”), we ought to be interested in both what Jesus said and what he did. However, when it comes to living in the material world and being Christ-like, interpreting the biblical example of Jesus can be challenging. This is not because Jesus was inconsistent in his example; it is because Christ’s interaction with the material world was so wide ranging.

Giovanni Lanfranco [Public domain], via Wikimedia CommonsRelated
What Did Jesus Really Teach about Wealth and Poverty?

Jesus’ Poverty
In reading the Gospels, we can focus on Jesus’ poverty. There is a sense in which Christ’s incarnation itself was an impoverishing act. Indeed, in order to take on human flesh and dwell among sinful people and the filth of this world, Jesus had to set aside the wealth of heaven. This was Paul’s teaching in Philippians 2:7, where he wrote that Jesus “emptied himself [of his privileges], by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” This same teaching is the essence of this verse,

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9)

We can also see the level of poverty that Jesus experienced by looking at the material state of his family. Most people are familiar with the details of Christ’s birth since they are recounted and celebrated every Christmas. Jesus’ nativity story includes being born in a foreign city (presumably without family and friends), being placed in a manger (literally a feed trough) and being visited by shepherds— strangers who were considered by most people to be the outcasts of society (see Luke 2:7).

In describing Jesus’ circumcision, Luke reports that Mary and Joseph offered two pigeons as a temple sacrifice for Mary’s purification (see Luke 2:22–24). Leviticus 12:7–8 explains that the usual sacrifice at the time of circumcision was to be a lamb, but if the birth mother could not “afford a lamb, then she shall take two turtledoves or two pigeons, one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering. And the priest shall make atonement for her, and she shall be clean” (Leviticus 12:8). Apparently, then, Jesus’ parents were too poor to offer the customary lamb.

Thus Jesus was born into a family that was part of the lower economic class. We see this material status has not changed 30 years later, during Jesus’ earthly ministry. In a recent post, we cited a number of Jesus’ well-known teachings about wealth and poverty at this time. We should note, too, Jesus’ comments on his own economic status, such as when he said, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head” (Matthew 8:20). The Gospel narratives bear out this testimony.

It appears that Christ had very little by way of material possessions during his ministry. Consider the following: Jesus…

preached from borrowed boats,
multiplied borrowed food,
rode on a borrowed colt,
and was buried in a borrowed tomb.
In fact, most of Jesus’ material needs, as well as those of his disciples, were apparently met by donations from a group of devoted women who accompanied him. In his Gospel, Luke refers to “Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for [Jesus and his disciples] out of their means” (Luke 8:2–3; see also Mark 15:40–41).

Jesus’ Wealth
If this description could be taken as a comprehensive summary of how Jesus lived in the material world during his incarnation, we could conclude that his example was one of poverty and that our lives should likewise aim toward poverty. However, we can also read the Gospels with a focus on Jesus’ wealth.

As we just noted, the economic status of Jesus’ family at the time of his birth was clearly one of poverty or near-poverty. Yet, three years later when the magi visited Christ, bringing extremely costly gifts, Jesus’ family was situated in a house, which indicates a probable increase in Mary and Joseph’s economic status (see Matthew 2:11). Later, in Luke 2:41–51, the Gospel writer reports that Mary and Joseph had enough financial stability to travel as a family to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover feast—a journey that was only required of adult males, not entire families (see Exodus 23:17).

The Bible does not explain details about the improved financial status of Jesus’ family; however, it is likely that over time they became part of what we would identify as the economic middle class. Historians tell us Nazareth was a prosperous town, especially for tradesmen, since it was located near the city of Sepphoris, a luxurious Roman vacation destination that was under constant construction. We can surmise that Joseph, being a carpenter (Matthew 13:55), would have benefited from this opportunity for steady employment. Evidently, Jesus eventually took up his father’s trade, since he was later known as “the carpenter” (Mark 6:3).

The Bible also reports that Jesus ministered to and identified with many wealthy and powerful individuals, including Joseph of Arimathea, Nicodemus, Zacchaeus, Levi, and certain unnamed Pharisees. Luke’s Gospel especially highlights Jesus’ enjoyment of food, his acceptance of costly gifts and his keeping company with the wealthy. For example, Luke records Jesus’ attendance at parties and his dining with wealthy individuals (see Luke 5:29–32; 7:36–39; 11:37; 14:1–2). Some of these same themes appear in the Gospel of John, which reports Christ’s first miracle to have occurred at a wedding celebration and later notes Jesus’ acceptance of a gift of costly, luxurious perfume from Mary (see John 2:1–11; 12:1–3). Note Jesus’ testimony regarding himself: “The Son of Man came eating and drinking” (Matthew 11:19).

We need to learn to be content in our own material circumstances, whatever they may be.

Conclusion.
Based on the example of Jesus’ life, what are we to conclude about living in the material world? During his lifetime, Jesus experienced a range of economic statuses. He would have experienced relative poverty at his birth, a first-century middle-class upbringing prior to embarking on his ministry and then voluntary poverty during his ministry. It is telling to note that Christ never condemned wealth or poverty itself; rather, he confronted sins that often led to wealth or poverty—sins including greed, pride, laziness, injustice and theft, among others. Moreover, Jesus was comfortable with and proficient at interacting with both rich and poor.

What does Jesus’ example mean for us? To be Christ-like, we need to learn to be content in our own material circumstances, whatever they may be (Philippians 4:11). Seeking to change our financial status, whether from poverty to wealth or from wealth to poverty, seems permissible, as long as our motives are godly. Furthermore, it is Christ-like to confront sins that result in an unjust material state, whether it be poverty or wealth. Cultivating the ability to talk with the poor and the rich alike will be a helpful skill as we seek to reach the world with the gospel of Christ.
------

How old was Jesus when the wise men found Him?
Bible Question:
How old was Jesus when the wise men found Him?

Bible Answer:
The gospel of Luke records the conception of Jesus Christ in Luke 1:26-56 and His birth in Luke 2:1-7. Eight days later according to Mosaic custom, Jesus was taken to the temple to be circumcised and given His name. Then 40 days after His birth, He was taken to the temple and dedicated to God in obedience to Leviticus 12:4-5. Some time after that, the wise men or magi visited Christ (Matthew 2:1-11). The answer to the question is found in Matthew 2:1, 11 and 16.

Room For Animals In A Taybeh House
Birth of Christ In A Manger
The gospel of Luke tells us that Jesus Christ was born in a manger because His parents could not stay in the local inn.

And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:7 (NASB)

The Greek word for “manger” is phatne which means “a box or crib where animals feed.”[1]  Consequently, we know that Jesus was born either in a cave[2] or on the bottom floor of a building since it was the custom in those days to keep animals on the bottom floor at night when the temperature was cold. The house may have been built in front of a cave. This was common in Bethlehem.

The lower room was the place where the family’s animals spent the night. According to an interpretation of the story offered in the following slides, Mary and Joseph were denied access to the comfortable guest chamber and instead Mary gave birth in the portion of the house where the animals were kept.[3]

Luke 2:8-21 tells us that an angel spoke to some shepherds who then visited Jesus after He was born that evening.

Magi Find Jesus In A House
The gospel of Matthew tells us that later some magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem asking where would the king of the Jews be born? (Matthew 2:1-3) The Roman governor, Herod the Great, asked the Jewish chief priests and scribes where He would be born. After the Jewish chief priests and scribes searched the Scriptures they told Herod and the magi the Christ would be born in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:4-8).

Consequently, the magi followed the light in the sky. It led them to the city of Bethlehem and to the place where Jesus was living with His parents.

After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they  fell to the ground and  worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:11 (NASB)

Verse 11 states that Jesus was living in a house. This reveals that Jesus’ parents had moved to a house. Contrary to popular nativity scenes and paintings, Christ was now living in a house when the magi visited Him. His parents had moved from the location of the manger to this house. There were no shepherds or angels when the magi stopped to worship Him and give Him gifts.

Verses 13-14 state that the magi left and Joseph was warned in a dream to take his family to Egypt. It is difficult to know how much time had elapsed between the magi’s arrival in Jerusalem and their visit to the house. But it is highly unlikely that the events happened quickly.

All Males Under Two Are Murdered
Matthew 2:16 tells us that when Herod realized that the magi had not returned to tell him the exact location of where the Christ was living, he ordered every child two years old and younger to be murdered.

 Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by  the magi, he became very enraged, and sent and slew all the male children who were in Bethlehem and all its vicinity, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the magi. Matthew 2:16 (NASB)

Verse 16 and verse 2 tell us that Herod the Great had determined that the magi had seen the star two years earlier. Consequently, Herod murdered all children from two years of age and under. This would reveal that Jesus was about two years of age when the magi visited Him. For more information read “Are there any secular references to Herod killing babies under the age of two?”

Conclusion:
The gospel of Matthew reveals that Jesus was about two years of age when the wise men or magi visited Him. It is amazing all the information that Scripture gives us. In this case, the age of Christ is important since the information helps us understand the fulfillment of a prophecy in Jeremiah. Matthew 2:17 quotes Jeremiah 31:15.

Then what had been spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled:

A voice was heard in Ramah,
Weeping and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children;
And she refused to be comforted,
Because they were no more.” Matthew 2:17 (NASB)

Matthew 2:17 helps understand why young children were murdered in the prophecy of Jeremiah 31:15. We can thank God for the many details He has given us in Scripture.


-------
How Old was Jesus when the Wise Men Came?
Ray on the Bible > Jesus Articles > How Old was Jesus when the Wise Men Came?

A Picture of the Traditional Nativity Scene
It seems every Christmas someone, a pastor, a friend, or a teacher, insists that the Nativity scenes and the common Christmas story are all wrong because Jesus had to have been a toddler by the time the wise men arrived in Bethlehem. Is this Biblical? I would like to answer this question once and for all, "How old was Jesus when the Wise Men came?"

There are two views on this question. The traditional view is that Jesus was a baby. I call this view the Wise Men/Baby Jesus view. The other view says that Jesus was one or two years old. I call this view the Wise Men/Toddler Jesus view.

The Wise Men/Toddler Jesus View
The Wise Men/Toddler Jesus view seems to have it roots in the actions of King Herod at the time of Jesus' birth. When the wise men came to him looking for the Messiah, he asked them when the star had appeared (Matthew 2:7).

The wise men went to visit Jesus and then returned home.

When Herod saw that they did not return to him as he had asked them to, he "was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men." (Matthew 2:16 KJV) Evidently, Herod figured that Jesus had to have been born at some time around when the star appeared or later.

The Wise Men/Toddler Jesus crowd agree with Herod's conclusion. They make three points in support of their view: 1) Jesus was born when the star appeared; 2) Jesus is called a young child (KJV) in the wise men account (Matthew 2:8,9,11,13,14,20,21) and not a baby; and 3) the wise men found Jesus in a house (Matthew 2:11), not a stable or an inn.

These points may sound plausible, but upon closer examination of the Bible and its underlying Greek text, some major problems emerge.

A Picture of the Star over a Nativity Scene
The Start of the Star
The Bible does not say that Jesus was born when the star first appeared. Those who say He was are only guessing.

Despite who Herod was, he did not know when Jesus was born. Just because he ordered that children two years old should be killed does not mean that Jesus was two years old at that time. Herod evidently also thought that Jesus could have been a newborn baby only days old because he also ordered newborn babies to be killed.

A Baby is Called a Young Child Too
The Greek word behind the term, young child, is paidion. It does not refer only to a toddler. It may also be a newborn baby. Paidion is used of John the Baptist when he was eight days old (Luke 1:59,66,76,80). It is used of Jesus when he was born (Luke 2:17), when he was eight days old (Luke 2:21), and when he was 40 days old (Luke 2:27,40). In fact, paidion is used of Jesus when the shepherds were there on the night of Jesus' birth (Luke 2:17), just one verse after babe (brephos) is used. So just because Jesus is called a young child (paidion) in the wise men account (Matthew) does not mean that he was older than a baby.

An Inn was a Room in a House
In the Bible times when people traveled, they stayed in homes as non-paying guests because hotels were very rare. There were no Holiday Inns or Motel 6s. The law commanded the Jews to treat strangers as themselves and not take advantage of them (Leviticus 19:33). It was wrong for them to charge money for travelers to spend the night. Because of this, it is highly unlikely that there was an inn in Bethlehem.

The term, inn, in the Bible can also refer to the guest room in a house. The Greek word for inn (kataluma) is only translated as inn in Luke 2:7. The other two times it appears (Mark 14:14 and Luke 22:11), it is translated as guest chamber (chamber is an old word for room) in the KJV. In those verses, it is obvious that it is a room in a house, not an inn.

Many people built guest rooms in their homes (usually as a second floor over their existing house with an external door and stairway) so that they could have a place for visitors to sleep, especially around Jerusalem. During Israel's three national holidays, Jews traveled from all over the country and lived in houses as non-paying guests in and around Jerusalem. Two of the holidays were a week long and so it required that the people with houses in Jerusalem and the surrounding cities be hospitable.

What is referred to as an inn in Bethlehem most likely was a guest room in someone's house. The guest room was full and so Mary and Joseph slept in the barn.

When the people in the guest room saw that Mary had given birth to Jesus, it is likely that someone offered to sleep in the barn so Mary and Jesus could sleep in the house. So the wise men could have come the day Jesus was born and found him in a house. The mention of a house does not require or hint that Jesus was not a baby.

But for argument's sake, let's say that everything in this section is wrong. There was an inn in Bethlehem and there was no room in the inn for Jesus. What form would this inn be in? A thirty story building able to sleep thousands with a big lighted sign on top that says, "Bethlehem Inn"? No. It was not in New York City in the twenty-first century. It was in Israel at the end of the BC era. They did not have skyscrapers. They had houses. If there had been an inn in Bethlehem, it would have been in a house, a house that the wise men came to. Again, the mention of a house does not require or hint that Jesus was not a baby.

Silhouette of a Camel Procession
The Wise Men Arrived in Jerusalem When Jesus Was Born
Another proof for the Wise Men/Baby Jesus view is Matthew 2:1. "Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem." (KJV) This verse states that the wise men came into Jerusalem "when Jesus was born". They did not come a year later. They came when he was born.

"When Jesus was born" is an aorist participle in Greek. It can be translated as "when Jesus was born", "after Jesus was born", or "Jesus was born and." Aorist participles are frequent in the New Testament. With an aorist participle, the action of the participle (Jesus was born) is closely followed by the action of the main verb (wise men came to Jerusalem). There was not a year or two or even a week or two between the time Jesus was born and when the wise men came into Jerusalem.

Bethlehem was only half a day’s walk from Jerusalem. It did not take the wise men long to get to Bethlehem after they arrived in Jerusalem when Jesus was born.

We Know When they Returned to Nazareth
Another proof for the Wise Men/Baby Jesus view is Joseph, Mary, and Jesus' return back to Nazareth. It only happened once and both the wise men account (Matthew) and the shepherd account (Luke) record it. In the shepherd account (Luke) it is very clear that they returned to Nazareth (Luke 2:39) very close to 40 days after Jesus was born, "when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished" (Luke 2:22). The wise men account (Matthew) tells us that they returned to Nazareth after their return from Egypt (Matthew 2:22,23). So the wise men's visit, Joseph and Mary's trip to Egypt, and their trip back, all of it had to have happened within 40 days of Jesus' birth.

A Picture of Bethlehem
The Christmas Timeline
How did these events fit together? Here is a narrative that combines the two accounts in chronological order.

Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem to be taxed. When they arrived, they went to Joseph’s relative's house. His relatives had a guest room, but the guest room was full, so they stayed in the barn.

Jesus was born at night in the barn. Angels appeared to shepherds telling them of Jesus' birth. They found Jesus lying in the feed trough of the barn. When they left, they told everyone what had happened. The news spread throughout that small village.

That night or the next morning Joseph's relative brought Mary and the baby into the house and kicked out some other distant relatives.

About this time the wise men entered Jerusalem asking where the Messiah was. Herod consulted the people whose job it is to copy the Old Testament by hand and they answered, Bethlehem. Herod asked the wise men to find the Messiah and then come back and tell him where the Messiah was.

The wise men left on the several hour trip to Bethlehem traveling in the cool of the night. The star reappeared and guided them to the house where Jesus was. They went into the house and gave him gifts.

As they slept that night, God warned them in a dream not to return to Herod but to go home a different way. They left.

The next night an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him to escape to Egypt. He, Mary, and Jesus set off for Egypt. After a few days journey Mary and Joseph arrived in Egypt.

Herod saw that the wise men had not returned. He got mad and killed all of the boys in the Bethlehem area that were two years old and younger.

Joseph, Mary, and Jesus stayed in Egypt for about a month. Herod died. An angel appeared in Joseph's dream again telling him it is alright to return to Israel.

They traveled to Jerusalem and went to the temple to offer the sacrifices required by the law. Simeon and Anna recognized the baby Jesus as the Messiah.

The proper thing for them to have done next would have been to go back to Bethlehem, tell the relatives and friends there that they were alright, and thank them for their hospitality, but talking with other worshippers at the temple, Joseph found out that Herod's son, Archelaus, had replaced Herod, and he was afraid to go to Bethlehem. Nervous about the attention his Son was getting in Jerusalem, they headed west out of Israel and then north to Nazareth.

How old was Jesus when the wise men came? The Bible does not say exactly how old He was, but from what it says we can make a safe guess that He was from 0 days old to several days old. He was not one or two years old.
-------

What did gold, frankincense, and myrrh represent?
Bible Question:
What did gold, frankincense, and myrrh have to do with gifts to Christ? What do the gifts represent?

Bible Answer:
Gold, frankincense, and myrrh were the gifts that were given to Jesus by the wise men according to Matthew 2:11.

And they came into the house and saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell down and worshiped Him; and opening their treasures they presented to Him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh. Matthew 2:11 (NASB)

Myrrh, Gold and Frankincense
Gift of Gold
The gift of gold was considered worthy of a king. The buildings and treasures of kings and pharaohs from the ancient past have left reminders that gold was the prize of rulers and kings. Both secular and biblical kings greatly valued gold. The following two passages reveal that King Solomon acquired valued gold and King Nebuchadnezzar made a gold idol or image of himself.

All King Solomon’s drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold; silver was not considered valuable in the days of Solomon. 2 Chronicles 9:20 (NASB)

Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, the height of which was sixty cubits and its width six cubits; he set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. Daniel 3:1 (NASB)

While gold can be a gift for anyone, gold was a gift especially worthy for kings.

Frankincense Tree
Gift of Frankincense
Frankincense comes from tree resins. Frankincense was once greatly valued throughout the Middle East from Rome to India. It was very expensive and has a wonderful fragrance. Frankincense occurs fifteen times in the Bible. A quick survey reveals it was used primarily in biblical times for making incense (Exodus 30:34) and as an ingredient in sacrifices (Leviticus 2:1-2). Song of Solomon 3:6; 4:14 reveals it was also an ingredient in perfume. Since frankincense was primarily used in the Bible in worship, frankincense speaks of the worship of God..

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Take for yourself spices, stacte and onycha and galbanum, spices with pure frankincense; there shall be an equal part of each. Exodus 30:34 (NASB)

Myrrh Tree
Gift of Myrrh
Myrrh is extruded from the gum of the Commiphora myrrh plant. Myrrh was less expensive than frankincense, but was still highly valued. Myrrh is referred to seventeen times in the Bible and is first mentioned in Genesis 37:25, where it was being carried by camels in a caravan. Myrrh was used for a variety of purposes in biblical times as a perfume (Song of Solomon 1:13; 3:6; 4:6, 14; 5:1, 5, 13), an anesthetic, for burial embalming (John 19:39), as an ingredient in anointing oil (Exodus 30:23-25), and to deodorize clothes. According to Esther 2:12, it was also used in a cosmetic for women. John 19:39 records that myrrh was used in Jesus’ burial.

Nicodemus, who had first come to Him by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds weight. John 19:39 (NASB)

In the New Testament, myrrh is primarily associated with death.

Conclusion:
Since gold, frankincense and myrrh were highly prized by kings and emperors, these magi gave Jesus three very expensive gifts. The gift of gold was a king’s gift and Christ is our King. Frankincense was a worthy gift for Christ since He was the anointed One who deserves our worship. Myrrh was a prophetic gift because Jesus would die for the sins of the world.

Dr. J. Vernon McGee makes this comment about the three gifts.

Gold speaks of His birth. He is born a King. Frankincense speaks of the fragrance of His life. Myrrh speaks of His death. All of this is indicated in the gifts that were brought to Him at His first coming.[1]



-------
Comments.
Blake Fite says

April 30, 2017 at 1:19 pm

Was Jesus a social entrepreneurial carpenter or a minimalist who today would live in a tiny home? That is something I have asked myself. I would assert Jesus was neither poor or rich is not the answer to the broader question he was asking. The rich young ruler asked Jesus how he could be perfect. Jesus said if you want to be perfect then sell all you have and follow me. He was not condemning the rich nor the poor necessarily. What he was asking was what was the status of this young man’s heart and my heart as I seek to provide for my family and reach those around me for Christ.



December 27, 2017 at 2:39 pm

I am a firm believer that jesus was not poor. The bible states that judas Iscariot was Jesus’s treasurer. He handled Jesus’s monie bag. Anyone who required a treasurer would.habe not been poor. When jesus said he had no where to lay his head he was saying he has no home. Not that he was poor.


May 7, 2018 at 3:50 am

The beginning of Christ ministry showed us his temptations and one of the three was wealth and earthly glories, my conclusion is, the wealth of this world belong to the kingdom of darkness, and for us as Christians, the teachings of Christ mandated us to be perfect as he is, Christ was definitely poor, he taught us that sufficient for the day is the evil thereof, this is as much as is permissible for us to sort after, whereby we should be more concerned with the gospel. This brings to mind in the gospel of John, when Christ said to apostle Peter who led the other disciples to go fishing, saying to him: “loveth thou me more than this? The love of God and his Christ is the ultimate crave of a true Christian, all other things are secondary, therefore Christianity will naturally lead to poverty because of the buffeting of the devil. To attain christ-like perfection a true Christian must be poor. The message in the book of revelation to the seven church shows only two were perfect in all their ways, and the synonyms of these two church is poverty, weakness, and great persecutions showing the suffering we must endure, part of the mandatory suffering a true Christian must be able to endure is definitely poverty. God bless.


January 26, 2019 at 7:18 pm

Psalms 24:1.
“A Psalm of David. The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.”
Modern English Version Bible
Proverbs 13:22.
“A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.”
Modern English Version Bible
Romans 8:17
“And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”
Modern English Version Bible

**From Psalms 24 you know that it was impossible for Jesus to be poor, for all things belonged to him from the foundation of the world because he created it all. When it is said that he used things which were borrowed, it is wrong he cannot borrow what belongs to him.

xx Just like Christ we as the children of God cannot be poor since we are joint-heirs with Christ meaning like him we own all the fullness of the earth.


November 9, 2019 at 12:16 pm

Jesus can be seen as everything and nothing at the same time. He is both dark skinned and light skinned; wealthy and poor; trusting and judgmental; he is a paradox to our thinking so that he challenges all of us to think beyond our own perspective.

Many men have written what they believe he meant by his words, even if he meant nothing at all or actually said what has been written. Men of wealth and power use the teachings to build their worldly kingdoms the same as the poorest hide their sins of poverty behind their rationale of his grace. All sins are equal and all of us are sinners in need salvation.

The question is: Do we have the capacity (understanding+will+commitment) to acknowledge our sins so that we may begin to embrace the possibilities of a divine humanity?

To believe that humans are capable of this takes a divine faith in humanity that is pure in purpose. Isn’t this what he in theory and through accounts was?

We need not cite scripture or historical record for you to know of this truth.


June 21, 2018 at 12:48 pm

** You guys are far too religious to understand. Jesus owns all things. He has the ability to take a rock and turn its atomic structure into bread. Do you guys know what happens when you split an atom? Do you know how many atoms are inside a rock. Billions of not trillions. Splitting and fusing billions of atoms would turn the earth into literal dust. He is capable of doing it while containing all the energy!!! He turned water into wine. Not just a drop, but gallons of it. He multiplied fish and bread like a star trek replicator. He had fish bring him money, commanded fish to jump into nets, use transportation and anti gravity at a time when people still went to the bathroom outdoors. This guy was so beyond rich that when you have the power over all matter you no longer need to hoard things. Imagine if you had a replicator where when you wanted a cold beer you just spoke the words and out pops a beer. Would you also need a fridge stock piled with beer? Of course you wouldn’t. Would you need a bank account or a store house if you possessed control over all matter? Jesus was beyond what minds can think of as rich.


August 9, 2018 at 2:19 am

Amen Hotzpacho!

Loading...
Reply
Patrick Ashiedu says

June 25, 2018 at 10:54 pm

Jesus was not rich as to the things of men. But he was rich as to the things of God. The earth itself and creature is His. He owns the earth and the creature So it is belittling to say he is rich as to earthly things, he doesn’t need it. It will be a distraction to His mission. He is God of both the poor and the rich. If he had taken the form of a rich man His reputation will be too high that the poor will not hear him. So He choose to take the form of a humble poor person without reputation so the poor, the republicans and the sinners can hear him and be saved.
Luke 15:1
Jesus is beyond earthly riches He can not be regarded as rich or poor person even though he chose to appear as poor. He is neither poor or rich as to the things of this world .He is God. He is beyond both.
Jesus Christ is not against wealth he is against pride and setting your heart upon wealth above heavenly treasures. Have riches but be content with what you need and give out the rest to help the needy. Wealth is good for helping not for oppressing the poor and needy.


August 27, 2018 at 8:19 am

Best answer yet!
Read John 1:1 & John 17:5 to see when Jesus was rich. Material wealth is looking at the world through a carnally mind. Jesus never look through a carnal mind.


July 13, 2018 at 8:40 pm

** How in the heck can you believe he was poor? I honest to god believe that Christians dont think. They’re in obedience mode trying to show god how good they can be. Its pathetic.

1. All the old testament miracles where types and shadows of jesus so that means he can do all of them such as produce free flowing oil and flour, manna from the sky, food, weather, sickness and death control.
2. In the new testament he commanded fish to enter the net of peter in 2 occasions.
3. He commanded fish to bring gold.
4. He could change (transmutate) atoms into different molecular compounds such as water to wine and rocks to bread.
5. He could multiply fish and bread (this means he could control nuclear fusion without generating a worldwide destruction).
6. He controlled the weather
7. He could heal sick and bring back people from the dead.
8. He physically transported from one location to another.
9. He could prevent any sort of physical harm.
10. He had antigravity authority.

The word rich isn’t even able to describe this man’s wealth. His physical wealth is beyond measurable.


August 27, 2018 at 8:23 am

** Read John 1:1 & John 17:5. Do you really think the Son of God was worried about material possessions? Our true riches are from above and not below. You’re still looking at the gospel in a carnal state if you’re focusing on material wealth. Yes God can and will bless us but that doesn’t indicate your holiness or His favor. Many atheist are wealthy with no hope.



November 25, 2018 at 8:07 am

Jesus created the universe,how can he be poor?during his 33 earthly years as a human he had a humble and modest life but he was not rich.i he wanted he could have turned the stone into gold or precios stone but he didnt because his mission on earth was to save us.Collosian 1.4 says all things were created by him truough him for him1without him nothing was created.



December 11, 2018 at 12:40 am

Jesus was not Poor.

People who think or Say Jesus was poor have no revelation or understanding of the scriptures.
Proverbs10:15 King James Bible
The rich man’s wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty.
Good News Translation
Wealth protects the rich; poverty destroys the poor.

Matthew 5:17 King James Bible
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

2 Corinthians 8:9 King James Bible
For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
In this Chapter Paul is talking about a financial offering.
Always read scriptures in context.

2 Corinthians 13:1
King James Bible
This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.

I rest my Case.



September 14, 2019 at 11:18 am

If I may say something that many people might not understand. Using someone as an example who everybody thinks they know, but in reality don’t, is almost unfathomable. Borderline insanity. For example:

Let’s say millions of people held beliefs about a certain person, including the most basic of info, such as being Jewish, born in Jerusalem, in December.

Now let’s say none of the basics were true. That in reality, the person wasn’t Jewish but Lebanese, wasn’t born in Jerusalem but in the district of Phoenicia, of lower Galilee in Lebanon, and wasn’t born in December but in April.

All pretty basic stuff that isn’t even true. So what are the odds about all the other beliefs being true?

Now let’s say a book gave certain hints to truths, but those hints went ignored or missed? For example:

Lets say a book which millions of people read everyday described a person as having “hair like wool and feet like bronze” and his native language was Aramaic. Clearly a man with thick hair & dark skin who speaks an Arabic dialect. Makes sense for that region. But despite the books descriptions, millions of people still believe in a thin haired light skin Jewish man.

Clearly if the man was Jewish, his native language would be Hebrew. But it’s Aramaic, indicative of Lebanese in that region. Some might say Aramaic is a Hebrew dialect, but it’s not. I know because I happen to speak it. And if I say things in front of Jews & Arabs, only Arabs can understand enough to hold conversations. That’s because it’s an Arabic dialect, nowhere even close to Hebrew.

Western Aramaic is still spoken in very few specific regions of Lebanon, as opposed to the more common Eastern.

Now we know the bible shows Jesus greeted & departed using the phrase “Peace be upon you.” In his native language of Aramaic it’s pronounced “Asalamualykum”.

This means Jesus, a man millions of people think they know, wasn’t a thin haired Jew born in Jerusalem, or Bethlehem, or even Nazareth (which didn’t exist yet) on December 25th or December. He didn’t even like Jews, as much they didn’t like him. He thought them to liars, cheats, thieves and murderers. Money Changers who he chased from the temple.

Now let’s say that book had a Mathew 26:39. And you happen to be one of the few smart people that can comprehend what you’re looking at with common sense. Suddenly you realize everything you know, through what you’ve been told, are pure lies. And if the person you thought knew isn’t that person at all, then just who in the Sam Hell have you been talking about?

And worse, what if you actually meet that person one day. He’s standing there looking majestic in all white with his hair flowing, and you walk up to him saying “Hello…I know everything about you, Jesus.” and the person say’s “Oh, I’m sorry, but I’m not Jesus… he’s that guy over there… the one you just passed & didn’t even notice, because you were too busy focused on me.”

And then the real Jesus say’s “How can you love me when you don’t even know me & haven’t cared enough to take the time to learn the real truth about me… who I really was or what I really did? You say you followed me, but you didn’t, you just listened to others & followed them.”

Talk about an uncomfortable situation that’s embarrassing.



March 4, 2020 at 9:30 pm

Jesus was certainly not poor, Mary and Joseph may have given the two pigeons as a temple sacrifice however this way before the wisemen came and gave the frankincense, myrh and Gold, which made them very wealthy. The wisemen came to their home two years later when Jesus was a child, scripture makes that clear.
Luke 9:58 or Matthew 8:20 has been taken completely out of context. The son of man has no where to lay his head! what did Jesus mean? He was saying that He had no where as of yet to lay His headship, he needed a body to lay His head, the body of Christ has a head, meaning Jesus. Foxes have holes to raise their young ones, birds of the air likewise, but the son of man was looking for maturity in order to lay His headship. ** Peter was a fisherman so he was by no means poor. He had boats and nets at home. Matthew the tax collector, well we already knew he had money. Luke was a physician. He stayed at Mary and Martha’s place in bethany often, He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the lake, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali… (Matthew 4:13)
When he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. So many gathered around that there was no longer room for them, not even in front of the door; and he was speaking the word to them. (Mark 2:1-2)
If Jesus was homeless, it’s strange that so many well to do were delighted to house Him when He came to their town.
Pharisees openly welcomed him and His disciples to stay.
** When Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding feast at cana it was obvious that this family were of good standing they had wine, they were not homeless.
I hear you, but you are making the scriptures represent something they certainly are not. Another one we hear often is in Acts 2:45
They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. It made complete sense to do this, all the believers knew the tribulation that caused the place to be desolate was coming, a complete destruction of Jerusalem and its temple, so they sold all of their possessions and waited for the appointed time to flee. ** They were not just being good socialists and giving to others in need, they were preparing.
have an awesomely blessed day.


August 15, 2020 at 2:47 am

** I believe that Jesus was not poor even in birth. If you go back to Mary’s situation, she was able to afford to visit her cousin Elizabeth, a trip that took several days (by herself, most probably, and at the tender age of 16). Then to travel to Bethlehem with Joseph whilst 9 months pregnant. It had to be a matter of life and death on undertaking that journey if you did not have any provisions for food and clothing.
I consider myself financially stable, but when I walked the Camino de Santiago, at one town, there literally was no room/bed except for one bed with 30 other people in the room, and that bed was nearest the toilet/washroom so I experienced everyone go by my bed going to the toilet. I went to all the guesthouses mentioned in the guidebook and the places were fully booked. I also know that my friends slept at the doorway to the church because they also no places to sleep. So it does not mean that sleeping in the lower floor of a house where the animals were kept would equate to poverty. Mary and Joseph had no choice. She was most probably having labour pains by the time they got to Bethlehem and this being her first (and last) time in labour, she needed to find a place to deliver- pronto!