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Jesus, the Money Man
A fourth of Jesus's parables dealt with money or wealth. He understood that we, the people, understood money. He used it to explain complicated concepts like forgiveness and salvation
FAITHPARABLELIFESTYLECOURSE
Karyn Beach
12/4/20252 min read
Out of 40 parables, 10 of them, a fourth, deal with money or wealth. Now, before you get carried away, Jesus is Jesus and not Dave Ramsey. He’s not a finance guy. So, why all the focus on money you might ask. Well, because Jesus knew that we might not know a lot about forgiveness or salvation but we know what it is like to work for, earn and even waste money. Jesus knew that putting difficult concepts into any easy-to-understand format was a good idea. Money was that good idea.
Just like today, in biblical times, people understood money. They understood working for their money and what it meant not to get what you felt you deserved. They knew what it meant to be cheated or to work hard for just enough. Jesus got it.
As a corporate trainer, I learned a long time ago that learning works best when you can take an unfamiliar concept and explain it using a concept that people are already familiar with. I’ve been in this field long enough to remember when computers were a new concept for almost everyone … pre-Y2K (if you know what Y2K is and if you were around for it, you are not allowed to make fun of my age). I was able to teach saving documents and files using a traditional paper-based file cabinet. Because everyone had used a file cabinet, filed and created manila folders, they got it.
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered it up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. ~ Matthew 13:44
Jesus used the same principle. Explain something that is difficult to understand by using a common and easily understood concept. When Jesus compared the Kingdom of Heaven to a man who found a treasure, people understood. Of course, everyone hasn’t found a priceless treasure but most of us have imagined what we would do if we did. Jesus made what we should do and how we should sacrifice for the Kingdom of Heaven accessible.
We value money. We understand money. Jesus wants us to value and understand salvation even more. If he has to use parables about money to make us see it, then that is what he’ll do.