Ev and I were talking about Jesus and how we did not think he was a pauper in His ministry in the earth so I thought I would start the thread. :)
Many people use the verse in Matthew 8:20
"And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head." to say that Jesus was poor, and also the illustration of the young man giving his possessions away that Jesus wants us to be poor too.
They say that because He did not have a place to lay His head that He did not have a house but John chapter 1 verses 38-39 says "Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, RED What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?
39 He saith unto them, RED Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day for it was about the tenth hour."
In Jesus ministry Judas Iscariot carried the purse, and was stealing out of it (so they had a purse that people gave unto for His ministry). Judas said why didn't Mary sell and give money to the poor about the alabaster box and insense, not because he cared for the poor, but because he wanted the money for himself. So Jesus's ministry was giving to the poor it seems.
The soldiers parted lots over Jesus vesture. Do you part lots over some poor man's clothes?
As to why He was born in a stable like the little lambs saved for passover, it is because He is the Lamb of God and was to be our passover sacrifice so He came just as the lambs did.
The rich man that Christ told to sell all that he had was putting his money above the Lord, what that young man never realized is that he would have had so much more if he would have just obeyed! If you give all that you have can you imagine the return? Jesus saw his heart and that He worshiped money more than God. God does not want us to put anything above him. The love of money is the root of all evil, not money itself. We need money, to pay our bills, to get by, and we need money to do other things for other people. Buy them food, gas to take them here or there, and so many other ways to help. John 1 chapter 1 verse 1 says I would you prosper and be in health even as thy soul prospereth. We are to prosper in all areas, health, finances, spiritually, mind body and soul. Especially spiritually. Seek ye first the kingdom of God and the other things will follow.
Jesus does not want us to be poor and in poverty, it is something the devil wishes believers to think because he knows they will be more limited to help that way. Jesus does want us to give, and how can we give without having anything to give? After all, Jesus and the Heavenly Father are the largest givers at all--God gave His Son for the world and Jesus gave His life!
Deuteronomy says that you will be blessed in the city, blessed in the field, blessed going in and blessed going out if you obey God. There is always an IF with God. He'll keep His part if you'll yours. It also goes on to say that poverty and sickness are the curse. We are redeemed from the curse, Jesus Christ has redeemed us.
When Jesus was teaching and spreading the gospel, He went to different cities, towns, and villages. During this time while He was traveling, there were times when He didn't have a place to sleep. That's when He said in Matthew 8:20:
"And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head." If you reread the whole chapter He wasn't at home in Jerusalem at that time.
Of course, Jesus wants us to have our hearts desire, and He plainly states as such. He wants us to have "abundant life" as He clearly states also.
Relevant Scripture: John 10:10
10The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Relevant Scripture: Mark 10:29-31
29And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, 30But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. 31But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.
"Jesus does not want us to be poor and in poverty, it is something the devil wishes believers to think because he knows they will be more limited to help that way."
That is very true. The devil is the Deceiver, and we must be aware of his deception and lies.
Relevant Scripture: Matthew 10:16
“Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents and harmless as doves”.
[quote]the illustration of the young man giving his possessions away that Jesus wants us to be poor too[/quote]
I have never heard this passage interpreted that Jesus wants us poor. How I have heard it explained is that He was testing this man's heart. Anything that comes between us and the Lord has to be dealt with. In this case, it was the man's money.
[quote]The soldiers parted lots over Jesus vesture. Do you part lots over some poor man's clothes? [/quote]
This was to fulfill prophecy concerning his death. The issue of the clothing was irrelevant. IMHO :)
...He hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him. Isaiah 53:2b
"denotes His humble origin, not His physical appearance. This description does not mean that He will be homely, but that He will not appear on the scene in the regalia of a king. He will come as one who is common." Nelson KJV Study Bible
I've attended many churches and the only ones that have made an issue out of this question have been 'Word of Faith' churches and TV teachers. The following articles contain many direct quotes from many Word of Faith teachers.
A poor man does not have his needs met, he lives a lacking life. Yet through scripture when you read the full gospel you realize that even though Jesus didn't live the "cushy" lifestyle that is portrayed in this age, His needs were met.
his needs were met because he was God. He always had his needs met because of his followers, the women who followed him probably make his garments, because they loved him. he always had his food met, in the villages, always invited to share with them and his deciples. No he was not rich. Just an average wandering jew preaching the new testiment. where ever he went people waited for him. Iam sure if he had any money he would give it to the poor, who he loved,. Jesus is God, and God is love.
fetched in 0.44 sec
at 6/19/2013 10:38:05 AM, requested by 107.22.25.119, referred by http://curezone.com/forums/am.asp?i=404482 , requested 1 pages in this session, y=1
Home
Jesus--was He poor? 
