Wealth

            The last two passages move from the topic of provision to the topic of wealth. Although Jesus has nothing against wealth, he views wealth with suspicion. Market economies are predicated upon the generation, exchange and accumulation of privately-owned wealth. This reality is so deeply embedded in many societies that the pursuit and accumulation of personal wealth has become for many an end in itself. But, as we have seen, Jesus does not see the accumulation of wealth as a proper end in itself. Just as one’s work (modeled upon the life of Jesus) must exhibit a profound concern for others and an unwillingness to use work-related power or authority only for self-gain, so also wealth must be used with  a deep concern for neighbors. While Luke’s second volume, Acts (see “Acts and Work” at www.theologyofwork.org), has more wealth-related material, his gospel also poses significant challenges to dominant assumptions about wealth.