Jesus’ teaching on wealth
In Matthew’s Gospel (6:19-21) Jesus specifies the difference between treasures on Earth and in Heaven.
Do not store up riches for yourselves here on earth, where moths and rust destroy, and robbers break in and steal. Instead, store up riches for yourselves in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and robbers cannot break in and steal. For your heart will always be where your riches are.
This passage defines the difference between the two riches:
- treasures on Earth are temporary, materialistic and limited
- treasures in Heaven are eternal
Wealth on Earth cannot compare to the treasures of Heaven. In order to gain heavenly treasure, an individual has to forgo temptations on Earth, and if they are wealthy then their riches should be given away and used to help those in need and not stored up.
Christianity teaches that it is important for people to carry out good deeds during their time on Earth, as this will be rewarded in the afterlife. These good deeds must be things which are motivated by love, and benefit others.
The faith also teaches that as well as good deeds being rewarded in the afterlife, bad deeds will be punished, so they will always try to do what is right.
Jesus’ teaching about carrying out good deeds can be found in the Bible, where he makes a comparison between carrying out good deeds and putting money into the bank:
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
The message of this teaching is that worldly goods can be stolen, or even perish, but good deeds are more spiritual and their spiritual value will be revealed after death.
Jesus taught in parables about wealth and what those who are wealthy should do with it.
It is much harder for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God than for a camel to go through the eye of a needle.
The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus
In the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, the rich man does nothing while alive to help Lazarus, a poor beggar, and when he dies the rich man goes to Hell whilst Lazarus goes to Heaven. While in Hell the rich man asks Abraham for some relief and he is declined, in the same way that he did nothing to help Lazarus. He also asks Abraham if he can go and warn his brothers, but once again is declined, as his brothers have the to listen to.
Remember, my son, that in your lifetime you were given all the good things, while Lazarus got all the bad things. But now he is enjoying himself here, while you are in pain.
This parable sends the message that worldly and earthly possessions are of no benefit in the afterlife. Those who have suffered on Earth will receive their reward in Heaven.
