Jesus Wasn't Poor
David W Palmer
(John 13:29 NLT) Since Judas was their treasurer, some thought Jesus was telling him to go and pay for the food or to give some money to the poor.
Jesus may not have been considered rich in the normal or worldly way we think of it, but he certainly wasn’t poor. In this verse, we see that he needed a treasurer. Not many poor men have their own treasurer.
We also see that “some” thought Jesus was telling Judas to pay the caterer. A poor man, who is bound by lack, usually struggles to find enough food for himself, let alone host and pay for a lavish sit-down meal for thirteen people in a private “upper” room.
Scripture also reveals that Jesus had access to the resources to feed thousands of people in a wilderness:
(Luke 9:14–17 NLT) For there were about 5,000 men there. Jesus replied, “Tell them to sit down in groups of about fifty each.” {15} So the people all sat down. {16} Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he kept giving the bread and fish to the disciples so they could distribute it to the people. {17} They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers!
Jesus could also pay over and above on his taxes. (We note that people with no income don’t usually pay tax.)
(Matthew 17:25, 27 NKJV) … And when he had come into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or from strangers?” ... {27} “Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you.”
Also:
Jesus rode a new donkey when he needed to
He had a house to stay in
He had a tailored garment so valuable that soldiers gambled for it
He had twelve men on his staff
But, unlike a poor man:
Jesus was able to fill commercial fishing boats with fish.
He didn’t have to walk everywhere he went; when he wanted to travel by boat or donkey, he did.
He even had some very rich people in his congregation who God used to supply for Jesus and his staff:
(Luke 8:1, 3 NLT) Soon afterward Jesus began a tour of the nearby towns and villages, preaching and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom of God. He took his twelve disciples with him, ... {3} Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s business manager; Susanna; and many others who were contributing from their own resources to support Jesus and his disciples.
Although the stable and the manger were humble surroundings, Jesus certainly didn’t start his life on earth in poverty:
(Matthew 2:1–2, 11 NLT) Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, {2} “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” ... {11} They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
While on earth, Jesus didn’t live in self-indulgent luxury, amass stockpiles of gold and finery; he didn’t live in isolated superiority by oppressing and robbing from his subjects, but he wasn’t poor. Jesus gave to the poor and blessed the poor. Jesus had the resources and cash he needed when he needed it. Jesus enjoyed the opulence and lavish surroundings of heaven before and after his time on earth, but he temporarily went without that while completing his assignment among us. Despite being away from the richness of heaven’s magnificence, during his time on earth Jesus was not broke, restrained by limitations, or restricted by lack while here.
Poverty describes a person who cannot meet their own needs; and in one sense, this does apply to Jesus and us in him:
(Luke 6:20 NKJV) Then He lifted up His eyes toward His disciples, and said: “Blessed are you poor, For yours is the kingdom of God.”
Jesus said here that his disciples were “poor.” At that time, they may not have been able to meet their own needs; but he had trained them how to live in God’s kingdom and how to fulfill the King’s assignments for them. Consequently, the King met their needs; Jesus said that God’s kingdom was theirs:
(Ezekiel 46:18 NKJV) “Moreover the prince shall not take any of the people’s inheritance by evicting them from their property; he shall provide an inheritance for his sons from his own property.”
Obviously, God’s resources and the provisions of his kingdom completely eclipses anything we can provide for ourselves. This is why Jesus suggested that we follow his example by impoverishing ourselves in regard to our own wealth in the world’s system:
(Luke 12:31–34 NKJV) “But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you. {32} Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. {33} Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. {34} For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
We may temporarily impoverish ourselves by giving what we already have to the poor, to enrich them; but when we do, Jesus said that we make ourselves eligible for the “treasure” of heaven. This after all is the example Jesus gave us to imitate:
(2 Corinthians 8:9 NKJV) For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.
Jesus divested himself of the immeasurable riches of heaven to come here so that he could:
(Luke 4:18 NKJV) “… preach the gospel to the poor; …”
Today …
(Matthew 6:8 NKJV) “… your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.”
And your Father certainly can provide for you:
(1 Corinthians 10:26 NKJV) For “the earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness.”
But we need to ensure that we have completely relinquished our own kingdom, along with the world’s way to meet our own needs; and that we are completely dependent on God’s kingdom to access all this fullness:
(Luke 12:32–33 NLT) “So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom. {33} Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it.”
To walk in the limitless provision of God’s kingdom, we have completely to step away from our own provision.
Note: the word, “pro”-vision, means, “for the vision.” God’s kingdom resources are available through faith to those on the King’s royal assignments, fulfilling Father’s vision. Is this you? Are you seeking your own kingdom or his? Are you fearfully trying to meet your own needs? To access God’s limitless resources the way Jesus did, he tells us what to do:
God has a plan for your provision today—whatever your need.
He longs for your complete trust. Give him what pleases him—faith—and watch what he can do.
(Hebrews 11:6 NKJV) But without faith it is impossible to please Him.