Christ Demands Allegiance of Both Classes

Below is an article that me and a friend wrote for an assignment for school. We were asked to do something that challenged the "world's spirit." We wanted to challenge the anti-wealth mentality of many activists and to portray the fact that God demands that rich and poor alike walk humbly before His throne.

Christ came and walked among the masses. He met with the weak throughout his ministry, calling forth the beggars, prostitutes and refuse of society. However, we can also see that he called out and challenged the powerful and wealthy. He went to Matthew the tax collector, met with the Pharisee Nicodemus, aided Centurions, and ate with the tax collector Zacchaeus. But of course, after Jesus’ crucifixion, Joseph of Arimathea (a wealthy man and a disciple of the Messiah) came to bury the body of Christ (with Nicodemus).

Luke 16 tells of a tale of Lazarus and the rich man in the afterlife. The rich man was punished for he already received his reward. Christ would periodically challenge rich people to release their wealth and follow Him. Christ put forth this challenge to make the rich choose between their love of money and following Christ. In the parables of the “Talents” in Matthew 25, a powerful landowner gave his servants a set amount of talents and desired them to invest wisely. Whether they were given five or one talents, the owner wanted them to multiply that amount, and even punished the one who did not invest. He desires the powerful, wealthy, weak, and poor to use their talents and abilities for the Kingdom.

Then there is the person of Lydia. We meet Lydia in Acts 16: 11-15. It is here that we learn that she is a “dealer in purple cloth.” A short history lesson; purple is the color of royalty, hence why it was mocking for the soldiers in Mark 15: 17 to place a purple robe around his shoulders when he claimed to be the King of the Jews. If one was dealing in purple cloth you can assume that they were of no meager means. Lydia, in Acts 16: 15, accepts the gospel along with her whole household. She then asks Paul, Silas, and Timothy to stay at her house. If the lord favored the poor why did he call Lydia? And why didn’t he ask her to give up all her wealth to follow him like he did the rich young ruler? I think the answer may lie in the desires of Lydia’s heart, rather then the size of her bank account.

“People who want to get rich fall into temptation(s)… that plunge men into ruin and destruction.” (1 Timothy 6: 9) Here we see that it is the desire to “get rich” which causes many problems, not the money. In fact in 2 Corinthians 9: 11 it says “You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us [the church] your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” This sounds to me that God would have us prosper so that we can give. We are essentially “Blessed to be a Blessing,” as my church would say. So let us be aware of whom God is. He is a God for sinners, rich or poor.

The anti-wealth mentality of many “do-gooders” is something to be applauded, however, perhaps these have (to borrow from Adventures in Missing the Point) missed the point. Christ met with the poor people and rich people alike throughout his earthly ministry. He met with the Roman centurions and with the beggars. He called both fishermen and tax collectors. Lesslie Newbigin would state that “his cross is not for some and against others,” it is for all people! He challenged people and classes where they were.

Yes, God is for justice, but perhaps the Lord seeks to have the oppressors and the oppressed to bow down before the cross in humility. Once they would do this, then perhaps true justice and peace can reign throughout the land. It is amazing that Christians, like William Wilberforce of the abolitionary forces in England, can be empowered through God’s grace to end injustice. Through someone who lays their life daily before the altar, amazing things can occur and mountains can be moved. Wilberforce and others used their status and power to further justice and societal transformation. God is interested in the souls of the rich and poor alike, and He wants both to willingly give their allegiance to Him.