Did Jesus's teachings about wealth imply a personal background of poverty?
Mmmmaybe:
"Seek his treasure that is unfailing, that is enduring, where no moth comes to eat and no worm destroys."
"A slave cannot serve two masters, otherwise that slave will honor the one and offend the other."
"Do not fret, from morning to evening and from evening to morning, about what you are going to wear-- you're much better than the lilies, which neither card nor spin."
"Congratulations to the poor, for to you belongs Heaven's kingdom."
"Buyers and merchants will not enter the places of my Father."
"Congratulations to those who go hungry, so the stomach of the one in want may be filled."
"If you have money, don't lend it at interest-- rather, give it to someone from whom you won't get it back."
"Foxes have their dens and birds have their nests, but human beings have no place to lay down and rest."
"Whoever has something in hand will be given more, and whoever has nothing will be deprived of even the little they have."
Crossan argues that Antipas's building projects in Sepphoris and Tiberias must have drained and even displaced Galilean peasants, but I don't think the historical record supports this. [background] [anti]
