3 Things Jesus Didn’t Say About Money, Wealth, and Possessions
What Jesus really taught according to Scripture.
ChristChrist Fellowship Team
Did you know that Jesus spoke about money and possessions more than any other topic during His ministry on Earth? Since Jesus had a lot to say about money, wealth, and generosity, we should pay close attention—not only to what He did say but also to what He didn’t say.
1. Jesus Never Said Wealth Is Bad
Jesus didn’t say that money, wealth, or possessions were bad. Instead, He said that the love of money puts us at risk of wavering from our faith.
In Jesus's Sermon on the Mount, He teaches against serving two masters. Matthew 6:24 says: “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
In the Parable of the Sower Jesus explains: “And others are the ones sown among thorns. They are those who hear the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful” (Mark 4:18-19).
Money itself is not evil–money is neutral. If God deemed riches evil, why would He bless His righteous people with financial wealth? The Old Testament is saturated with righteous men of God blessed with wealth and riches. Abraham is described as being "very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold," and Solomon had more wealth than anyone else recorded in history! Then there is King David—the man after God’s own heart. The Lord knew that David’s love for Him, along with his humility and faith, would allow David to be blessed with unparalleled treasures without corrupting his character.
Jesus never said that money is bad. It is our relationship with money and possessions that Jesus warns us about.
2. Jesus Never Said Wealthy People Can’t Enter Heaven
Following Jesus’ interaction with the Rich Young Ruler, Jesus says, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:23-26).
This passage is not saying wealth is bad and rich people will not enter Heaven. Rather, this passage reminds us that, on our own, it is impossible to change the human heart. But, be encouraged! By the power of God, we can overcome the deceptiveness of wealth and the enticements of this world that pull us away from our relationship with Him.
3. Jesus Didn’t Say Not to Tithe
While Jesus was vocal about the issue of money and possessions, He never specifically taught about giving a tithe. This does not mean that the tithe was no longer relevant. In fact, Jesus encouraged a broader understanding of giving. The New Testament emphasizes giving generously and sacrificially, not just a fixed percentage, to support the Church and the needs of others.
One of the most common debates against the tithe is the claim that it’s “Old Testament Law.” Jesus made it very clear what His stance was when it came to the Law. In Matthew 5:17, Jesus says, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” Jesus also says in Matthew 23:23, “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.”
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus elevates the expectation and holds our hearts accountable, (not just our actions). This means we should follow the practice of tithing but also give from a willing heart and not out of obligation. 2 Corinthians 9:7 encourages generosity and joy in giving, highlighting that “God loves a cheerful giver.”
Stewarding Our Lives For Eternity
Jesus' teachings on money, wealth, and possessions challenge us to live with an eternal perspective. He didn't say that wealth was bad, but He did warn us against the dangers of loving money and putting wealth (and the things of this world) above our relationship with God. As Christ followers, we are called to be faithful stewards of the resources God has given us, and to use them to further God's Kingdom and to bless others.
Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything.
The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.
Proverbs 11:24-25
By aligning our hearts and actions with Jesus' teachings, we can live lives that reflect God’s Kingdom—where true riches are found—not in earthly wealth, but in our relationship with Him.
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