Saturday, March 26, 2016

The Wealthy Disciple





"Truly I say to you all, it will be difficult for a rich man (plousios) to enter the kingdom of heaven." 
- Jesus (Matt 19:23)

"When it was evening, there came a rich man (plousios) from Arimathea, Joseph by name, who also had become a disciple of Jesus. This man approached Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be handed over. Taking the body, Joseph wrapped it in clean linen, and laid it in his own new tomb, that he had hewn in the rock." (Matt 27:57-60)

Matthew's gospel exemplifies Joseph in the use of his great wealth. Joseph's great wealth enables him to request and receive the crucified body of Jesus, and bury him in a tomb he invested in for his own family. The use of his riches illustrates his great faith, hope, and love.

The deceitfulness of riches didn't choke the Word Joseph trusted and followed (Matt 13:22-23). In joy, he went and gave all that he had, even the rock of his own field which he labored to make available (13:44). Out of his own good treasure he brought good for others (12:35), for where his treasure was buried, there was his heart also (6:21).







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