No matter how it seems, Luke's Jesus isn't just a belligerent rich-guy hater. He's more interested in what chasing after wealth does to people. Money makes people want things, and according to Luke, it dictates their actions, closes them to certain realities, and leaves them short-changed at the end of their lives. How are we supposed to reconcile these concepts in a world where everything is market-this and economy-that? Man, the Bible can be one tough nut to crack.
Questions About Wealth
- What are people supposed to do with their money in Luke's gospel? Why? What do they get in return?
- Is Luke basically just saying, "you can't take it with you"?
- What hope do the wealthy have in Luke's gospel?
- How is wealth used as a tool of characterization in this story?