Faithful Pathways: Redistribution

Doesn't Jesus know that the question of "redistribution" of wealth is not to be discussed by polite people?

Apparently not.

Mark continues the teachings of Jesus. The Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary of the New Testament explains the "rich" and how they were understood in their time and place.

The average peasant issued that the rich had defrauded others by taking ore than their fair share of a limited pie...They live in incredible luxury and fare sumptuously while ignoring the abject poverty of those at their doorstep. They built up surpluses only for themselves, disregarding the disastrous consequences for the rest of society."

Jesus is asking the "rich man" to return to the poor their share of the wealth. The rich man, who keeps all the other commands, is unable to do this one.

Immediately, we can easily assume that being rich today is different. We earn our wealth. They can earn theirs. Underlying our assumptions is an inherent lack of worth in the poor. If they were worth their salt, they would be rich like us.

Almsgiving is associated with true conversion in the first century. It probably should be now as well, but we tend to associate "true conversation" with some kind of feeling and leave giving to others out of the equation.

It is also worth noting that wealth is not sinful in and of itself. The rabbis actually forbade people from giving more than 20% so they wouldn't find themselves in poverty.

How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom, remember, is when all creation can live to their fullest potential. It is shalom, the health and well-being of all people.

When we resist giving, working to see that all people have the chance to succeed...and I mean really working the multi-layered issues that surround poverty...when we assume the worst about the poorest, we are the camels trying to go through the eyes of needles everywhere.

I love the end. Peter starts by insisting that they must be "good" or "in" because they, in fact, have given up everything to follow Jesus.

Sure, Jesus says...and you will live an abundant live here and beyond. But he reminds them again that the first will be last and the last first. Even in the giving back of wealth, it's not a competition.

We should definitely eat salty chips with this one...