Growing up, I was told that Jesus of Nazareth was just a poor carpenter who went around preaching a message of peace. He was eventually killed because some thought he was trying to start a revolution. Recently, I've heard dissent against the hippy Jesus version. One of my classmates argued that people wouldn't follow a poor guy and so he must have had plenty of monetary resources.What do you think, was Jesus rich or poor?
Do you think it matters either way?
4 comments:
Being subject to his parents, I think Jesus could have only been as rich as they were. The Bible does not dipict them as rich, but common like most people. I believe he was able to influence so many because he appeared more on their level.
If we are to strictly follow the Bible texts, we will know that Jesus was a carpenter by trade and this occupation was not one rewarding in wealth and riches. But in a lot of ways Jesus was rich in his own right; he was rich in Personality. That I believe is what drew people to him. There have been many great leaders in this world and most of them did not gain their appeal and fame from riches. Strength of character and moral fiber are some of the values that won them their footnotes in History. Riches, unfortunately can not buy any of these values.
I do not believe that Jesus had money backing him. This is for more then one reason, The bible states that in "most cases" it is hard for a rich person to be saved. Secondly people followed him for his actions not his money.
It was very common for the rich or families of nobility to gain power and followers. That arguement is only partly true, however it is inaccurate to say you need to be rich to be popular as a leader. Though money can buy power much more conveniently than strong "personality" could.
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