Luke 17:1-19:27 Daniel Erlinger Economics And Justice Luke 17:1-19:27 Daniel Erlinger

Amos 8:4-7 Against Greed Hear this, you who trample upon the needy and destroy the poor of the land. “When will the moon be over,” you ask, “that we may sell our grain, and the Sabbath, that we may display the wheat? We will diminish the ephah, add to the shekel, and fix our scales for cheating! We will buy the lowly man for silver, and the poor man for a pair of sandals; even the refuse of the wheat we will sell!” The Lord was sworn by the pride of Jacob: Never will I forget a thing they have done!

Warning against greed in the Old Testament Greedy for being impatient with the laws of God, and not wanting to wait to sell the grain. Warns against cheating. “diminish the ephah, add to the shekel, and fix our scales” Shows the low value of the poor. The refuse of the wheat was meant to be instructed to be left for the poor.

The 10 Commandments Paralleled in both Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5 You shall not commit adultery You shall not kill You shall not steal You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor Honor your father and your mother, that you may have a long life in the land which the Lord, your God, is giving you Paralleled in both Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5 Not mentioned is the 10th commandment (on Greed)

The Rich Young Man p219 Jesus questions man’s motive for calling him good References the 7th, 6th, 8th, 9th, and 5th commandments (Exodus 20). These commandments deal with the treatment of others. No reference to the 10th Commandment on Greed (all) Amos 2:6b->against mistreament for Greed Amos 6:4-8 against gluttony as greed

The Rich Young Man (Luke 18:18-23 ) Jesus asks his followers to go farther by not just giving negative commandments, but a positive one. Amos-> must have positive action to not be greedy under God By giving up everything, one is putting full faith into God (references Abraham).

The Rich Young Man Mark Source of text Luke Referred to as an official Matthew Source of title Adds “love your neighbor as yourself” Man wonders what he lacks

Meaning of the Rich Young Man The Rich must use their power and wealth to help others who are not so lucky Must give up all to rely on God, not on “mammon” (money) Jesus is not saying that having money is wrong Everyone who seeks salvation must give up what stands in their way

On the riches and rewards of Discipleship p. 218 Mark and Matthew Refers to followers as children (Mark) The Last will be First (both) Ruling of Kingdom (Matt.) Luke’s Meaning Shows how impossible it is to give up money and do God’s will (v. 25) One must put full faith in God to enter heaven Shows the Apostles doing so (v. 28)

Eye of the Needle Two Possible Interpretations Eye of the Needle is a gate in Jerusalem Camel would have to get on knees to enter - rich man would have to humble, and get off camel and walk bags in Translation Error Camel is a mistranslation of the Greek word for Rope Very difficult to thread a rope through a needle

Economics and God To not show greed means to do action against it One must actually give up money and help the poor By not doing so (rich young man), he shows he thought he could exist without God Money would take care of him Must humble before God to enter the kingdom Rich Young Man must seek salvation on his own terms