Jesus' teachings exhibit a profound nuance that challenges simplistic binary thinking. While modern interpretations may perceive his messages as either-or statements, traditional Jewish thought recognized the complexity in his teachings. For instance, the apparent contradiction between serving God and accumulating wealth invites deeper contemplation. Jesus illustrates this through parables where the strategic use of money can foster relationships, suggesting a context-dependent approach rather than a strict dichotomy. Similarly, the call to hate one's family for discipleship contrasts with biblical commandments to honor them, indicating that allegiance to Jesus may sometimes necessitate complex choices in familial obligations. Overall, Jesus’ teachings demand careful meditation and wisdom to navigate situations where values may appear to conflict, revealing a rich tapestry of moral reasoning rather than straightforward directives.
Sermon on the Mount E28 – In his third teaching on money, Jesus issues a warning about elevating wealth to the position of God in our lives. To describe wealth, Jesus uses the word “mammon,” which can be translated as “the thing in which you trust.” What happens when we put our trust in our wealth? What does Jesus mean by “unrighteous wealth?” And what can it look like to be free from the love of money? In this uncut episode, join Tim and Jon in a long-form dialogue exploring the Parable of the Shrewd Manager and how we can only have one ultimate allegiance—God or money.
Timestamps
- Chapter 1: Hate One and Love the Other (00:00-13:44)
- Chapter 2: What is Mammon? (13:44-20:34)
- Chapter 3: Wealth and the Dishonest Manager (20:34-42:50)
Referenced Resources
Show Music
- “Buschwick” by cocabona
- “Red Gamba” by Lalinea
- Original Sermon on the Mount music by Richie Kohen
- BibleProject theme song by TENTS
Show Credits
Jon Collins is the creative producer for today's show. Tim Mackie is our lead scholar. Production of today's episode is by producer Lindsey Ponder, producer; Cooper Peltz; and Colin Wilson, producer. Stephanie Tam is our consultant and editor. Tyler Bailey is our supervising engineer. Frank Garza and Aaron Olsen edited today's episode. Aaron Olson also provided the sound design and mix for today's episode. Nina Simone does our show notes and Hannah Woo provides the annotations for our app. Today’s hosts are Jon Collins and Michelle Jones.
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