Jesus was no stranger to social and economic injustice. And He taught on it from quite a few different angles in the sermon on the mount (Matthew 5, 6, & 7); and the sermon on the plain (Luke 6). Anyone who’s familiar with those scriptures, knows that what Jesus taught is quite the opposite of how the world thinks. Undeniably, some mighty tough teaching to accept 100% as something to live daily. And therefore, some of the most breezed-over and disregarded by most Bible teachers today.
But one recorded encounter comes to mind that’s particularly applicable. Jesus took a man’s plea for social/economic justice, and totally flipped it into a warning about covetousness.
It’s in Luke 12:13-15: “And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you? And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.”
At first it looks like Jesus is going to stay neutral, and tell the guy He’s not going to get involved. But then He nails the real issue: Covetousness. And He is no longer speaking only to ‘him’, but to ‘them’.
Was Jesus denying that an injustice was being committed? Was He saying that social/economic injustice doesn’t matter? Did Jesus speak this warning about covetousness, to put this man down, or to frustrate him, or to deny him a prosperous life? OR… was His answer intended to set the man free?
To continue the lesson, Jesus then continues on topic, down at least through verse 34, where He sums it up by saying, “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
These were words of LIFE! When words of life are received, there is REVIVAL! May my words, and our words, when we encounter similar situations, likewise be words of life and revival!
PS: It’s not entirely clear in this passage, but I do hope that guy received Jesus’ life-giving words. Even if he didn’t, those words were meant for somebody in that audience, AND for us who would one day read those written words.
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