The Power of Scripture and the Problem of Narrow Narratives
One of the challenges facing modern Christianity is how the narratives of the Bible are often presented without depth or context. Many believers are handed a narrow understanding of Christ, the Holy Spirit, and God the Father. Yet when we read Scripture closely, it becomes clear that Christ Himself continually exalted the Father above all.
Matthew 24:36 (KJV)
“But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.”Mark 13:32 (KJV)
“But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.”
These verses reveal Christ’s humility and His acknowledgment of the Father’s supreme authority.
Faith in the Age of Censorship
As Christians, we are living in an era where anyone can read the Word of God for themselves. That truth is powerful—so powerful that atheist nations such as the People’s Republic of China have produced state-sanctioned Bibles out of fear. Why? Because tyrants tremble at words that set people free. The Bible’s message cannot be contained; it shakes the foundations of those who rely on control, censorship, and fear.
God’s Plan: From Poverty to Purpose
There is no New Testament without the Old. In Jewish culture, poverty is often seen not as holiness but as vulnerability—because when people lack, they become open to manipulation by the wicked.
Throughout Scripture, God seeks to lift His people out of poverty. Yet both Testaments also warn against greed. Wealth, in biblical terms, means far more than money; it includes education, wisdom, and understanding.
Once we view the Bible as a book of spiritual and intellectual wealth, we also meet a new enemy—the spirit of greed.
Wisdom, Wealth, and the Words of Christ
The Greeks and Persians knew power, but the Romans learned something deeper: that laws could enrich entire nations. Yet even they could not match the Jewish understanding of divine law and wealth. When Jesus debated His Jewish brothers, the conversations were rich with spiritual and moral meaning.
Because Jews were restricted from publicly criticizing Rome, Christ spoke in parables—messages layered with truth for those ready to hear. His words were revolutionary, piercing through censorship and fear.
The Language of the Common People
Jesus spoke primarily in Aramaic, the language of everyday people. It was viewed as the tongue of the poor, especially in rural Galilee. Yet Christ transformed that “poor man’s language” into one of eternal richness. His words in Aramaic carried the tone of Heaven itself.
Where other cultures prized harshness or viewed “niceness” as weakness, Christ spoke gently, using humility as strength. That was revolutionary—and over time, it helped transform the Roman Empire itself into a Christian world.
Wealth, Work, and the Meaning of Greed
How do we define greed without condemning wealth?
That’s where many modern Christian leaders fall short. Some preach prosperity but forget purpose. Others condemn success entirely.
Jesus was a carpenter. Paul was a tentmaker. They worked with their hands. In contrast, King Solomon—though wise—had no occupation outside his throne. Many of Israel’s corrupt kings shared that same flaw: they ruled but never worked. Today, we call such people career politicians—leaders without real-world perspective.
When parents teach humility but withhold wisdom, the next generation inherits ignorance. The rise of the welfare state replaced work with dependence. This, too, is greed: taking something for nothing and mistaking charity for idleness.
Greed vs. the Kingdom of God
Greed is not about possessing money—it’s about placing possessions before God.
When wealth becomes an idol, people exchange righteousness for convenience. The ancient Romans fell into this trap: fearing the people, they expanded welfare to maintain power, and their empire collapsed from within.
Fear cannot sustain families, businesses, or nations. It is not of God. When leaders use fear to control, their rule will crumble. The Bible endures precisely because it is a book of life and innovation. Those who try to contain God always fail.
The Rich Young Ruler: A Lesson in Contentment
Matthew 19:16–22 (KJV)
16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
The rich man came to Jesus seeking fulfillment. Despite his wealth, he was empty. Jesus offered him freedom through surrender—but he walked away. The lesson isn’t that all wealth is evil; it’s that wealth without purpose leaves the soul unsatisfied.
Even under Roman rule, many Jews were prosperous. Yet some were spiritually bankrupt. Jesus’s message wasn’t anti-rich—it was anti-idolatry.
Freedom, Property, and the Christian Civilization
Atheists and secularists often try to contain God in arguments that elevate ideology above truth. They crave control over speech and thought. But the earth belongs to the Lord—and to all whom He created.
Property rights under Christianity reflect God’s kingdom: stewardship, not ownership. When people forget that all belongs to God, they become squatters on His creation. Civilizations rooted in Christ thrive precisely because they recognize divine order, law, and liberty.
Seek First the Kingdom
True wealth is not greed. It is knowing God, using resources wisely, and teaching others to do the same.
When Christians grow rich in spirit, knowledge, and skill, they reflect God’s abundance rather than man’s pride.
Psalm 34 reminds us:
“Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.”
To know the Kingdom of God is to know contentment. To be wealthy in Christ is to give back, not hoard. Greed enslaves; faith liberates.
Christ, the Perfect Example
Jesus had the power to heal the sick, to speak with authority, and to command nature itself—yet He never used that power for personal gain. His mission was obedience, not indulgence. When offered the world by Satan, He refused.
Christ completed His purpose, conquered death, and returned to the Father. His message remains clear: follow Me, trust God, and fear nothing but sin.
Final Reflection
We live in a time when both believers and unbelievers try to control the Christian narrative—through censorship, manipulation, and fear. But the Gospel belongs to no tyrant. It belongs to every person who seeks the truth.
As Christians, let us not be “holier than thou.” Let us lead with humility, work with integrity, and trust God’s sovereignty over all creation.
Christ is King.
Consider making Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior today.