Scripture: Minimalism and Heavenly Treasure

 

These are a few of the verses which made me believe I ought to sell all for the Kingdom. I am not sure I advocate for real Christians to do this, but if one is truly making an impact on the poor by doing so, then by all means. Just don’t neglect your family in the process!

 

Matthew 6:19-21

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

This indicates that we should not take pleasure in worldly objects since that will put our heart on such things. Instead, we should take pleasure in loving and helping others and that will focus our hearts on that instead.

 

Matthew 6:24

No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Hating money would have a lot of stipulations attached with it. One cannot hardly live their life for the sake of earning more and more money if indeed he or she hates it.

 

Matthew 12:43-44

Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

It is worth noting that Jesus did not rebuke her foolishness for giving all she had to live on. Instead, he commended her. It does seem rather counter-productive, however, to make oneself poor for the sake of giving to the poor since she now needs money given back to her in order to survive. Still, Jesus commended it—perhaps because it demonstrated her faith, and with faith all things are possible. It’s a fairly good argument for the power of God. I cannot think why else this would be a good idea.

 

 

 

Matthew 13:44-45

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

The idea of selling everything to buy the kingdom was not exactly metaphorical although perhaps exaggerated. Many people sold their houses and possessions in order to give to the poor as a response to the message of the kingdom. It seemed likely to be a rather important step given that Jesus also claimed it was harder for a rich person to enter the kingdom than for a camel to go through the eye of a needle. The message is clear: sell worldly stuff, give to the poor, and receive heavenly riches.

 

Mark 10:21-25 and Luke 18:22-25

“One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

Jesus very clearly indicated that selling one’s possessions was quite necessary for obtaining treasure in heaven and further related this to entering the kingdom of God.