Why, then, did Luke write this gospel narrative with such a negative slant against rich people?
Read: Luke 18:9-30; 19:1-10
The Gospel of Luke was dedicated to a man named “most excellent Theophilus.” We don’t know much about him, but we can assume with a reasonable degree of certainty that he was the one who financed the expensive process for Luke “to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us” (Luke 1:1-4). So, it is safe to say that Theophilus was a wealthy man. Why, then, did Luke write this gospel narrative with such a negative slant against rich people?
Luke keyed in on some of the more harsh words Jesus had to say about the wealthy, “But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation” (Luke 6:24). Elsewhere, “As for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature” (Luke 8:14). The parable of the rich fool ends, “So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God” (Luke 12:13-21).
But nothing was more harsh than when Luke associated the term “Rich Men” in reference to the Pharisees, the enemies of Jesus. This first appears in a story of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31).
A Rich Ruler
All of this leads to a crescendo when Jesus is confronted by a wealthy, would-be disciple. A Rich Ruler asked Jesus what it would take to inherit eternal life. Jesus responds by repeating a few of the Ten Commandments. The Rich Ruler responds, “All of these I have kept from my youth.” Jesus tells him there is just one more thing he must do, “Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me” (Luke 18:18-23).
The admission fee for this Rich Ruler to be a follower of Jesus seems unreasonably high. That’s certainly not how I became of Christian. Did you have to sell all your things to be saved?
I came to faith as a child long before I ever had to worry about money. I’m sure my parents stressed about it, but as far as I was concerned, there was always food on the table, clothes to wear, and a roof over my head. Ironically enough, the previous story mentions something about children.
Among the crowds that were flocking to see Jesus were parents who wanted Him to bless their babies. The disciples rebuked them, but Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.” In fact, He added, “Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it” (Luke 18:15-17).
Children are completely dependent upon their parents. That is the kind of faith that Jesus requires and it was the faith that this wealthy man was unable to give to Him. Luke calls this man a Rich Ruler. It implies what was preventing him from following Christ. He was rich, yes, but he was a ruler who was unable to lay aside his treasures on earth for something greater.
After seeing this extremely wealthy man walk away, the disciples were astonished. He could have funded a considerable amount of their ministry expenses. Maybe they should go and track him down; give him another chance.
Jesus then makes a peculiar statement that it is incredibly difficult for a wealthy person to enter the kingdom of God. The disciples' responded with, “Then who can be saved?” Peter then makes a very important statement, “See, we have left our homes and followed you.” This is what the Lord requires, utter dependence upon Him. There is no other way to inherit the kingdom of God and with it, eternal life (Luke 18:24-30).
Not All Who Are Rich Are Lost
To some it would seem that Luke has an ax to grind against rich people. Yet, not all rich men are lost. There is another storyline interwoven throughout the Gospel of Luke that is worth noting.
During the ministry of John the Baptist, Luke mentions that even tax collectors were being baptized. Concerning bearing fruit of repentance, they asked John, “What shall we do?” He told them, “Collect no more than you are authorized to do” (Luke 3:12).
Then, Jesus called a tax collector named Levi to be one of His twelve disciples. This infuriated the Pharisees, especially when Jesus was found having dinner at Levi’s house with his tax collector friends. But Jesus responded to this pettiness by saying, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:27-32).
But it is here after the story of the Rich Ruler that we really get to see where all of these stories about tax collectors were leading.
We all know the story of Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector who happened to be very short. He climbed into a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus over the crowds of people. The details add a bit of whimsical comedy to the narrative.
But what makes this story so unique is that Jesus had just said it was impossible for a rich man to be saved, “It would be easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle” (Luke 18:25). Yet, here is a rich man who gave his life to Christ.
What is the difference? It was Zacchaeus’s response. “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold” (Luke 19:8). First, he acknowledged Jesus as Lord. Then, without being prompted, he gave his riches away.
Two Men Before God
Do you see how the two stories are intertwined? I have to admit that I withheld some information in order to intensify the comparison a bit. But the introduction to these two stories goes back to where Jesus describes a Pharisee and a tax collector gathering in the temple to pray.
The Pharisee prayed, “God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.” While the tax collector, unable to lift his eye to heaven, beat his breast saying, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” To this, Jesus said, “This man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 18:9-14).
The difference is obvious. The Pharisee and the Rich Ruler were proud in their own righteousness and saw no need for repentance, but the tax collector knew that he needed the mercy of God, In fact, this was the mission of Jesus, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10).
While the Rich Ruler found security in his wealth, Zacchaeus knew that he was lost. When Jesus visited him, it changed his life. The contrast of the two stories provides a very important lesson. What are you trusting in? Are you trusting in the treasures of earth, or are you rich toward God? Humble yourself, and Christ will lift you up.
Adam Miller is the President and host of Songtime Radio and serves as the pastor of South Chatham Community Church.
You can hear his teaching on our daily broadcast on the radio or online, watch his preaching live on Facebook, and read his articles on our website.
