Give It All Away?
One of the most misunderstood passages in the Bible is Jesus telling the rich young ruler, “Go, sell what you have and give to the poor” (Matthew 19:21). Religious folks quote that while criticizing megachurches and so-called prosperity preachers . Others may try using the verse to manipulate people into giving them things. Last Sunday while evangelizing in Austin, Texas, a homeless man who professed to be a Christian quoted that Scripture in hopes of getting money from me. I offered him something to eat, but he told me to keep walking. Jesus didn’t command everyone in the Bible to give away everything they own. When Zacchaeus offered to give half his goods to the poor plus restitution to those he defrauded, Jesus said, “Today salvation has come to this house…” (Luke 19:9). He didn’t say, “That’s not enough. Give it all away.” It also says in Proverbs 13:22, “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children…” How can anyone receive an inheritance if their pare...