Top 10 Oppressions Our Society Performs

Top 10 Oppressions as expressed by the First Century Prophets

10. Not paying temporary laborers at the end of the day⁶⁷

9. Treating the wealthy as more important than the poor among God’s people⁶⁸

8. Investing wealth, saving for the future instead of giving it to the poor⁶⁹

7. Ignoring the poor in need you see⁷⁰

6. Keeping our excess when others are in need⁷¹

5. Denying shelter to the homeless

4. Denying food to the hungry

3. Denying healing to the sick

2. Denying companionship to the isolated⁷²

1. Treating the poor as outcasts, unworthy of equality⁷³

Most of these oppressions are sins of greed.  In our society today, "greed is good" and selfishness provides benefit.  However, in the community of Jesus, greed is the worst of all evils, miserliness sends you to hell faster than almost any other sin.  Clearly, the majority of the church today has a different perspective than the first century church.

Many people talk about the harshness of the law and how different the New Testament is.  But in the area of giving to the poor, meeting the needs of the needy, there is a perfect continuity.  It is the responsibility of the wealthy to share with the needy.  Whether it be for the reason of the deliverance from oppression one has experienced, or because of love for another in need, the result is the same.

Notes

67. James 5:1-5

68. James 2:1-9

69. Luke 12:16-33

70. Luke 16:19-25 ; I John 3:16-17

71. I Corinthians 8:13-15; Luke 3:11

72. Matthew 25:31-46.  I didn’t include the prison statement, because visiting people in prison meant something different in the first century than today.  In the first century, family and friends had to supply food and water for the imprisoned, and so visiting wasn’t just a social connection, but a matter of survival. This is not to say that prison ministry isn’t important—it is essential.  But it would also mean visiting those in nursing homes and those who cannot leave their homes for a variety of reasons.

73. Romans 12:16

Did Jesus Beat Up the Rich?

It must be admitted, as we saw in the last post, Jesus was a little tough on the rich.  And it did seem to be a little sweeping.  Why did Jesus and James seem to be so hard on this particular social class?  I mean, did they do something so wrong?  And to thoroughly condemn them seems to be a bit excessive. 

            There is a definitive reason for this that can be described in four points:

1. God commands the wealthy to use their wealth for the poor

This is a consistent ethic throughout the Scripture, as we have seen above.  There are three main sections of Hebrew Scripture: The Law, The Prophets and the Writings.  The Law commands loans and alms to be given to the poor.63  The Prophets command the poor to be assisted or God would not bless them.64  The Writings speak of the dangers that happen to the wealthy if they do not give to the poor. 65  This is not a minor theme, nor is it easily ignored.  This does not mean that the majority of Bible teachers do not have on their blinders, looking only at their theological focus, but it is clearly at the heart of loving one’s neighbor in the OT.

2. Jesus is prophetically commanding an ethic of love

Jesus is not so much establishing a new law, as he is interpreting the Mosaic Law through the rose-colored lens of acting for the benefit of everyone.⁶⁶  And Jesus’ ethic is not based in the realm of emotions, but in bold action.  Part of this action, an aspect that Jesus repeats a few times, is the need of the wealthy to give of what they have to the poor.  Jesus isn’t erasing the old Law and simply writing his own over the stone tablets—he is simply re-commanding what is already a part of God’s ethic.  This is so much so that Abraham, in one of Jesus’ parables, stated that the wealthy giving to the poor was so clearly commanded in “Moses and the Prophets:” that it should be obvious to everyone.⁶⁷

3. The wealthy only occasionally give to the poor

The command of God was not being obeyed by the wealthy.  Surely, some wealthy gave the occasional alms, and a few would assist their poor relatives.  But the heart of the command was being ignored.  Beggars lined the street, and many poor languished and suffered for their poverty.  All the while, the wealthy not only ignored them, but they condemned them.  “They must be judged by God.”  “Repent and get right with God and you will have what you need!”  Instead of the poor being assisted by the wealthy, they were ostracized by them.

4. The wealthy are judged by God

Jesus makes it clear that there are wealthy who are righteous, a part of God’s people.  But these are the wealthy who surrender their wealth, not keeping it for themselves.⁶⁸  The wealthy are to remember that their wealth is not their own, but loaned to them by their Banker, God.  When God gave them the loan, He said, “You are to give any excess you have to the poor and needy—do not keep it for yourself.”  But the wealthy ignored their Banker and used the money for themselves.  The Banker kept an eye on the accounts, until finally an accounting day came—and the Banker took back everything he had given, and more.  The wealthy are not God’s favorites.  They have been blessed by God, but that blessing comes with a condition—use the blessing for the benefit of those who most need it. ⁶⁹

Jesus was not interested in "beating up" the wealthy.  Rather, he was calling them to repent of keeping their wealth for their own power, but instead to give it to those who need it the most.  He is not saying this because he dislikes wealthy people, but because he loves them and he wants to see them have all the blessings of God.  When Jesus said that he came to "seek and save the lost" it was in the context of him convincing a wealthy man to surrender his wealth to the poor. 70

Wealth (just like fame and power) is not actually a blessing for Christians, but in reality a test.  It is a test to see if one would use the wealth as God sees fit, or would use it as the world sees fit—to increase one’s power, comfort or wealth, or to surrender it to those who need it most.  C.S. Lewis passed the test (he gave the majority of his wealth to charity, choosing to live on a limited income).  Rick Warrens passed the test (he gives more than 90% of his wealth to charity, going to the poorest in the world).  Mother Theresa famously passed the test, surrendering her life for the poor.

            I mention these exceptions, although they are rare.  The far majority of Christians who face this hardest of all tests fail miserably.  They make excuses why they should use their wealth for themselves.  They make excuses not to give to the poor.  In this way, the wealthy have become disfavored and rejected by God.  And so Jesus and James and others in the New Testament have harsh words to say to them.  Because their wealth they spend on themselves is not a sign of God’s blessing, but rather of their disobedience and arrogance.  Of their failure.

Notes

63. e.g. Deuteronomy 15:4-11

64. e.g. Jeremiah 5:28-29

65. e.g. Psalm 41:1-3; Proverbs 21:13

66. This is the point of the “You have heard it said” section of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5.  Each law or interpretation of the law is re-interpreted by the command “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  Then Jesus wraps up by saying that only the leaders who obey the love command are to be listened to, the rest are false prophets (Matthew 7:12-23).

67. Luke 16:19-31, esp. v. 29

68. Mark 10:21-25; Luke 19:1-10.  It is interesting that Job and Abraham are often given as examples of people who were wealthy but named righteous before God.  It is clear in Scripture that part of the reason they were righteous is because they generously gave to the poor and immigrants. Genesis 18:2-8; Job 29:11-16.

69. Luke 16 is the primary focus for this understanding.  In the parable of the unrighteous steward, Jesus interprets as a person using money that was not his own to make friends of the poor so he would be helped when he was poorer than they.  Jesus also in that chapter, uses the example of the rich man who didn’t help Lazarus, a destitute beggar at the rich man’s gates, and so was brutally punished in the afterlife.

70. Luke 19:1-10

A Dangerous Book

A rich man's wealth is his strong city, And like a high wall in his own imagination.

The sleep of the working man is pleasant, whether he eats little or much; but the full stomach of the rich man does not allow him to sleep.

The rich man is wise in his own eyes, But the poor who has understanding sees through him.

Proverbs of Ancient Hebrew writings, also known as Proverbs 18:11; Ecclesiastes 5:12; and Proverbs 28:11

Good morning, my brothers.  I am honored that you have chosen me to speak to you, the All-Wealthy Fathers Under Liberty,  for I have been concerned about our plight for some time.  We have been subjected to oppression long enough! (Cheers in the crowd.)  I was shocked last week to hear Brother Steven’s speech on hate crime in motion pictures.  Up until this point, I have enjoyed the James Bond movies—but no more.  Now I understand that they are simply anti-rich propaganda, intended to throw suspicion upon the good brothers who have worked hard to obtain their wealth.  How dare they make Dr. No or the other villains wealthy?  All of them?  Clearly, just as our brother has pointed out, it is simple prejudice and jealousy! (More cheers.)  I thank Brother Arnold for his insider’s view and especially for his work in banning these films, as well as any others which portray the wealthy according to stereotypes, instead of the truly honorable men we are.  Let the media put the specter of suspicion where it belongs—on the government and the poor!  (More cheers.)  Let us bring back more wholesome programming, such as Schindler’s List and The Millionaire! (More cheers.)

            As serious as the prejudice found in movies is, there is yet another, more insidious cultural influence that we must be concerned about.  Movies and magazines, television and newspapers, and, of course, the internet—all have their various forms of prejudice and oppression against the rich and all need to be influenced, such as our Brother Rupert, Brother Ted and Brother Bill have done.  But there is another, greater influence that has been all but overlooked.  There is a medium that has been influential, not just for decades, a century or a century and a half, but for millennia!  It has been used by the enemies of the rich, oppressing us and destroying us since time immemorial!  It is the cause of many of the wars against the rich—The Lombard uprising of the 1400s in England, the Thirty Years War in Germany in the 1500s, and it is still used as a primary inspiration of the Marxists in Latin America today!  And while you may think that these events are too out of touch with our current structure, I need to inform you that this medium—this dangerous piece of literature—is in the majority of homes in the United States.  Right now.  And many of you have read this book, yea, even quoted this book.  By now, you have probably guessed what I am speaking about, but you dare not say its name, nor even think it.  Yes, that’s right, I am speaking of the Bible—the New Testament in particular. 

            Perhaps some of you are ready to stand up and speak against me now, because I am speaking ill of a book that you hold so dear.  Perhaps some are ready to walk out on me, because much of your wealth—the very reason you are here—has come in part because of your talent in speaking on this particular book.  I do not begrudge your use of it, Brothers—especially our dear Brother Robert and Brother Benny.  I appreciate your skill and tact in opening this book and carefully directing the thoughts of those who read it.  You religious leaders have been essential to our cause, and our most important supporters!  You have succeeded to make wealth popular and important among your people with greater success than any of us have!  We thank you for your work! (Scattered clapping throughout the hall.)  But we must also recognize how dangerous this book is.

            The Bible is a complex and multi-faceted piece of literature.  It is sixty-six different books, written by a variety of authors over at least a thousand years.  Their perspectives vary, as do the issues they discuss.  With this, there is much for anyone to expound upon with safety.  There are examples of wealthy people who are heroes in this collection of scrolls—Abraham, Jacob, Boaz, Job, Solomon and Esther.  However, even these are marginal victories.  Abraham and Job are seen as righteous, not because of their wealth, but because of their generosity, faith and sacrifice.  Boaz is righteous for assisting a poor, illegal immigrant.  Solomon is famous for his wisdom, but ultimately rejected for his disobedience of God’s law and idolatry. Esther is of an oppressed racial minority, which is the real focus of her story.  And Jacob is displayed as obtaining his wealth through deceit and the power of God, and suffering greatly in his later life because of his trickery early in his life. 

            In the Old Testament, where all of these stories take place, there are dangerous themes that crop up now and again.   We have a sympathetic woman, gaining a child after praying for so many years, saying, “The weapons of the powerful are cast down and the weak take up strength.”⁴⁷   One of the many psalmists say, “Better is the little of the righteous than the wealth of the wicked.”⁴⁸  In the book of Proverbs it says, “Give me neither poverty nor wealth, lest I become arrogant and say, ‘Who is God?’”⁴⁹  Another psalmist says, “These are the wicked who have increased in wealth.” ⁵⁰

            In the prophets of the Old Testament, the danger to us increases.  Ezekiel says that the sins of Sodom is that the city was wealthy and arrogant, refusing to help the poor and needy.⁵¹  Jeremiah says that the wealthy in his day became so because of deceit.⁵²  Micah claims that the rich of his day were “full of violence”.⁵³  Of course, this is blatant prejudice, painting all the wealthy with the same stroke. 

Nevertheless, the Old Testament is not problematic overall.  None of these passages must be thought of as speaking of the rich in general.  While there seems to be a theme—especially that of obtaining wealth through violence and deceit—it is not consistent, and we can avoid such pitfalls by our Bible-brokers speaking of these cases as being rare, while most wealthy are good and right before God.

            The real problem comes in the New Testament.  This is a revolutionary text, and I do not mean that positively.  It is speaking from the perspective of the disorderly elements of society, those that disrupt the proper flow of economics and authority.  As many of us well know, it is within this tome of subversive writers that we have a few passages that support the lower classes being in submission to the upper classes—and this is as it should be.  However, it is always spoken of in the context of the upper classes oppressing and harming the lower classes.  The New Testament has nothing good to say about us, brothers. 

            Let us take, for example, a brief letter to various churches, written by the brother or cousin of Jesus, James, or perhaps by his students.  James was an important figure in the early church and his word was considered law by many groups of this fledgling— but revolutionary— religious movement.  He had much to say about us, my brothers—and none of it was good.  Listen to this: “The poor brother should be glad for his high position, and the wealthy should be glad for his lowly position, for even as a flower in bloom will soon fade and become ugly, so will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuit of wealth.”⁵⁴  Again, listen to this: “God chose the poor of this world to be rich in faith… but it is the wealthy that drag you into court and oppress you.”⁵⁵  (A few gasps in the midst of a shocked silence.)  But this is not all.  This so-called “just” James dares to make yet another, more horrible, even more prejudicial remark.  This is difficult for me to read, and it is extremely shocking, so please be prepared for it:  “Weep and howl, you rich, for your miseries are coming upon you.  Your riches have rotted and your garments are destroyed.  Your gold and silver have rusted, and its rust is a witness against you in God’s judgment.  The laborers you have hired are crying out against you for you have withheld their wages and it will be heard by the Lord of the harvest.  You have lived… luxuriously on earth…”  I’m sorry, I’m trying… “and you have… fattened yourself for the day of slaughter.”⁵⁶  (Stunned silence fills the hall.)

            I hope you are outraged as much as I am.  This is blatant hate speech.  It is more forthrightly prejudiced against us than almost anything I have ever heard or read, except perhaps that despicable song by Aerosmith.   And if it was only in the letter of James—which our Brother Martin Luther called a “right straw epistle”—then perhaps it could be bearable.  The book is small, it could be avoided.

 But who can avoid Jesus?  Yet Jesus says, “Woe to you who are rich for you have already received your comfort!  Woe to you who are well fed, for you shall go hungry!  Woe to you who are entertained now, for you shall weep!”⁵⁷  It is Jesus who says, “No one can serve two masters, either he will love the one and hate the other.  No one can serve both God and wealth.”⁵⁸  It is Jesus who says, “Sell all your possessions and give to the poor, and then you will have treasure in heaven.”⁵⁹  It is Jesus who says, “None of you can be my disciple unless you renounce all of your possessions.”⁶⁰  It is Jesus who says, “You say ‘I am wealthy, I have need of nothing,’ but you do not see that you are poor and blind and wretched and miserable and naked.” ⁶¹

Clear lies, all of them!  Our God could not despise us, who has blessed us so?

Do you not see?  The real enemy of our cause in this so-called Holy Writ is not James, but Jesus himself.  It is Jesus that enacted the change that turned the Bible from a humble critic of the excess of the unrighteous rich to an attack on all of us!  These terrible, poor-loving, deceptive words, in blatant opposition to the equality of rich men everywhere were spoken by the founder of the Jesus movement himself!   I know that many of you scholars might be saying, “Well, Jesus may not have said that,” or, “there are certainly other interpretations.”  Of course there are.  Of course there are doubts.  But the clear reading of the text is impossible to deny when brought all together. 

Allow me to repeat a couple main points.  This book is dangerous.  It works directly against our cause, and influences the simple minded to be prejudiced against the wealthy.  Secondly, this book is in the majority of American homes!  There are people who read from this book daily!  Worst of all, there are many who actually believe this book to be God’s own Word and so might very well believe what it says. 

Now, we know, Brothers, that God supports us and our cause—let there be no question about that.  God has granted us our wealth and so wants us to rule the world and influence the people with it.  And so God has given us a commission—we must subvert the clear meaning of this book.  It is a book filled with despicable lies that will tear down the fabric of our very society.  And so we must continue the work accomplished so boldly by our forefather Thomas Jefferson.⁶²  We must discourage the reading of this book as much as possible.  If the masses are to read anything, let them read the relatively safe Old Testament. 

Even better, we must follow in the ways of our Muslim brothers and claim through our media that both New and Old Testaments have been superseded by greater, better, teaching.  The best, most popular teaching are the new ethics based upon scientific principles.  This allows us to support an ethics that are based on positive, capitalistic principles.  In this way, the hate speech may be muted, and we will regain our former glory and honor that we deserve to have. 

I see my time is up.  Thank you for your apt attention, brothers.  (Wild applause breaks out.)

Accomplishing the Impossible

Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, "One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." But at these words he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property.

 And Jesus, looking around, said to His disciples, "How hard it will be for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!" The disciples were amazed at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, "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 a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

A conversation between an ancient Hebrew prophet and a Hebrew seeker

Scene: A cave at the top of a Himalayan peak.  Fog drifts across part of the snow-covered mountain behind it.  Before the cave is a ledge which drops down to unknown depths.  A SWAMI , who looks remarkably like Jesus, is sitting, cross-legged at the opening of the cave, his eyes closed.  A few of his disciples—PETER and JOHN sit behind him, trying to be cross-legged as well, but having difficulty mastering the position.  As they scuffle and fight with each other, the SWAMI sits in perfect peace, ignoring their difficulties.

            A young YUPPIE appears, climbing up the ledge.  He is dressed in a three-piece stylish business suit, clearly very expensive, black shoes shined and the owner of a three-hundred dollar haircut.  He is carrying a cell phone and a briefcase.  He struggles up the ledge, throwing his briefcase up first, then finally climbing up the ledge.  Exhausted, he crawls over to the SWAMI and collapses.  The SWAMI doesn’t move a muscle, but PETER and JOHN stare at the man, shocked.

YUPPIE:  (Breathing hard)  Oh Great… and Knowledgeable… Good… and Holy Swami!  I have traveled over many days and suffered many travails…

SWAMI:  (Not yet opening his eyes.  Speaking in a bored voice.) Who are you trying to impress?

YUPPIE: But Good Swami, I have traveled thousands of miles….

SWAMI: In your private jet plane, flying into Kathmandu.

YUPPIE:  And I climbed this mountain…

SWAMI: The rented helicopter dropped you off on the ledge over there.

YUPPIE: Look, Good Swami, I came all the way from the United States to talk to you, and the least you could do is listen!

SWAMI:  (Opens one eye) There is no one good but God.  If you want to address me, “hey you” will do.  (Closes his eye)

YUPPIE: (Taken aback)  But Swa…  But I have come this way to ask you a question.

SWAMI: Just one?

YUPPIE: Yes, just one.

SWAMI:  I’ll try to fit it into my schedule.

(Silence for a moment)

YUPPIE: Can I ask?

SWAMI: (Sighs and opens his eyes.) Shoot.  Try your best.

YUPPIE: Great Swami…

SWAMI: Get to the point, okay?

YUPPIE: (Wind taken out of his sails.) Um, okay.  How can I obtain eternal life?

SWAMI: Eternal life?

YUPPIE: Yes.

SWAMI: Life with God?

YUPPIE: Yes.

SWAMI: Resurrection from the dead?

YUPPIE: Yes…

SWAMI: Inheritance in God’s kingdom?

YUPPIE: Yes!

SWAMI:   Peace, security and every good thing?

YUPPIE: Yes, yes, YES!

SWAMI:  Have you gone to others to ask them this question?

YUPPIE: Yes, I have gone to a thousand teachers, a hundred professors, a dozen philosophers and a faith healer.

SWAMI: And what did they tell you?

YUPPIE: They told me to obey the commandments.

SWAMI: The commandments of God, eh?  What commandments did they mention?

YUPPIE: The usual.  Don’t murder, don’t steal, don’t commit adultery, don’t cheat, honor your father and mother.  You know, the normal list everyone gives.

SWAMI: Sounds good.  Go for it.  (Closes his eyes again.)

YUPPIE: (Exasperated) But… but.  (Explodes) IS THAT IT?!  (SWAMI doesn’t respond.)  That can’t be it!  I’ve been doing that all my life!  It’s just too easy.  I know there must be something more.  Swami, isn’t there?  (SWAMI opens his eyes.)  Please, Swami, isn’t there something you haven’t been telling me? I just feel that something is missing.  In obeying the commands, I still seem so distant from God.  Isn't there something else?

SWAMI: (Has new respect for YUPPIE, and looks at him intently.)  If you want to be sure of your salvation, then listen carefully: (YUPPIE leans in to listen) Take your cell phone, and your computers and your plane and your house—sorry, houses— and your stocks and sell it all.  Turn it into hard, cold cash.  Then, give it away to all the beggars in your home town.  Then come back and follow me.  (Closes his eyes.)

YUPPIE: (Eyes downcast) Um, Swami?

SWAMI: (Calmly) Yes?

YUPPIE: How can I follow you?

SWAMI: (An eyebrow goes up.)  What do you mean?

YUPPIE: I mean… well… you aren’t, uh, going anywhere.

SWAMI: Oh, that.  Well, I’ll be travelling down to Kathmandu.

YUPPIE: Ah.

SWAMI: And my disciples will follow me.

YUPPIE: I see.

SWAMI: And I’ll be killed there, you see. (PETER and JOHN jump up, eyes wide.)

YUPPIE: Yes, yes, that’s fine.  Just wondering.  I do have just a couple more questions.

SWAMI: (Opening both eyes, slightly irritated.)  You know, you said that you would just ask me one question and I have been so gracious as to answer three.  And now you are demanding more?  You are becoming annoying.

YUPPIE: I just need a couple things clarified.

SWAMI:  I don’t see how much more clear I can make it.  Here, try this for size:  Sell your possessions and give to the poor, then come and follow me.

YUPPIE: I think I got the gist of that, but I was just wondering… just to clarify…

SWAMI: Yes, what is it?

YUPPIE: Well, perhaps I could just keep the physical things, but not be overly attached to them.  You know, like share them with others—my friends perhaps.  And I won’t worry so much if I lose them.

SWAMI:  (Irritated) Which part of “Sell your possessions” did you not understand?  That should be clear, I think.  If you really want to not be “overly attached” to your possessions, there’s only one solution—get rid of them.  That should do it, I think.

YUPPIE: But I worked hard for these possessions!  I made the right decisions, I struggled to get where I am.  Why should I give my own stuff to anyone?

SWAMI: You worked, yes.  But the wealth you received came from God.  Others work just as hard as you, and harder, but do not have as much as you do.  Your wealth is a gift.  A loan, actually, and God is seeing what you will do with what you have received.  And God’s command is this: “Stop spending your excess wealth on yourself and those who love you.  Give it to the poor, and I will take that wealth and give it back to you a hundredfold in the final day.” 

YUPPIE: But the poor!  They don’t deserve that money!  They’ll just waste it all on drugs and alcohol…

SWAMI: While you waste it on real estate and stock speculations.  No difference, really.  Besides, how many poor do you really know? 

YUPPIE: Well, I see the guys holding signs on the streets…

SWAMI: How many of them have you met?  Even talked to?

YUPPIE: I talked to some of them…

SWAMI: And how many of them did you listen to?  How many of them did you take the time to hear their stories, to find out who they really are?  How many of them did you spend a day with to see their normal activities?  How do you know what they would do with the money if they had it?

YUPPIE:  Well, statistically…

SWAMI: Statistically!  Means and averages are the idols of the modern age—that which we hide behind to avoid doing what is right.  If you want to know who someone is, plug them into a category, and suddenly you know their whole life story, thanks to the modern miracle of Probability!  No one exists until they are a blip on the National Per Capita Production chart!  No one has a need until their needs are polled, assumed, measured and churned out on the meat grinder of reality!  What does any of that have to do with real life?  What does it have to do with real people? The next time you walk your street, look at the man collapsed in the alley north of you.  He does drink, but his dream is to own a truck and tools in order to have a landscaping business.  He already has a couple customers to prove his ability, but he just needs a hand up and he will have a whole new life.  You know that filthy girl who you ran into downtown last year, whom you assumed was drunk or high?  Actually, she has a medication which she cannot afford, which makes her well, if not completely independent.  She has never had more than a beer her whole life, and has never taken illegal drugs.  Everyone just assumes she had because she hangs out silently in AA meetings for the warmth and coffee in the morning.  If you worship statistics so much, here is one—no more than 50 percent of the homeless people in your town are regular users of alcohol or illegal drugs.  And yet you want to reject the whole lot of them, to ignore God’s commands, to throw away your salvation—why?  Because of your assumption.  Because of your judgment.

YUPPIE: (Shamefaced)  I don’t know what to say…

SWAMI: (Outraged.)  Say nothing!  You came all this way to find out the truth.  And in finding the truth, you throw it back in my face.  Accept simply this: “Sell your possessions and give to the poor.  Then come and follow me.”  That’s your answer.  Take it or leave it.

YUPPIE: (Silently, reluctantly, picks up briefcase and carries it and himself over the ledge again.)

(There is a brief silence as PETER and JOHN get over their shock at the statements of their teacher.  This also allows us to pause before the conclusion of our short play. It’s good to take a break from the action for a moment, isn’t it?)

PETER: Master, weren’t you hard on him?

SWAMI: It may seem so, but I was doing him a favor.  He is a good kid.

JOHN: You didn’t make him sound so good.

PETER: Yeah, you told him off.

SWAMI:  (Smiles) I was treating him as a disciple.  Didn’t you recognize my tone?  If he was going to break with the wealth that was choking away his life, he would have to have a wake-up call. 

PETER: You certainly treated him a lot harsher than you did us.

SWAMI: Do you realize how difficult it is for a wealthy person to have eternal life?  It is impossible.

PETER: What do you mean?  Impossible?  But the wealthy have the leisure to study righteousness.  The wealthy have the leisure to pray when they want.  The wealthy can give huge amounts to the needy.

SWAMI:  You do not understand them, do you?  Yes, they have the opportunity, but they don’t take them.  The wealthy allow their wealth to take over their whole lives.  They could pray, but they look to the caring of their riches, instead, for in that they find their salvation.  They could study righteousness, but they study the texts that assist them in increasing their wealth.  They could give to the poor, but they have become so attached to their wealth, that they dare not part from it.  Their wealth becomes their god.  Wealth is their security, the source of their pleasure, the basis of their health and well-being, the means of living in their society.  The only way for them to truly be obedient to God is to get rid of it and give it to God’s program of assisting the poor.

JOHN: But, if it is so difficult for the wealthy, what about us?  What about anyone?

SWAMI: Yes, God’s eternal life is impossible for just about anyone—especially the wealthy.  But God is in the business of accomplishing the impossible.  Come, let us pray for this young man.