This continuation of the essay explores the concept of wealth and poverty in relation to Jesus Christ. The author argues that wealth and accumulation of possessions are not good and do not come from God, and that the poor are a Christological criterion in an inclusive sense. The essay critiques Sobrino’s approach to wealth and argues for a more universal understanding of poverty. The author emphasizes the importance of gratitude and being open to God, which is facilitated by the poor.
WOE TO THE RICH
The Rich – a view from the Gospels
Jesus lived this human experience of temptation as well (Luke 4: 1 – 13). Indeed, humanity does not need much to live; and from the perspective of the beatitudes, the accumulation of possessions can be our destruction as the children of God. Jesus teaches “to worship only the Lord, your God” (Luke 4:8). In other words, this inclination to accumulate possessions or avarice is not good, and it does not come from God. Jesus offers this interpretation from this monotheist faith: humanity can only worship God.
Sobrino’s Perspective on Wealth: Temptation or Liberation?
Sobrino’s approach to wealth in life, is that wealth is a weakness, a trap, a temptation viewed from human experience. To Sobrino, the term ‘poor’ is a sociological classification. This perspective reflects the Marxist concept of classes, rather than the divine revelation of the poor of spirit, which includes everyone. If Sobrino’s approach to the accumulation of wealth is as a temptation, worshiping and giving cult to the material; then, in this sense, Sobrino is right to be against this temptation- wealth.
The poor are Christological criterion, not in a select manner, as Sobrino affirms, but in an inclusive sense. “Christ is present at least among the poor and the outcasts.” The gap between the rich and the poor is a problem of human materialism, and not because of Jesus’ preferential option for the poor, as Sobrino affirms. As a result, Jesus became poor for all people among the poor. Thus, the announcement of the Good News is for all, must be considered not as a principal of partiality but of universality. In this sense, the poor open the door of gratitude (Luke 14:7 – 14), and thus we are blessed because gratitude helps us be open to God.
