In the mind of many of today’s Christians, Jesus was an economic flop. Let us look at his management of finances:
1. He practiced community of goods it seems, and put the bag in the hands of a thief. He knew Judas’s heart when he assigned him the task.
2. He taught his disciples to pay taxes they did not owe. (Review the account where he told Peter to catch a fish and pull a coin out of his mouth.)
3. Since Peter had to go catch a fish to pay this tax, it seems he lived hand to mouth at times.
4. Since he agreed with John the Baptist’s teaching, “let him that has two coats give to him that has none”, it would have been his practice. It is doubtful that He had more than one set of outer garments.
5. He never asked for money that we can read of. He would have flunked the modern classes in the seminaries on raising finances.
6. He taught to give and loan without consideration as to whether it would bring a good financial return or not. In fact he taught that it would bring a blessing to share with those whom you know will not be able to repay.
7. He seem to think that money was not a part of the kingdom of God in the sense that he said to give to Ceasar the things that belonged to him, and to give to God the things that belong to God. This was in reference to money. Since Ceasar made the money, let him have it if he wants it.
Taken from The Deceitfulness of Riches.