(Proverbs 30:8) One of the most difficult questions facing Christians today is that of the proper attitude toward possessions. In wealthy nations such as Britain and the USA, individuals accumulate much and yet are daily exposed to the plight of the poor, whether the homeless on their own city streets or starving children on their TV screens. What action should we take on behalf of the poor? What should we do with our own possessions? In Craig Blomberg asks what the Bible has to say about these issues. Avoiding easy answers, he instead seeks a comprehensive biblical theology of possessions. And so he begins with the groundwork laid by the Old Testament and the ideas developed in the intertestamental period, then draws out what the whole New Testament has to say on the subject, and finally offers conclusions and applications relevant to our contemporary world. is one book that all should read who are concerned with issues of poverty and wealth.
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Craig L. Blomberg is distinguished professor of New Testament at Denver Seminary. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland. He is the author, co-author or co-editor of fifteen books and more than eighty articles in journals or multi-author works. A recurring topic of interest in his writings is the historical reliability of the Scriptures. Craig and his wife Fran have two daughters and reside in Centennial, Colorado.
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41 of 42 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
God's been really dealing with me lately about my money spending habits and my whole philosophy of material possessions in general. I read about how Bill Bright gave all of his money to start Campus Crusade for Christ, and refused to take a salary, or own a house or own a car. I read about how Dr. Tony Evans and Dr. Rick Warren are reverse tithers, giving 90% of what they take in. And I was starting to wonder what God's will was in this whole matter of possessions. So I ordered Craig Blomberg's book, having read his awesome work "Jesus and the Gospels," and finding him to be a trustworthy and reliable exegete.
I was very impressed with this book. I like how he started with the Old Testament, and how he pointed out the generosity of the patriarchs (Abraham in particular), and how even Joseph used the possessions he had access to to provide grain for the world and for his starving brothers and family.
He then talks about wealth as God's covenant blessing to the Israelites if they obeyed Him (and how that this principle is not transferable to the New Testament era, as we have our own covenant with God that is NOT tied to the land).
There is also a discussion of wealth and possessions in Proverbs and in the other salient Old Testament books, Blomberg concludes that wealth is a blessing from God and that we should use what we have to be a blessing to others and especially to the poor around us (Proverbs 3:27-28; Deuteronomy 15:11). He notes the texts that promise judgment to those who neglect the poor (Proverbs 11:24-26; 21:13). He concludes that the overall OT understanding of personal possessions is summed up in Proverbs 30:8-9 (Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me my daily bread). As he says later on page 131, "Ask God to meet your needs, not your greeds." Right on!
There is a brief chapter summarizing the widely different views of possessions in Jewish intertestamental literature, as well as the literature of the Stoics and of Aristotle, and of other Greco-Roman writers.
Then Blomberg discusses the New Testament data. He notes that the overall message of the parables is that we need to be ready to part with material possessions to serve God wholeheartedly, to put kingdom concerns over material concerns. He interprets the parable of the sheep and the goats (Matthew 25:31-46) as Jesus' call to minister to the physical and emotional needs of his workers in particular. He is aware that this text has been co-opted by many as a directive toward all people, and while he acknowledges this as an admirable venture, he feels that this is a misinterpretation of the text.
I couldn't wait for Blomberg to get to the story of the rich young ruler, and I liked what he had to say. He notes that the young man's wealth stood in the way of him becoming a disciple of Jesus, and Jesus called him on it.
Yet Blomberg stops short of giving a clear application for believers today based on this text. I found myself wishing he had said more. He did say later that we cannot be legalistic and demand that everyone give 100% of what they have to the poor, as apparent from the fact that not everyone in scripture does this.
Blomberg also notes that the New Testament is consistent with the Old Testament in its admonitions to give generously to the poor (Mark 10:21, Luke 11:41). He goes on to say that Mary's anointing Jesus with the expensive perfume (John 12) was an extravagant act of giving in advance of a one time, never to be repeated event (the death and burial of Jesus).
Blomberg also surveys the material found in James, noting that true salvation will result in doing good in the lives of those are less fortunate.
He also discusses the material in Acts, observing that the early church tried to take the words of Deuteronomy 15:4 seriously (there shall be no poor among you). People regularly sold their possessions and laid the money at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need (Acts 4:32-36; Acts 2:43). Blomberg also recognizes that these were not one time acts, but as needs were made known.
He notes that Dorcas (Acts 9:36, Cornelius (Acts 10:2-4), and the Antioch church (Acts 11:27-30) are all commended for their giving.
He also points out that there are a number of wealthy people in Acts who use their possessions to be a blessing, yet they still held on to some of their wealth as well (Lydia in Acts 16, Aquila and Priscilla, who apparently had enough money to travel (Acts 18:2-3), and others.)
In surveying Paul's letters, he notes Galatians 2:10, which mentions the desire of the Jerusalem leadership and of Paul to remember the poor.
He observes that Paul is consistent with James in that genuine Christianity should lead to obedience, including the whole area of financial stewardship.
He notes from 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus that families should take care of their own before they burden the church with requests for support.
Blomberg also recognizes the possibility that Christians may be rich, as he instructs the wealthier members not to put their hope in their wealth, but to put their hope in God and to be generous (1 Timothy 6:17-18).
In surveying the Johannine literature, Blomberg states that Jesus is no ascetic, as demonstrated by his generously turning the water into wine, and his feeding of the 5000, and cooking breakfast for the disciples (John 21), after he allows them to catch 153 fish!
Blomberg concludes that there is danger in oversimplifying what the Bible says about material possessions. Yet he gives these observations: 1. Material possessions are a gift from God meant for His people to enjoy. 2. Material possessions can be used by Satan to turn people's hearts from God (Gen 3, 1 Tim 6:10). 3. A sign of spiritual life is that we become better stewards of what God has blessed us with (Jas 2:14-17; 1 John 3:17-18). 4. Certain extremes of wealth and poverty are intolerable. 5. The Bible's teaching about material possessions are intertwined with its teaching about spiritual matters.
Blomberg also gives a personal testimony of how he was challenged to give 25% ofhis money for ministries around the world, and now he and his wife give over 30% of their income, even though his family's income is $4000 less than the average suburbanite family in his neighborhood, and he gives all the glory to God.
This was a great book, and it makes me want to experience more of God's blessings by being a generous giver.
I was very impressed with this book. I like how he started with the Old Testament, and how he pointed out the generosity of the patriarchs (Abraham in particular), and how even Joseph used the possessions he had access to to provide grain for the world and for his starving brothers and family.
He then talks about wealth as God's covenant blessing to the Israelites if they obeyed Him (and how that this principle is not transferable to the New Testament era, as we have our own covenant with God that is NOT tied to the land).
There is also a discussion of wealth and possessions in Proverbs and in the other salient Old Testament books, Blomberg concludes that wealth is a blessing from God and that we should use what we have to be a blessing to others and especially to the poor around us (Proverbs 3:27-28; Deuteronomy 15:11). He notes the texts that promise judgment to those who neglect the poor (Proverbs 11:24-26; 21:13). He concludes that the overall OT understanding of personal possessions is summed up in Proverbs 30:8-9 (Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me my daily bread). As he says later on page 131, "Ask God to meet your needs, not your greeds." Right on!
There is a brief chapter summarizing the widely different views of possessions in Jewish intertestamental literature, as well as the literature of the Stoics and of Aristotle, and of other Greco-Roman writers.
Then Blomberg discusses the New Testament data. He notes that the overall message of the parables is that we need to be ready to part with material possessions to serve God wholeheartedly, to put kingdom concerns over material concerns. He interprets the parable of the sheep and the goats (Matthew 25:31-46) as Jesus' call to minister to the physical and emotional needs of his workers in particular. He is aware that this text has been co-opted by many as a directive toward all people, and while he acknowledges this as an admirable venture, he feels that this is a misinterpretation of the text.
I couldn't wait for Blomberg to get to the story of the rich young ruler, and I liked what he had to say. He notes that the young man's wealth stood in the way of him becoming a disciple of Jesus, and Jesus called him on it.
Yet Blomberg stops short of giving a clear application for believers today based on this text. I found myself wishing he had said more. He did say later that we cannot be legalistic and demand that everyone give 100% of what they have to the poor, as apparent from the fact that not everyone in scripture does this.
Blomberg also notes that the New Testament is consistent with the Old Testament in its admonitions to give generously to the poor (Mark 10:21, Luke 11:41). He goes on to say that Mary's anointing Jesus with the expensive perfume (John 12) was an extravagant act of giving in advance of a one time, never to be repeated event (the death and burial of Jesus).
Blomberg also surveys the material found in James, noting that true salvation will result in doing good in the lives of those are less fortunate.
He also discusses the material in Acts, observing that the early church tried to take the words of Deuteronomy 15:4 seriously (there shall be no poor among you). People regularly sold their possessions and laid the money at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need (Acts 4:32-36; Acts 2:43). Blomberg also recognizes that these were not one time acts, but as needs were made known.
He notes that Dorcas (Acts 9:36, Cornelius (Acts 10:2-4), and the Antioch church (Acts 11:27-30) are all commended for their giving.
He also points out that there are a number of wealthy people in Acts who use their possessions to be a blessing, yet they still held on to some of their wealth as well (Lydia in Acts 16, Aquila and Priscilla, who apparently had enough money to travel (Acts 18:2-3), and others.)
In surveying Paul's letters, he notes Galatians 2:10, which mentions the desire of the Jerusalem leadership and of Paul to remember the poor.
He observes that Paul is consistent with James in that genuine Christianity should lead to obedience, including the whole area of financial stewardship.
He notes from 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus that families should take care of their own before they burden the church with requests for support.
Blomberg also recognizes the possibility that Christians may be rich, as he instructs the wealthier members not to put their hope in their wealth, but to put their hope in God and to be generous (1 Timothy 6:17-18).
In surveying the Johannine literature, Blomberg states that Jesus is no ascetic, as demonstrated by his generously turning the water into wine, and his feeding of the 5000, and cooking breakfast for the disciples (John 21), after he allows them to catch 153 fish!
Blomberg concludes that there is danger in oversimplifying what the Bible says about material possessions. Yet he gives these observations: 1. Material possessions are a gift from God meant for His people to enjoy. 2. Material possessions can be used by Satan to turn people's hearts from God (Gen 3, 1 Tim 6:10). 3. A sign of spiritual life is that we become better stewards of what God has blessed us with (Jas 2:14-17; 1 John 3:17-18). 4. Certain extremes of wealth and poverty are intolerable. 5. The Bible's teaching about material possessions are intertwined with its teaching about spiritual matters.
Blomberg also gives a personal testimony of how he was challenged to give 25% ofhis money for ministries around the world, and now he and his wife give over 30% of their income, even though his family's income is $4000 less than the average suburbanite family in his neighborhood, and he gives all the glory to God.
This was a great book, and it makes me want to experience more of God's blessings by being a generous giver.
36 of 37 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I read this book as background for preaching on Christian giving and its relationship to tithing in the Old Testament. Blomberg provides a detailed look at the Bible's teaching on money and possessions, by examining the various biblical corpora.
He also gives sobering, up-to-date information on how Americans spend their money and the proportion of it which they give to Christian missions. His account of his own journey on this issue is one of the many helpful features of the book.
I also appreciated his discussion of capitalism versus socialism. This is done with grace, and should be helpful to you, whatever point of view you have.
As a result of reading this book, I have been challenged to develop a plan for my own giving. I highly recommend this book if you are looking for sensible guidance on Christian stewardship.
28 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a work that the Western Church needs today. With our pre-occupation with vending machine theology, a God who is obligated to give us what WE want Him to, whether it be "health/wealth gospel" preaching or the simple deemphasis of passages that speak on our need for contentment in all things, the author makes a good case for a Biblical view of wealth. One that does not despise the things of the world, nor does it cling to them.
There is nothing extraordinary here to those who have thought on the issue. But it produces a thorough development of the Biblical teachings on weath, synthesizes thsoe teachings well, and given our general LACK of thinking on this issue, it is needed and welcome.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very Interesting Advice!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It contains a plethora of information concerning wealth and possessions directly from the pages of Scripture. Read more
Published 8 months ago by rpreffer
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Best Book On The Subject
Craig Blomberg has written a masterful synthesis of the Bible's teachings on wealth. He trusts the Bible and is a trustworthy guide to it. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Glen Davis
5.0 out of 5 stars
What Does the Bible Teach about Material Possessions?
This review originally appeared at [...] on 11/20/08.
Special thanks to my friends Clark & Bryn for buying this book for me as a gift. Read more
Special thanks to my friends Clark & Bryn for buying this book for me as a gift. Read more
Published on November 14, 2010 by danny
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great book on a biblical view of possessions
Neither Poverty nor Riches is a great book on what the Bible teaches about wealth, money, and possessions.
Published on September 4, 2009 by Charles F. Taylor
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Good Overview and Handy Reference
Craig Blomberg, a New Testament scholar of impeccable credentials, surveys the Biblical evidence concerning material possessions. Read more
Published on June 21, 2009 by Brett A. Stroud
5.0 out of 5 stars
Blomberg Talks the Walk and Walks the Talk
Armed with the Bible and over 300 references from other books and articles, Prof. Blomberg presents what he rightly sub-titles "A Biblical Theology of Material Possession" because... Read more
Published on January 7, 2009 by A. Sutono, a.k.a., Birdey The Observer
3.0 out of 5 stars
Dry, not terribly persuasive
I was looking for a book that researched the entire Bible on the issue of possessions. This met that bill, but it was short on analysis. Read more
Published on January 2, 2009 by Roger Castle
5.0 out of 5 stars
Precisely what it purports to be, and well done at that.
Craig Blomberg consistently offers among the most deeply researched, carefully considered and clearly organized, well articulated, biblically-based theological studies available. Read more
Published on February 18, 2008 by Reformed Review
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very Thorough
This book is very thoughtful. I truly enjoyed the scholarship and the insight. I highly recommend it.
Published on January 20, 2008 by John T. Fay
1.0 out of 5 stars
Not what it purports to be
This author takes up an offense for the poor against the wealthy categorizing those with wealth - all western cizilization - as the reason many/most poor cannot escape structural... Read more
Published on June 20, 2007 by Douglas K. Jones
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 100
books:
See all 100 books this book cites
- The Acts of the Apostles by F. F. Bruce in Back Matter (1), Back Matter (2), and Back Matter (3)
- Jesus and the Politics of his Day by E. Bammel in Back Matter (1), Back Matter (2), and Back Matter (3)
- Jesus of Nazareth: Lord and Christ: Essays on the Historical Jesus and New Testament Christology by Joel B. Green in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger: Moving from Affluence to Generosity by Ronald J. Sider on page 23, and Back Matter
- Acts of the Apostles (Great Bible Discovery) by Send the Light in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
See all 100 books this book cites
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