Why Write about Wealth and Poverty?

Wealth and poverty are two of the main topics we think about, if not on a daily basis, at least very often. It might be a TV ad that makes us aware of the newest features on the latest car. Or skin cream will keep us looking younger, and that way, we’ll earn more over many more years. Perhaps we want to take a vacation, so we calculate the costs involved: travel, accommodation, food, entertainment, and souvenirs.

Poverty on the other hand causes us to shy away people and situations. We prefer not to know the details of a beggar, or a person living on the streets. While we worry about poverty in big cities in North America, we rarely cast an eye on entire nations in an entire continent.

Here’s a telling question. See if you can answer it. How many countries can you name in Africa together with each of the surrounding states (countries)? And here’s a parallel question: How many state capitals can you name in the USA and their surrounding states?

The Scriptures have much to say about poverty and wealth. From the beginning of the life to Jesus to his death, we see our savior living a contented life ,even though he did not own much.

A wonderful poem in the Portuguese language speaks of all that Jesus owned and borrowed. He borrowed a manger, a boat, a boy’s meal, an Upper Room, a donkey, and much more. He even took my sin on himself. All Jesus owned was lost at the cross. He owned a seamless robe.

How did Early Christians live? Acts chapter 2 and 5 speak of the incredible generosity of disciples in Jerusalem. Did this kindness continue? If so, how long and how far?

The topic of wealth and poverty continues to move me deeply, even after completing the writing of seven novels about the Seven Churches of the Revelation.

I could not enter into the lives of early Christians, people living in the Seven Churches of the Revelation, without thinking about small home churches, the owners of the house and property. What were their vocations and professions, their banking situations, and Roman taxation?

Also, I could not jump over the fact that most early believers were mostly poor, illiterate day workers. Many were slaves. In an earlier blog post, I wrote about slavery. These persons were quickly overcome by sickness and disease. Yet, they came to believe in a Jewish Messiah in great numbers

We have to face a wonderful reality. The early church grew rapidly, much more quickly than the natural population growth in the Roman Empire. Something more important than overcoming the gap between rich and poor was evident in early Christian fellowships.

There was a motivation that captured the human spirit. It was Agape Love. It was Christ’s love being lived out in practical ways.

The theme of agape love overcoming differences is one of the major underlying themes of all my writing. Love did not come without its challenges. Roman soldiers and city magistrates, for example, couldn’t make heads or tails of this new motivation: Love. They opposed it vigorously. Yet, in spite of opposition, the church grew in almost every part of the Empire.

Agape love between rich and poor people, between men and women, between Jews and Greeks, barbarians and Scythians changed lives.

And I love writing about this change. It continues until today. Agape Love – what a theme!