What might Jesus have thought about 401k's, pensions...? (Matthew 6: 19-21)

[whatevergirl]

Please read below, this is Matthew 6: 19-21…just curious if anyone knows the RCC’s interpretation of this passage, and how do you think Jesus might have viewed 401k’s, etc? Would He have frowned on these types of savings funds? Or does the passage have more to do with putting these types of savings vehicles ABOVE our love for our Lord? Appreciate your thoughts.

***19
" Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal."
20
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal;
21
for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. ***

 

[ChadS]

I think that verse has more to do with people who put their love of money and the accumulation of material things above their relationship with the Lord. I don’t thing the Church would have anything in particular against retirement accounts as long as they are done with integrity – meaning the money isn’t coming from illegal activities or you haven’t cheated others to get the money. I think the way the money is invested should be something we as Christians are concerned with but too often we don’t know how exactly the money is invested.

ChadS

 

[briang72]

Please read below, this is Matthew 6: 19-21…just curious if anyone knows the RCC’s interpretation of this passage, and how do you think Jesus might have viewed 401k’s, etc? Would He have frowned on these types of savings funds? Or does the passage have more to do with putting these types of savings vehicles ABOVE our love for our Lord? Appreciate your thoughts.

***19
" Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal."
20
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal;
21
for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. ***

I always thought that this passage meant not to take much stock in earthly things. Materialism and financial wealth become gods to some people. If this money is being saved to assist you later in life when, for whatever reason (physical ability, mental ability, mandated retirement), you cannot work to support yourself any longer, I don’t see the harm in that. If you find you have stored up too much treasure, give it away charitably.

Another message I think Jesus is trying to send here is that we need to invest more time (and possibly money) in Godly things (prayer, sacrifices, charitable work/giving) and not worry so much about what our next material purchase will be.

 

[Ignatius]

Please read below, this is Matthew 6: 19-21…just curious if anyone knows the RCC’s interpretation of this passage, and how do you think Jesus might have viewed 401k’s, etc? Would He have frowned on these types of savings funds? Or does the passage have more to do with putting these types of savings vehicles ABOVE our love for our Lord? Appreciate your thoughts.

19
***" Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal." ***
***20 ***
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal;
***21 ***
***for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. ***

The Bible also says that the righteous will leave an inheritance for their offspring. Now this would be impossible without putting something away. The Scripture does not command us to drive ourselves into poverty, in which case we could help no one, but to help those less fortunately. If you take a few verses as the whole of the bible, you will surely misunderstand the message. We must understand the entire bible if we are to clearly and correctly discern the message of Christ.

Grace and peace to you.

Your brother in Christ.

 

[rwoehmke]

Knowing that he was going to die at age 33, I doubt Jesus would have put away any shekels. In those days in His country children were responsible for their elderly parents who would have been housed in the same house with them. Still happens in some parts of the world, but in the Western world we leave our elderly widows and orphans to struggle to make ends meet if they even have any ends.

I seriously doubt that Jesus meant that it would be wrong to put by for a rainy day. Joseph had the Egyptians store up grain to meet the coming hard times. When he made John Mary’s son he provided for her old age. Without accumulating some worldly goods, how was John to accomplish this. The trouble only arrives when your accumulated wealth becomes you god and the needs of others are totally ignored

 

[whatevergirl]

I always thought that this passage meant not to take much stock in earthly things. Materialism and financial wealth become gods to some people. If this money is being saved to assist you later in life when, for whatever reason (physical ability, mental ability, mandated retirement), you cannot work to support yourself any longer, I don’t see the harm in that. If you find you have stored up too much treasure, give it away charitably.

Another message I think Jesus is trying to send here is that we need to invest more time (and possibly money) in Godly things (prayer, sacrifices, charitable work/giving) and not worry so much about what our next material purchase will be.

I’m so glad you bring this up, brian, because on the radio today, I heard this talk about this particular passage, and the gentleman giving the talk said pretty much what you’re saying here. That Jesus doesn’t suggest that we have nothing to get by on later in life, but that we have spiritual treasures stored up in Heaven–which should be more important. Thanks for your reply.

 

[whatevergirl]

The Bible also says that the righteous will leave an inheritance for their offspring. Now this would be impossible without putting something away. The Scripture does not command us to drive ourselves into poverty, in which case we could help no one, but to help those less fortunately. If you take a few verses as the whole of the bible, you will surely misunderstand the message. We must understand the entire bible if we are to clearly and correctly discern the message of Christ.

Grace and peace to you.

Yes that is a great point. Whenever things are taken out of context, it is hard what preceded it, and what led up to that point Jesus was making. Thank you for your time!
Your brother in Christ.

 

[dacoobob]

Saving for the future is prudent and not a bad thing. I think the danger lies in putting your trust in that money to see you through, resting your heart in it. Save, but remember that anything can happen, and that it is God who provides. Right?

 

[jules208]

I agree with what has been said so far and to give it balance, let us remember Saint Basil’s thoughtful words:

“The bread which you do not use is the bread of the hungry; the garment hanging in your wardrobe is the garment of him who is naked; the shoes that you do not wear are the shoes of the one who is barefoot; the money that you keep locked away is the money of the poor; the acts of charity that you do not perform are so many injustices that you commit.”

This quote is found on the January 2, 2008 publication at Saint of the Day online. I love it - deeply convicting!