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Speaking about Money Matters Plainly

Text: Matthew 10 : 8 - 13

Jesus broached the subject of money very openly. In fact, He could not have been more specific when He spoke as He did.

“Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper
in your money belts,nor bag for your journey,
nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs…”
Matthew 10:9-10

“Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts…”

This text offers us a glimpse of the monetary means of exchange in those days. Of course, they did not have paper money in those days. Gold, as may be expected, was the highest denomination used in transactions. Next came silver and lastly copper. Coins were minted in Caesar’s image.

If Jesus did not settle this issue as He did, there could be a big discussion as to how much they would need to bring with them. Lots of money-related questions could be raised. Where would they get their meals? How much should they pay for food? What if people gave them money?

This was not the time nor the place to discuss these matters. The disciples were still in the earlier stages of training. They had to get some experience with reference to preaching, teaching, healing and even exorcism. If their minds were distracted by monetary matters they might well be in danger of being sidetracked!

“Nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics…”

The “bag” is a reference of what we may call “a knapsack”. This bag may be used to put simple belongings, or even extra food. Hence, the idea of “two tunics” was mentioned in association with the word “bag”. People generally wore “tunics” and “cloaks”. The former refers to the garment that had direct contact with the skin. The latter was used as something you wear over the tunic.

It would be quite normal to carry a small bag or knapsack that could contain a change of clothes as it were. Jesus wanted His disciples to learn how to exercise both faith and obedience. They must exercise faith that the Lord would somehow provide for them – including the basic details such as food, clothing and other daily necessities! They must also learn what it means to obey Jesus their Lord. If He has expressly forbidden them to bring bag and an extra piece of clothing, would they obey?

“Nor sandals, nor staff…”

The Romans did build good roads. However, that was true with special reference to the highways. They built good roads so that they can move their armies swiftly from one point of the empire to another. However, the inner roads were essentially mud roads. It was not unusual to carry an extra pair of sandals, just in case the straps of one pair of sandals were broken.

The roads were dusty in the hot months. They became dirty and slippery in wet months. Travellers used staffs to help them walk more safely.

Nevertheless, Jesus wanted His disciples to learn how to take instructions given to them. They were first called disciples. One of the more important lessons learned was obedience. They were now called apostles. They were also commissioned and empowered for ministry. Nevertheless, they must learn that they must always practice the lesson on obedience! At all times, Jesus must ever be Lord. At no time, must they, whether as disciples or apostles assume lordship! The key operative word would be “obedience”. Hence we see the elaborate instruction on such topics as “money belt, tunics, sandals and staff”.

PROVING THEIR WORTH

The “disciples” may have been “elevated” to “apostles”. However, their true worth was not to be found in the “titles” given to them. Their real worth must be proven in the way they served. The phrase, “the worker is worthy of his food” therefore held special significance. Let us consider the following thoughts.

1. Emphasis is on the word “worker”

The disciples were not to promote their titles as “apostles”. They were instead charged with the responsibility of working.

a) They were to work at preaching.

b) They were to work at teaching.

c) They were to work at healing people.

d) They would certainly have to work hard when it came to the matter of casting out demons.

2. Emphasis on “worthy”

What is the “worth” of a worker? Worth was essentially a relative term.

a) There was of course intrinsic worth.

i) There was intrinsic worth in the work of proclaiming the Gospel.

ii) There was obvious worth in the work of healing the sick.

b) There was the aspect of extrinsic worth.

i) This was something that they could not control.

ii) The public would have to determine what their worth was.

iii) The “reward” given to the apostles would be an indication of their “worth”.

iv) How well the disciples were taken care of (read “food”) would be an indication of how people appreciated their ministry.

The disciples were all new to the work that Jesus had sent them to do. How well would they fare? Jesus only promised sufficient power to do their work well. How well they would perform would depend on the efforts put in by the disciples themselves.