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CA5
Not Using Religion to Acquire Riches

CA5

We are not to use religion to acquire riches.

Category: Prioritization & Acquisition of Wealth & Possessions

Type: Negative

Form: Implied

Source dataset: New Testament

Uniqueness: Not unique

Classical commandment: No

New Covenant Literal Application

Applies to Person Categories: Not specified

Literal Application: Not specified

More explanation about New Covenant Literal Application

The New Covenant Literal Application Code (NCLA) is an interpretive guide used by the authors to indicate which person categories a mitzvah applies to, and at what level of literal compliance.

It combines person categories such as Jewish, K'rov Yisrael, and Gentile, together with male/female distinctions and an application level such as mandated, recommended, optional, or prohibited.

This code reflects the authors' interpretive opinion and is provided for prayerful consideration. On this page, the technical code is summarized into plain language to help new readers understand it more easily.

Read the full explanation from the source

Bible references

Key NT Scriptures
  • 1 Timothy 6:3-6
Supportive NT Scriptures
  • Luke 6:24
  • Matthew 6:24
  • 1 Timothy 6:17-19
Supportive OT Scriptures
  • Proverbs 23:4-5

Bible verses copyright: PUBLIC DOMAIN except in the United Kingdom, where a Crown Copyright applies to printing the KJV. See http://www.cambridge.org/about-us/who-we-are/queens-printers-patent

Commentary

Rabbi Michael Rudolph

This Mitzvah is misunderstood if one believes that every attempt to raise money for a religious purpose is wrong. It costs money to feed the poor, support ministers and build or lease congregational buildings. The giving of tithes and offerings to support the Levites, maintain the Tabernacle (later the Temple) and to assist the poor are, in fact, commanded in Scripture. No, this Mitzvah to “not use religion to acquire riches” speaks against a wrong heart attitude of using religion in order to acquire riches. It is not wrong for a minister to want to earn a living through ministry and even to become wealthy while in ministry and through ministry, but it is wrong to pursue ministry for the purpose of becoming wealthy.


Copyright © Michael Rudolph and Daniel C. Juster, The Law of Messiah - Torah from a New Covenant Perspective - Volume 3

Related Law of Messiah commandments

Source and License

Based on The Law of Messiah - Torah from a New Covenant Perspective by Michael Rudolph and Daniel C. Juster.

Volume 1 & 2 | Volume 3

License: CC BY-ND 4.0 (Attribution required, NoDerivatives). CC BY-ND 4.0

Disclaimer: the original content is authored by Rabbi Michael Rudolph and Rabbi Daniel Juster; additional notes or implementation details on this website are not part of their original work and do not represent their views.

Record source: The Law of Messiah - Torah from a New Covenant Perspective - Volume 3

Copyright note: Copyright © Michael Rudolph and Daniel C. Juster, The Law of Messiah - Torah from a New Covenant Perspective - Volume 3

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