Jesus’ Teachings on Prosperity in the MarketplaceSample

A New Strategy - Alignment with the Tax Collectors

After confronting the priests Jesus knew they were not going to repent.  They had too much to lose!  So, He set about putting them out of business by disrupting the multiple revenue streams to the Temple by converting the tax collectors.  These tax collectors were the conduit through which the revenues flowed from the exploited people to the priests and then on up to the Romans.

First, He called Levi, who was a leading tax collector and a customs agent.  Jesus converted Levi, who became Matthew, and over one hundred other tax collectors and their assistants at the same time.  They ate dinner together that night which in ancient times meant they were of one accord and in agreement. This would have had a huge impact on the income to the Temple.

Jesus went on to convert Zacchaeus, another leader of tax-collectors.  Zacchaeus was so completely converted from corruption to the Kingdom that he undertook to return 400% of illegal taxes taken from the poor people of the Jericho region, and to give them 50% of his future income.  Not only was this a significant blow to the revenues of the Temple but is was a huge boost for the starving people.  The Kingdom of God was now at hand and the culture of greed and corruption was beginning to shift to one of caring and sharing.

It should be noted here that as the people of Jericho now had the means to commence business themselves, they were able to create wealth which in turn began to prosper others in the region, including Zacchaeus himself who could now collect legitimate amounts of tax without harming the people.  The principles of God are the only ones which work in the marketplace! We can see through the life of Jesus with absolute confidence that by partnering with Kingdom minded people and implementing practices that allow money to flow and support Kingdom aligned projects, people will prosper and be victorious.