CONNECTING POINT: The Two-Cent Lesson

The subject of wealth and prosperity comes up often in the New Testament. Jesus taught about money and possessions nearly 15% of the time, including the matter in 11 of His 39 parables. As a truthteller, He most often cuts to the motive of an individual’s heart, which reveals that person's character. First-century Jewish society was extremely polarized. The affluent treated the poor harshly, including the religious leaders who were excessively judgmental. Jesus stood up for people of good character.

“As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw...