The Poor or the Wealthy Messiah?
The Christmas story of Jesus birth has been so distorted that without fail people believe that Jesus was born in a stable because his parents were so poor that they could not afford to stay in the inn. But the truth is that Jesus: the wealthy messiah was born when all of Israel was being registered for Roman taxation. Each family was required to register at their familial city of origin so Joseph and Mary traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem, because Joseph was a descendent of the family of David. When they arrived in Bethlehem there was nowhere to stay because all the hotel rooms were occupied by other travelers, so they spent the night in a stable not because they did not have the resources to stay in a hotel.
Remember, Joseph was a carpenter who would have learned his trade from his father as was the custom in Israel during that time. Carpenters were skilled craftsman in Jesus day and could be compared to contractors today. Joseph and Mary obviously had a home because when the magi came to give their gifts to Jesus, Matthew records that “they came into the house.” But, I am getting ahead of myself.
Was Jesus Born Poor or Wealthy?
I will concede that there is strong evidence that indicates that when Jesus was dedicated to the Lord in the Temple that his family was not exactly wealthy and might even be described as poor. Luke records that when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, Joseph and Mary brought Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (just as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male will be set apart to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice according to what is specified in the law of the Lord, a pair of doves or two young pigeons. (Luke 2:22-24). Luke referenced the law of purification after childbirth recorded in Leviticus 12:7-8 which states that if the mother cannot afford to offer a lamb and a pigeon or turtledove, then she must take two turtledoves or two young pigeons.
Based on this verse, if we agree that when Jesus was born his family was more or less poor then we must explore the overwhelming evidence which indicates that he did not stay poor but became a wealthy messiah. Matthew records that after Jesus’ birth “wise men came from the east”. Nowhere does it state that three wise men came nor does it record that their only gifts were trinket boxes as nativity scenes mistakenly portray. Most likely there were more than three men and we are told that “they opened their treasure boxes and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” The gifts they brought were most likely treasure chests as the translation refers to treasures or treasury (the place in which good and precious things are collected and laid up, a casket, coffer, or other receptacle, in which valuables are kept or a treasury).
How much gold, frankincense, and myrrh did they give Jesus? The Bible does not say but we know they were searching for a great King and it was customary in that day as it is today to give gifts of value to royalty. For some reason Christian believers like to get caught up in what the metaphors of the treasure items signify rather than recognizing the very clear implication that these gifts were worth a fortune due to their rarity and the expense to bring them such great distances.
Wealthy Magi
It’s absurd to think that wealthy sages would travel across the desert for weeks if not months or years to bring trinket boxes called “treasures”. A small chest of pure gold, approximately 1/2 cu. ft’ or less than 8″ square would weigh over 50 pounds, would be an appropriate gift for a king. Today’s market value for gold is about $1,200/troy ounce and with 12 troy ounces per troy pound a 50 lbs treasure box of gold would equal almost ¾ of a million dollars. [Updated in December 2023 — The spot price of gold is $2,076/troy oz… this would equal over one million dollars, more specifically, $1,245,600.00]. Needless to say frankincense and myrrh were even more valuable than gold during the time of Christ. Although we don’t know how much the magi gave, if we estimate that their gifts were of comparable value, then the combined gifts would be worth two to three million dollars. Even today that would be a nice fortune for the average person.
Obviously the arrival in Israel, of the magi with their retinue, troubled King Herod, who was known for his building projects and his cruelty. He did not seem to be concerned about prophecies of a male child being born until wealthy and influential magi from the east came looking to “worship” Jesus then he sat up and took notice. Apparently he was quite concerned about the magi and the large group of people traveling with them to help them. Why else would Herod have tried to kill Jesus as a baby? Was he really concerned that a baby would take over his kingdom, or could it be that he was after the great wealth that the magi brought as gifts?
Modern Historians Research the Gifts of the Magi
Peter J. Daniels, a Christian billionaire, commissioned a team of historians to research the magi and the gifts which they brought to Jesus when he was born. Their conclusion was that over 300 kings came bearing gifts for Jesus with a calculated wealth of over $4 million by today’s standards . He said that Persian documents showed that the gift was escorted by an army, and that the reference in Matthew chapter two regarding Herod and the people being troubled was because they supposedly thought it was an invading army.
When King Herod ordered all of the male children under the age of two years old to be killed, Jesus were in great danger and Joseph and Mary had to escape to save his life. Notably, the Magi’s gifts afforded them the resources to be able to quickly travel a great distance to Egypt, and live for many years in a foreign country where they would have known no one. Later, they had the finances to return to their homeland when Herod died.
If it is true that Jesus was born into a poor family he by no means remained poor. The Lord provided for Joseph and Mary to not just meet Jesus’ needs but gave their family more than enough knowing that their impact on the world would change history.
The Wealthy Messiah not only wants to meet your needs but to give you net-breaking, boat-sinking increase so that you have more than enough to fulfill what He has called you to do.
Image Credit: Georgy N Joseph – used with permission
Jesus’birth is a great story untill you realise, but it was real! And the reality is that there was stuff happening we do not know of, but also influence our lives today! If Jesus was fully man, then why did He and His family receive such an enourmous amount of finance? But the real question is, could I really relate to Jesus if He was born a millionair and I wasn’t? If finance wasn’t a problem in His life because of the gift He received from the kings, He had an unfair advantage? The Bible clearly state He was fully man, the same I am???
Is there any way of getting the final documentation on what the guys Mr Daniels commisioned found out? Where can one get it to read up on it?
Danie
d_cillie@yahoo.com
Hi Danie, thanks for taking the time to write. (apparently I missed some older comments the past few years that were filtered out -so forgive this belated reply). Sadly, I cannot provide a link to cite this source. I have a number of Peter Daniels books and I have looked through them but can’t find where I recorded this information. I believe the information he shared was in a video interview which I watched about 15-20 years ago. I have also tried to track down the video interview but have not been able to find it either. All, I can say is that I was meticulous in recording the information that Peter J. Daniels found and citing him as the source. A number of people have asked about it so I will keep looking.
As for whether Jesus was poor or not…. I hope to explore more facets of this in the days ahead. The Bible says that Jesus bore our sin and our shame on the cross so that we can walk in freedom. It also says that He took all of our diseases upon himself so that we might be made well…and that Christ was made poor so that we may be rich. He didn’t walk around diseased and sick ministering to people and I greatly doubt that he was living hand to mouth, homeless and broke. I honestly don’t think he wouldn’t have attracted much of a following in that state.
Either way, I have come to believe that money is amoral -no different than fire and it can be used for great good or great evil. It’s pretty hard to have an impact in the Kingdom of God without finances. I want to have a great impact in the Kingdom. I want to be found faithful with the little I have so that I might be trusted with more.
Thank you very much… Love the article
Thanks!
Greetings from Uganda and New Hope Uganda! My name is Keith McFarland and my family and I serve as missionaries here in Uganda. I ran across your blog article during research for preaching on the Magi. I have not been able to find the Peter J. Daniels study that you mention. Can you let me know where that info came from?
Thanks!!
Hi Keith, thanks for your comment. (I missed some older comments that were filtered out years ago -so forgive this belated reply). Sadly, I cannot provide a link to cite this source. I have a number of Peter Daniels books and I have looked through them but can’t find where I recorded this information. I believe the information he shared was in a video interview which I watched about 15-20 years ago. I have also tried to track down the video interview but have not been able to find it either. All, I can say is that I was meticulous in recording the information that Peter J. Daniels found and citing him as the source. But, I will keep looking.
To: Peter J. Daniels
THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Your wisdom, leadership and encouragement to be Gods man and achieve the Dream has made a difference in my life beyond measure!
I believe in my heart God brought me to this site today “February 21, 2018” not only to have the opportunity to say Thank You but to express my heartfelt prayers for loss of our friend in Christ.
Billy Graham. A man you never failed to give honor for sharing the Gospel to you and your fellow Australians. I know that to the world it seems a day of loss,
But God! In Christ we can have only two emotions “Joy and Happiness!”
Your Friend in Christ.
Michael Morris
I echo your words.
I love this write up . So clear and straight to the point
Thank you for your kind words. It means a lot!
Thank you!
Praise God..He is Great.
Thanks for reading and for sharing.
Yes He is! And, He is so very good to us.
‘The Lord not only wants to meet your needs but to give you net-breaking, boat-sinking increase so that you have more than enough to fulfill what He has called you to do.’
Agreed. Received.
Yes, I love that phrase too! I first heard it from Bob Harrison (Dr. Increase)
I believe if we stop reading the bible with the traditional ideas that Jesus was poor we could see his wealth. When Peter walked on water they were in a boat that was big where Jesus could sleep and not be disturbed. There was not room for them to sleep in the Inn when he was a baby. It was that they did not have money. This list goes on sharing and showing us that the wealth was used by Jesus. I think we ought to look at the customs of day. The money belonged to Jesus not Mary and Joseph. The bible tells us that Jesus did so many things that the bible cannot contain it all. So he had to have funding outside of being a carpenter to live out his ministry.
Thanks for sharing Marcus. I love it. And, I totally agree. ….and what a great last line, “The bible tells us that Jesus did so many things that the bible cannot contain it all. So he had to have funding outside of being a carpenter to live out his ministry.”
A great deal of speculation. A bit interesting but not worthy of spending time on – God’s ways are not mans ways.
Thank you for taking the time to read and respectfully responding.
Can you provide a whitepaper or other material that Peter Daniels paid for? Its not readily available.
I cannot provide a link to it. I have a number of Peter Daniels books. But, I believe the information he shared was in a video interview I watched about 15-20 years ago. After receiving your message I tried to track down the video interview but have been unable to find it.