O'Donoghue MTh_Thesis-FinalCopy.pdf - South African Theological ...

SUMMARYThis thesis conducts a biblical-theological analysis of Matthew 6:19-34. The mainproblem is to clarify what this passage of scripture teaches about the relationshipbetween the Christian disciple and money. Matthew 6:19-34 is found within thediscourse known as the Sermon on the Mount. By interacting with the various viewson how the Sermon on the Mount is to be read this thesis settles on the opinion thatthe Sermon is addressed primarily to Christian disciples with the expectation that it’sdemand can and should be met by the disciple.An analysis of the historical and literary contexts of the text is conducted as well asan analysis of the major theological motifs found within the text. By conducting asynthesis of these findings it is shown that Jesus presents money as a rival god thatchallenges for allegiance that rightly belongs to God. Jesus also draws attention tothe way this allegiance to God can be expressed.The findings show that money and God are radically different gods. There aresignificantly different consequences to the believer that result from obedience toeither money or God. Discipleship will be shown to be a discipline that is acommunity affair, and thus the consequences of allegiance to God or money are tobe understood in how one’s stewardship of money affects the community.iv