Money

20 Questions & Answers

#1. What is money?

Answer:
A portable medium of exchange generally accepted in a society as a measure of value.
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#2. Name the coins of the following peoples?
a)Roman, b)Greek, c)Jewish, d)American

Answers:
All these coins are mentioned in the NT except American. Sometimes its meaning or value is confusing.

a)Roman:
a.1)denarius
1. an ancient Roman silver coin originally worth ten asses,
first issued in the latter part of the 3rd century b.c., that fluctuated in value and sometimes appeared as a bronze coin.
2. an ancient Roman gold coin worth 25 silver denarii
3. the coin most often mentioned in the NT is Roman denarius.(the Romans took possession of Palestine in 63 BC).

a.2)farthing
1.used in the King James Version of the Bible to translate a Roman coin.
2. a former bronze coin of Great Britain, equal to one-fourth of a British penny: withdrawn in 1961.
3. something of very small value: I don't care a farthing for your opinion.

a.3)Pound

1)Roman currency, from which the pound is derived

The Roman currency during most of the Roman Republic and the western half of the Roman Empire consisted of coins including the aureus (gold), the denarius (silver), the sestertius (bronze), the dupondius (bronze), and the as (copper). These were used from the middle of the third century BC until the middle of the third century A.D.

They were still accepted as payment in Greek influenced territories, even though these regions issued their own base coinage and some silver in other denominations, either called Greek Imperial or Roman provincial coins.

During the third century, the denarius was replaced by the double denarius, now usually known as the antoninianus or radiate, which was then itself replaced during the monetary reform of Diocletian which created denominations such as the argenteus (silver) and the follis (silvered bronze). After the reforms Roman coinage consisted mainly of the gold solidus and small bronze denominations. This trend continued to the end of the Empire in the West.

2)A talent equaled about seventy-five pounds (Ex 25:39), a mina about 1.25 pounds (1Ki 10:17), forty shekels about one pound (Ge 3:15).

3)Also called pound sterling- a paper money, nickel-brass coin, and monetary unit of the United Kingdom formerly equal to 20 shillings or 240 pence: equal to 100 new pence after decimalization in Feb. 1971. Symbol: £.
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b)Greek:
b.1)drachma (4 definitions are given).
a. the principal silver coin of ancient Greece.
(the main unit of the former Greek currency, before the euro).
b. a cupronickel coin and monetary unit of modern Greece, equal to 100 lepta.
c. a small unit of weight in ancient Greece, approximately equivalent to the U.S. and British apothecaries' dram.
d. A Greek silver coin worth about a day's wages (Lk 15:8; Ac 19:19). The temple tax was two drachmas (Mt 17:24). In Ezr 2:69 and Ne 7:70-72 the term may refer to the Persian daric.
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c)Jewish:
The Israelites typically used the coinage of the nation that ruled over them. But they also developed their own local system of coinage.

c.1)mite
1. a contribution that is small but is all that a person can afford.
2. a very small sum of money.
3. a coin of very small value.
4. a very small creature.

c.2)shekel
1. the main unit of Israeli currency
2. ancient Jewish unit of weight: an ancient Jewish unit of weight equivalent to approximately 16 g (0.5 oz), or a weight, equal to twenty gerahs.
3. an ancient Jewish coin that was a unit of currency between 66 AD and 130 AD
4. Fines, Fees and Sanctuary revenues paid in shekels.

c.3) Gerah:
A weight equal about 1/20 of a shekel or 1/2 gram (Ex 30:13; Lev 27:25; Nu 3:47).

c.4)talent
a. an ancient unit of weight and money. A weight equal to sixty minas or about seventy-five pounds (1Ki 9:14, 28; 10:10, 14; Ex 25:39; 38:27). Parables of the talent(Mt 18:23-34; 25:15-30).
b. any of various ancient units of weight, as a unit of Palestine and Syria equal to 3000 shekels, or a unit of Greece equal to 6000 drachmas.
c. any of various ancient Hebrew or Attic monetary units equal in value to that of a talent weight of gold, silver, or other metal.
d. a power of mind or body considered as given to a person for use and improvement: so called from the parable in Matt. 25:14–30.
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d) American:
d.1)penny
a. The smallest Roman copper coin (Mt 5:26; Mk 12:42; Lk 12:6, 59).
b. coin in United States and Canada: a U.S. and Canadian coin worth one cent
c. former British coin: a bronze coin or a unit of money used in Britain before
1971, worth one twelfth of a shilling, or one two-hundred-and-fortieth of a pound.
Symbol: d
d. a coin or monetary unit with a low value in some countries
e. a very small amount of money
(eg:It won't cost you a penny).

d.2)cent
a common subunit of currency in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the European Union, and several other countries

d.3)dollar
The common unit of currency used in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and several other countries
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#3. When did the Israel start to use the coin?

Answer:
Coins didn't come into use in Israel until after the people returned from exile between 500 and 400 BC. Before that time people bartered, exchanging produce, animals, and precious metals for goods and services. The Israelites probably carried Persian and Babylonian coins back to Israel with them when they returned from exile there.
By Jesus' day, a large variety of coins had come from Rome and Greek as well as their own Jewish form of coinage.
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#4. What kind of images were found on coins?

Answer:
In olden days coins were crudely made. Each was individually punched from gold, silver or some other metal. Then a design was hammered onto each side.
The Greek coins most often had images of nature or animals or gods stamped onto them.
The Roman coins carried the image of the emperor of the time, as well as his name. Coins have been found with the images of all 12 Roman emperors.
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#5. How come Money-changers were found in the temple court?

Answer:
The coins of many lands were in circulation in Palestine during NT times.
The temple tax had to be paid in Jewish currency, shekels. Money-changers set up their businesses in the "outer court" in order to change other coinage into shekels(acceptable money per rabbis decree) for temple worshipers, (Deut 14:24-25). Money changers often cheated their customers, and certain priestly families shared in the proceeds. Sometimes money changers serve as bankers making loans with interest, which was contrary to Mosaic law.

Jesus was not opposed to the operation of such businesses, but to the operation within the temple itself. He furiously scattered them, declaring that his Father's house was a house of prayer, not a business site - (Matt 21:12-13).
"It is written," he said to them, " 'My house will be called a house of prayer,' but you are making it a 'den of robbers.'
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#6. While money is necessary for life in most cultures, the Bible warns against placing more importance on it than it should rightfully have. Can you fill up the missing words in the following verses?

a) Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not __________ for money, but eager to serve; 3not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. (1 Peter 5:2-3)

b) Keep your lives free from the ________ of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." 6So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" (Hebrews 13:5)

c) For the _______ of money is a ______ of all kinds of _______. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many ______.
11But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.(1 Timothy 6:10-12)

(This is a famous verse but often misquoted words about money. A lover of money when giving it away, would make sure the gift was noisily apparent).


Answers:
a)greedy, b)love, c)love, root, evil, griefs.
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#7. Money drives an effective and forceful wedge between our Savior and us.
Jesus knew that and reminded us with the following words. Fill the missing words.

"No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both ______ and _________." (Luke 16:13)

Answer:
God, money.
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#8. With all the teachings available for Christians, are Christians susceptible to money's enticements?

Answer:
The pervasive lure of money and what it can provide-the need to have more and do more and get more- is probably more prevalent in our culture than in any other in history. Christians are just as susceptible to its enticements as anyone else.
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#9. Where the wealth is first mentioned in the Bible and what are the items of wealth?

Answer:
Wealth is first mentioned in the Bible in connection with Abraham (Gen 12:5; 12:16, 20). He possessed the three main items of wealth in the ancient world: livestock, silver and gold (Gen 13:2).
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#10. Since Jesus was a firstborn son not of the tribe of Levi, what his parents had to do to redeem him from the priesthood?

Answer:
Among the Jews the shekel was used for the temple tax, the poll tax, and redemption from the priesthood (Exod 30:11-16; 13:13; Num 3:44-51).
Since Jesus was a firstborn son not of the tribe of Levi, his parents redeemed him from the priesthood (Luke 2:21) by payment of a shekel, worth about a day's wages at the time.
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#11. Why the parable of 10,000 talents the unmerciful servant owed his master (Matt 18:23-25) was an overwhelming debt?

Answer:
It required 3,000 shekels to equal one talent of silver, which reveals that the 10,000 talents was an overwhelming debt,= 30,000000, ie 30 million shekels.
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#12. Who did Jesus send fishing to get money for taxes?
a) Matthew, b) Peter, c)John, d) Nicodemus

Answer:
b)Peter
The coin Peter found in the fish's mouth was the Greek stater (Matt 17:27). Since the temple tax was a half-shekel, the stater would pay for two, ie for Jesus and Peter.
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#13. How much was Judas Iscariot given to betray Jesus?
a)20 pieces of silver, b)A talent of gold, c)30 pieces of silver, d)30 pound

Answer:
c)30 pieces of silver
It is believed that the 30 pieces of silver (Matt 26:15; 27:3-5) that bought the greatest betrayal in history were tetra drachmas.
30 shekels was the price of a slave (Exod 21:32).
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#14. What prophet's sons were greedy, and took bribes?
a)Joshua, b)Elisha, c)Nathan, d)Samuel

Answer:
d)Samuel (1Samuel 8:1-3)
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#15. Who offered Delilah silver to find out the secret of Samson's strength?
a)The lords of the Philistines, b)The chief priests, c) The scribes, d) The Amorites

Answer:
a)the lords of the Philistines (Jud 16:17)
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#16. For how much was Joseph sold to the Ishmaelites?

Answer:
20 shekels (Gen 37:28)
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#17. Fill up. In early biblical times individuals paid tithes and taxes in _________, ________, or ____________ (Deut 14:22,23).

Answer:
grain, oil, or wine.
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#18. If it is too difficult to transport a tenth of one's crops to the place of worship, what does Deuteronomy advise?

Answer:
the crops may be exchanged for silver, (Deut 14:24,25).
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#19. Today we can estimate accurately the weight of silver in most units of ancient money. Compare Hebrew equivalent and weight in silver of the following units?
a) Talent, b)Mina, c)Shekel, d)pim, e)Beka, f)Gerah

Answer: (weights in approximations at best)
a)Talent = 3000 shekels = 75.6 pounds = 34.27 Kg
b)Mina . = 50 shekels . = 1.26 pounds = 571.2 grams
c)shekel .............. = 0.4 ounce.. = 11.42 grams
d)pim... = 2/3 shekel.. = 0.2 ounce.. = 7.62 grams
e)beka.. = 1/2 shekel.. = 0.13 ounce. = 5.71 grams
f)Gerah. = 1/20 shekel. = 8.71 grains = 0.57 gram
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#20. What are the 2 most familiar quotes on love of money?

Answer:
a)1 Tim 6:3-19
If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. ...............(Read from Bible).

b)James 5:1-5
Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. 2Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. 3Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. 4Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. 5You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.
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#21. Where in the bible we see God owns everything?

Answer:
Psalm 24:1. The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.
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#22. Fill up. Deut 8:12-14. Dangers of success.
Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, 13 and when your herds and flocks grow large and your ____________ and __________ increase and all you have is multiplied, 14 then your heart will become proud and you will ____________ the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

Answer:
silver, gold, forget.
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#23. As a rule about loans, OT says several examples to respect people, not money. Provide 2 or 3 of them?

Answer:
a) Exod 22:25. "If you lend money to one of my people among you who is needy, do not be like a moneylender; charge him no interest.

b)Deut 24:10-13. When you make a loan of any kind to your neighbor, do not go into his house to get what he is offering as a pledge. 11 Stay outside and let the man to whom you are making the loan bring the pledge out to you. 12 If the man is poor, do not go to sleep with his pledge in your possession. 13 Return his cloak to him by sunset so that he may sleep in it. Then he will thank you, and it will be regarded as a righteous act in the sight of the LORD your God.

c) Deut 24:6. Do not take a pair of millstones—not even the upper one—as security for a debt, because that would be taking a man's livelihood as security.

Note: The OT laws contained many provisions to protect people from exploitation. Here Israelites could not charge each other interest for loans. Deuteronomy sets limit on the "collateral", or pledge, that secured a loan. The lender could not accept a millstone, for that would threaten the debtor's livelihood. There are several safeguards. The debtor was allowed to keep everything necessary for living. The lender could not even enter the debtor's house to get his pledge.
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#24. Fill up. Matt 6:19-21.
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on __________, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in ____________, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your ___________ will be also.

Answer:
earth, heaven, heart
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#25. Luke being a doctor gives descriptive accounts of physical healings, what does Matthew highlights?

Answer:
Matthew being a former tax collector, highlights stories about money.
Refer Chapters 18, 20, 25. Significantly, the former tax collector records Jesus' strongest words on treatment of the poor and needy.
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#26. Fill up. Psalm 62:10.
Do not trust in extortion or take pride in ______________ goods; though your ___________ increase, do not set your ___________ on them.

Answer:
stolen, riches, heart.
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#27. Jesus' perspective on money.
Jesus has more to say about money than almost any other topic. He sees money primarily as a spiritual force. Luke 12 offers a good summary of Jesus' attitude toward money. Jesus does not condemn all possessions.
With this in mind, Fill up. Lk 12:34.
Where your ___________ is, there your ___________ will be also.

Answer:
treasure, heart
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#28. There are 3 important insights presented in NT on money. How do you see those points?

Answer:
1. Money has no ultimate value.

a) Lk 12:13-21. In Jesus' parable, the rich fool was confident about the future. But that very night he died and he was not ready to meet God. Thus, all his wealth was worthless for eternal purposes.
b) Lk 12:22-31. Jesus reminded his deciples that God knows our needs and will meet them. So, the believer need not set his heart on things that unbelievers desire, but should seek God's Kingdom instead.

2. The love of money distorts relationships with God and others.

a) 1 Tim 6:3-10. Here Paul warns that the love of money leads to evil behavior.
b) Mt 6:24. A person cannot serve God and money, but must choose to make one or the other the highest goal in his life.(Ref Acts 5:1-5).
c) Mt 19:16-21. Here Jesus revealed that the young man had substituted confidence in his wealth for confidence in God.
d) 1 Tim 3:3; 1 Pet 5:2; Heb 13:5. An important qualification for Christian leadership is that he must be free from a love of money.
e) James 2:1-13. Because money distorts human relationships, James warned the members of the Jerusalem Church not to show favoritism toward the rich.

3. Money is to be used, not valued for itself.

a) Sripture does not suggest that it is wrong to be wealthy. In OT times wealth was seen as a divine blessing. The NT makes it clear, that money is to be valued only for what one can do with it.
b)1 Tim 6:17-19. Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
This is the point of the parable of the troublesome unjust steward,(Lk 16:1-15).
Jesus did not commend him for his dishonesty but for realizing the money is to be used to prepare for the future.

It is difficult in any age to maintain a healthy and balanced attitude toward money. If we make God rather than wealth the focus of our desires, we will find contentment and inner peace for our lives rather than engaged with the rat race in the pursuit of wealth.
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Points to ponder

According to a Pastor, money issues can be reduced to 3 Questions. Probably these are good money management tools.

1. How do you get it?(Did it involve injustice, cheating, or oppression of the poor).

2. What are you doing with it? (Are you hoarding it? Exploiting others? Wasting it on needless luxuries?)

3. What is it doing to you?
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Glossary:

1. Vassal:
1) dependent landholder in feudal society: somebody who gave loyalty and homage to a feudal lord and received the right to occupy the lord's land and be protected by him.
2) slave: a bondman or slave
3) a person, nation, or group that is dependent on or subordinate to another
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