According to The Infographic Bible by Karen Sawrey, money is the fourth most-frequently preached on topic of Jesus’ teaching [p148-151]. The top three being the kingdom of God, the Father, and faith.
Each of these sketches was inspired by a specific event or parable in Matthew’s gospel but they all give a slant on contemporary money issues — from the cost of living and price gouging, to ‘get rich quick’ schemes and public giving.
They’re short, between 850 and 2,000 words each. Some are satires, others dramas. The characters show humanity at both its best and its worst.
The sketches are linked below in the order I wrote them, but if performed together, I would suggest the following running order:
- The Apocalypse of price gouging (the clearing of the temple: Mt 21:12–13)
- Wealth managers outraged by ‘deceitful’ slur (the parable of the sower: Mt 13:1–23)
- Every influencer’s worst nightmare (Jesus’ teaching on serving God and money: Mt 6:24)
- The Miracle Method (Jesus sends out the twelve: Mt 5:5–15)
- Putting God before grifters (Jesus’ teaching on the ‘commandments of men’: Mt 15:1–12)
- The Silent Finance Awards (Jesus’ teaching on almsgiving: Mt 6:1–4)
- The Sacrifice of Inheritance (the rich young ruler: Mt 19:16–30)
- The Three Wise Wives (the wise men from the East: Mt 2)
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Photo by Hal Gatewood on Unsplash
- Wealth managers outraged by “deceitful” slur (a satire based on the parable of the sower)
On the surface, it sounded like an investment advert ‘Your capital is risk,’ followed by, ‘You can reap big rewards!’ But an inside source has revealed the true intent behind this short story. - Jesus is every influencer’s worst nightmare! (a satire based on Matthew 6:24)
Today I need to rant about what Jesus said to the Golden Talent Agency when they offered to represent him. Seriously, you couldn’t make it up. - Putting God before grifters in your household budget (a satire based on Matthew 15:1–12)
Today I have with me financial, legal and religious expert, Jacob Fleece, to give us his insights on household budgets. - Offering and Greed: The Apocalypse of Price Gouging (a satire based on Matthew 21:12–13)
MARK: Imagine if someone put a sign outside the temple, “We are excited to announce that all sacrifices are free now”? - The Three Wise Wives (a short drama based on Matthew 2)
CASSANDANE: Supposing this baby boy has been born, what are they going to find? Some doting father who says, “Look at my handsome first-born son? Doesn’t he take after me?” - Jesus sends out the twelve: ‘The Miracle Method’ (a satire based on Matthew 5:5–15)
EZRA: I could make you very, very rich. And I’m willing to bet, that’s the one thing this Jesus fella has never promised you. - The rich young ruler: ‘The Sacrifice of Inheritance’ (a drama based on Matthew 19:16–30)
MATTHEW: I think it’s very easy to think of something as righteous, if it means you can generate wealth and pass it on to your children. - On giving to the poor: ‘The Silent Finance Awards’ (a comedy based on Matthew 6:1–4)
DEREK: But the thing about money is that if you make a big deal about it, you’re kind of defeating the point.
