There are three famous people named Joseph in Scripture. In the Old Testament, one endured hostility and wound up a governor in Egypt. The second is Christ’s earthly father, husband to Mary. Then there is  Joseph of Arimathea- a rich man who gets a mere mention, almost in passing, as his deeds fulfilled ancient prophecy. 

 

We may not know much about Joseph of Arimathea but we can learn a few things from him.

 

1. Wealth attracts favour 

 

Imagine going to the man who had issued an execution order and asking him to give you the body of the executed. In case you are wondering, that was Pilate. Joseph of Arimathea got the right to take down Jesus’ body from the cross due to the influence of his wealth. Otherwise, his request would have fallen on deaf ears or worse, no ears.

 

2. Wealth breeds generosity

 

Joseph of Arimathea had hewn a nice burial place from a rock for himself, only to give it up for someone else. His generosity fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy and earned him a mark in history for offering his tomb to Christ.

 

3. Wealth demands planning for the inevitable

 

This life is transient. Having been born with nothing, we carry nothing upon leaving this world. Job realised that and lived intentionally despite the divine calamity that struck him. King Solomon in Ecclesiastes acknowledged that man is bound to die and leave all their wealth to others who might as well squander it. Joseph of Arimathea planned for his exit. He knew he would soon follow the way of all men before him and prepared an expensive tomb for himself. 

 

What does wealth mean to you? Is it meant to bring out the hedonistic tendencies of our day and age or is it meant to be a blessing to others? Is it a means to an end or an end in itself? Someday your life will hit an indefinite pause. What will become of your amassed wealth remains unknown.