Describe, compare and contrast the economic visions of Matthew, Luke/Acts, the Qumran sectarians (1QS) and the early second century Christian composition, The Didache. What would be the most striking differences between the four communities?
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Community Rule (1QS)
6:13 If anyone of Israel volunteers 14 for
enrollment in the society of the Yahad, the man appointed
as leader of the general membership shall examine him regarding
his understanding and works. If he has the potential for instruction,
he is to begin initiation 15 into the Covenant, returning
to the truth and repenting of all perversity. He shall be made
to understand all the basic precepts of the Yahad. Subsequently
in the process, he must stand before the general membership and
the whole chapter shall interrogate him 16 about his particulars.
According to the decision of the society of the general membership,
he shall either proceed or depart.
If he does proceed in joining the society of the Yahad,
he must not touch the pure food 17 of the general membership
before they have examined him as to his spiritual fitness and
works, and not before a full year has passed. Further, he must
not yet admix his property with that of the general membership.
18 When he has passed a full year in the Yahad,
the general membership shall inquire into the details of his understanding
and works of the Law. If it be ordained, 19 in the opinion
of the priests and the majority of the men of their Covenant,
then he shall be initiated further into the secret teaching of
the Yahad. They shall also take steps to incorporate his
property, putting it under the authority of the 20 Overseer
together with that of the general membership, and keeping an account
of it--but it shall not yet be disbursed along with that of the
general membership.
The initiate is not to touch the drink of the general membership
prior to 21 passing a second year among the men of the
Yahad. When that second year has passed, the general membership
shall review his case. If it be ordained 22 for him to
proceed to full membership in the Yahad, they shall enroll
him at the appropriate rank among his brothers for discussion
of the Law, jurisprudence, participation in pure meals, and admixture
of property. Thenceforth the Yahad may draw upon his counsel
and 23 judgment.
7:5-8 Whoever speaks with his companion deceitfully or knowingly practices fraud is to be punished by reduced rations for six months.If a man is 6 drawn unawares into a fraudulent scheme by his comrade, then he is to be punished by reduced rations for only three months. If money belongins to the Yahad is involved in a fraudulent sheme and lost, the man responsible must repay the sum 7 from his own funds. 8 If he lacks suffcient resources to repay it, then he is to suffer reduced rations for sixty days. Whoever nurses a grudge against his companion--in blatant disregard of the Yahad statute about reproof on the selfsame day--is to be punished by reduced rations for six months.
The Didache
1:4 "Abstain from carnal" and bodily "lusts." "If any man smite thee on the right cheek, turn to him the other cheek also," and thou wilt be perfect. "If any man impress thee to go with him one mile, go with him two. If any man take thy coat, give him thy shirt also. If any man will take from thee what is thine, refuse it not"--not even if thou canst. 5 Give to everyone that asks thee, and do not refuse, for the Father's will is that we give to all from the gifts we have received. Blessed is he that gives according to the mandate; for he is innocent. Woe to him who receives; for if any man receive alms under pressure of need he is innocent; but he who receives it without need shall be tried as to why he took and for what, and being in prison he shall be examined as to his deeds, and "he shall not come out thence until he pay the last farthing." 6 But concerning this it was also said, "Let thine alms sweat into thine hands until thou knowest to whom thou art giving."
11:3 And concering
the Apostles and Prophets, act thus according to the ordinance
of the Gospel. 4 Let every Apostle who comes to you be received
as the Lord, 5 but let him not stay more than one day,
or if need be a second as well; but if he stay three days, he
is a false prophet. 6 And when an Apostle goes forth let
him accept nothing but bread till he reach his night's lodging;
but if he asks for money, he is a false prophet.
9 And no prophet who orders a meal in a spirit shall eat
of it: otherwise he is a false prophet.
12 But whosover shall say in a spirit 'Give me money, or
something else,' you shall not listen to him; but if he tell you
to give on behalf of others in want, let none judge him.
12:2 If he who comes is a traveller, help him as much as
you can, but he shall not remain with you more than two days,
or, if need be, three. 3 And if he wishes to settle among
you and has a craft, let him work for his bread. 4 But
if he has no craft provide for him according to your understanding,
so that no man shall live among you in idleness because he is
a Christian. 5 But if he will not do so, he is making traffic
of Christ; beware of such.