Although artisans had far less income than the wealthy (who made up perhaps 1 percent of the ancient population), they were not among the roughly 90 percent of the ancient population we may call peasants either (popular jokes about low-class disciples "mending their nets" aside-the expression can mean preparing their nets-v. 21). Family businesses like these were especially profitable. Even if disciples followed Jesus only during certain seasons of the year, they could not easily return to abandoned businesses.

The disciples thus paid a price economically to follow Jesus. Jewish people told stories of pagans' relinquishing their wealth on converting to Judaism (Sipre Num. 115.5.7), and Greek philosophers told stories of converts to philosophy who abandoned wealth to become disciples (Diog. Laert. 6.5.87; Diogenes Ep. 38). These stories demonstrate not only the relative worthlessness of possessions but also the incomparable value of what the converts gained. The kingdom is like a precious treasure, worth the abandonment of all other treasures (Mt 13:44-46). Many of us today respond defensively, "I would abandon everything if Jesus asked me to, but he has not asked me to." Yet if we value the priorities of the kingdom-people and proclamation more than possessions-I wonder whether Jesus is not speaking to us through the world's need for the gospel and daily bread. Let the one who has ears to hear, hear.