Jesus said, "The one who has become wealthy should reign, and the one who has power should renounce (it)."(81 Thomas)

In the synoptic gospels Jesus warns of wealth. Here he seems to endorse it.

Even if we transform the worldly into the spiritual, why should the spiritually wealthy reign while the spiritually powerful give up authority?

One scholarly source comments, "This paradoxical saying is a puzzle to interpreters of the Gospel of Thomas."

The saying is usually treated as two verses, the first dealing with wealth and the second dealing with power.

What if, instead, we read it as a single sequence? It helps the sequence to know that wealth was understood as the result of street-smarts or worldly wisdom.

So, perhaps... Let the one who is wealthy have political authority in the world, but once assuming power may he become wise enough to renounce power.

Let us understand the world, let us know what is required for success in the world. May we use this wisdom to better understand our self and the world.

Self-knowledge is the foundation of power. The one who exercises self-control will, almost certainly, gain authority over others.

But worldly wisdom, self-knowledge, and authority are only milestones on the path. The pilgrim will renounce each as the journey continues toward the wholeness of God's intention.