Gold, silver and copper

Yesterday, was reading Matthew 10:9,

Do not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts... (NASB) - the version i read
Don't think you have to put on a fund-raising campaign before you start (The Message)
Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses (King James)
Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts (NEW King James)
Don’t take any money in your money belts—no gold, silver, or even copper coins (New Living)

At first, I was intrigued, because Gold and Silver are precious metals, and understander-bly used as a medium of currency/buying. But behold, copper is categorized as quite precious too. I am learning alot about copper in my job and that caught my attention.

As I search on more of the different versions, look at King James that says "brass". Brass is an alloy that contains copper and zinc. Then i wonder would it be that the root word bears the same meaning for both copper and brass?

While copper is fetching very high prices now, it was not much of a precious metal during the olden days, although being one of the oldest trades of mankind. So naturally i thought of it being a medium of exchange that represents value comparable to gold and silver, so the only thing that can do that is to validate it as currency. while looking at the New Living translation, it states "copper coins".

Matthew is a "publician", or tax collector, as he penned down his own occupation as. He is well-versed with money. So shouldn't be any error there. If you read other gospels, there's mention of the bags and belts (Mat 10:9b), while no mention of money. A little occupational hazard there.

I like the Message version, do not go on a fund raising campaign. Food for thought isn't it, for us to go out there like "sheeps among wolves", with no financial support at all, no extra 2 coats, no bags (prob to carry food and coat, water bottle even), no belts (to carry money), no staff (defensive weapon maybe). Basically, nothing. Doing the Lord's work starting with nothing at all. However, without any of these sorts, we are still required to be "shrewd as a serpent and gentle as dove".

In investment, its always high-risk, high-reward; low-risk, low-reward. In this endeavor, we start with nothing, we end with nothing (of this world), naked we come from the womb, naked we depart, as travellers. But we gain treasures in store for us in heaven. A rather good investment proposition there, wouldn't you think so?