Poverty and Wealth

Poverty and Wealth

1. What is Wealth?

   • An abundance of something, not necessarily money
     • Abundance of faith and happiness
       • Being a good person
         • Wealth of good feeling
           • Cannot be measured financially
             • Our wealth is defined by our happiness and values, not material goods
               • 'Riches in Heaven' Matthew 6:19-21
       • strong relationship with God and non-secular community
         • 'Happy are you poor; The Kingdom of God is yours!' Luke 6:20-21
           • God will offer spiritual wealth to those who are poor in terms of possessions
   • Great quantity of money or possessions
     • Countries
       • Natural resources
         • Exploited by others so country is poor
           • Ghana
           • Liberia
         • In high demand so they sell it overseas
           • Favoured by international trade
             • Politically stable
               • Taxes paid
               • Education Provided
               • Healthcare available
               • Produces individuals that are more likely to become wealthy
             • Good relations with other countries
             • USA
             • UK
           • oil in Saudi Arabia and Iraq
   • State of being rich
     • Individuals
       • Inherited
         • money passed down in the form of land or possessions by relatives
         • inheritance tax
       • 'New' money
         • Earned a large sum of money from starting or running companies , property markets or making investments
         • Celebrities
       • Consolidating wealth
         • Inherited and New Money
         • Larger the sum, the larger the tax
           • if money is in an overseas bank account, the Government cannot tax

2. In Europe and Asia, 3.5% live in poverty, in Africa it is around 38.5%

3. 1% of the world's population own 40-50% of the world's wealth

   • North-South Divide
     • North
       • 95% have food, shelter, and functioning education system
       • USA, UK, Canada and Europe
     • South
       • 5% have food and shelter
       • lacks technology (phones and internet) and political stability
       • Africa, South America and the Middle East

4. How do Christians believe they should use their money?

   • Wealth is not bad
     • but should be used appropriately
       • Should be good stewards
         • help own families and bless others
         • Catholics against gambling completely
           • Others believe it is okay as long as it does not become addictive
             • Both R.Catholic and Anglican churches leads to personal and social damage
       • not for things that are morally unacceptable
         • buying illegal drugs
         • Exploiting workers
       • Lending money with high interest rates is against teachings
         • Usury (adding interest to loans) is against Old Testament teachings
           • Some Christians believe interest is acceptable
             • But making excessive profit from it is not
     • But is a temptation
       • Mark 10:25 suggests it can be sinful and can stop people entering Heaven
         • Only giving up your wealth lets you into Heaven
           • Inner wealth is what matters
             • Fruits of the spirit
               • God values them more than Earthly riches
                 • 'No one can serve two masters... you cannot serve both God and money' Matthew 6:4
               • Joy
               • Peace
               • Self Control
               • Patience
               • Love
         • as long as it's used in the right way, you can still go to Heaven
   • to help the less fortunate
     • Charity
     • 'If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear Children, let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and truth.' 1 John 3:17-18
   • Wealth is a gift from God
     • No money is really ours
       • Stewardship
       • Share
     • Reward?
     • Resource for good works?

5. Poverty

   • Lacking essentials to live
     • Absolute poverty
       • Causes
         • Unfair trade
         • Natural disasters
     • 1.4 billion people worldwide
   • poor education and limited health care
   • Christian Responses
     • Agape
       • Time, money, practical help and prayer
         • Charity
           • CAFOD
           • Christian Aid
           • World Vision
           • Christian charities use money in accordance with beliefs
           • Some Christians prefer to help animals
             • Dogs Trust
             • Animals cannot help themselves
               • Stewardship over the Earth and animals
           • Some prefer to help charities to do with people as they are more important
             • Animals don't have souls etc.
             • Cancer Research UK
         • 'Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.' 2 Corinthians 9:7
     • Matthew 25:35, "When I was hungry..."
   • Relative poverty
     • Being poor compared with people around you
       • Causes
         • family breakdowns
         • Prejudice preventing employment
       • Poverty in the UK
         • People argue whether the UK is in poverty
           • Yes
             • more money given to third world countries than is spent in our own economy
               • Can't afford welfare state
             • People are still homeless
               • Overcrowding
                 • long waiting lists
                 • Immigration
           • No
             • Poverty is self inflicted
               • Gambling
               • Drug and alcohol addictions
             • Benefits from the Government are given out like sweets
             • access to healthcare and education
             • No streetkids
   • no say in what affects your life
   • Solutions
     • free compulsory education
     • housing built
     • more job centres
     • free adult education
     • flood barriers and house modifications for hurricanes

6. Jobs

   • Bible nor Church tells people what they can or cannot do as a job
     • People interpret teachings and think that some jobs are more acceptable morally than others
       • Stewardship
         • Duty of care for people and expression of love
           • Jobs such as doctors, nurses, teachers, vets and police officers fulfil this role
           • Jobs which exploit people and the Earth's resources are considered immoral
             • Prostitution
             • paying low wages
             • sweat shop workers
       • 'Keep the Sabbath holy'
         • Don't work on Sundays
           • Some Christians feel it is okay to work on Sundays as long as time during the day is given to worship and communicate with God
       • Psalm 139
         • Wouldn't want to work in an abortion clinic

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