Wealth and poverty

Wealth and poverty

1. Key concepts

   • Justice: All people should be treated fairly
   • Stewardship: people were put on earth to take care of God's work
   • Compassion: people should care for others and show compassion

2. Parables

   • Rich man and Lazarus: Rich man didn't go to heaven because he didn't show compassion to the beggar
     • Show compassion or you won't go to heaven
   • Sheep and Goats: God will split those who helped others and those who didn't on Judgement day like shepherds split sheep and goats
     • If you refuse to help others, you refuse to help God

3. Jesus spent time helping the needy: healed the sick and fed the 5000

4. Early Christians sold their stuff and shared everything with the poor and needy

5. Tithing: giving 10% of your income to those in need

   • Missionaries: People that give practical help as well as the message of Jesus
     • Fairtrade: Products that ensure the producer earned a fair wage
       • Charities : Agencies that support people in need

6. Moral Occupations: Jobs that don't harm others: e.g. doctor, teacher, vet, firefighter

7. Immoral occupations: Jobs that exploit God's creation: e.g. prostituation, weapons trade, sunday worker, gambler