Christian and Islam views on Wealth and Poverty

        All of the Christian churches today follow the teachings of the New Testament. All Christians including Roman Catholic, Methodist and the Church of England claim it is their duty to help people in need, whether in Britain or abroad, because everyone is their neighbor. The Bible teaches us that money can be a good thing. ‘The world and all that is in it belongs to the lord.’ This means that God has called people to manage money wisely for him.

        Muslims are encouraged to earn their own money, but are also told to give it to the poor. Muslims share their money because of Zakah one of the 5 pillars. This is a tax to help the poor. The Zakah is made up of 2.5% of a Muslim’s earnings that must be paid to charity. Muslims believe that if they give to the poor they are purifying the rest of their wealth to use as they like. They believe all money comes from God and they should be generous, as God has been generous to them. Mohammed said ‘He is not a believer who takes his fill while his neighbor starves.’ This tells us if you don’t give to the poor then you should not be a Muslim. There are Muslim Charities such as Muslim Aid and Islamic Relief and many mosques in Britain that help poor Muslims in Britain and overseas.