Explain what Christians believe about their responsibility for other people.

 Jesus taught Christians many things, all of which inspire Christians today. He taught that you must not put your trust in riches but give to the poor and needy. The story of the Rich Young Man (Mark 10vv 17- 22) who trusted in his riches too much and therefore went to hell is a good example. Christians learn from this that it is important to give money too the less fortunate. They also learn that money should not be put before helping other people and following the Christian belief so therefore feel they have a huge responsibility towards sharing with other people. Sharing is a big part of the Christian belief and Christians can look back to the early church were everything that they owned was put together and shared out equally. Barnabus sold a field he owned and shared the profit that he made with all the other Christians. Today Christians can not afford to share all their money out with the poor people in the world but they can share reasonable amounts with them.

Christians feel that helping the poor and needy is what God wants and is needed they want to go to heaven. The story of the Sheep and Goats tells us how the people are divided and the ones who give to the needy went to heaven and the others to hell. This story explains how people all need to help each other if they are to go to heaven and because of this Christians feel that it is necessary to give to the needy in order to become a true Christian and go to heaven.  

Jesus style of teaching was called agape. Agape is a kind of generous caring love carried out by Jesus and Christians today. A famous person who used agape was Martin Luther King. His teachings were of forgiveness, just like Jesus’, and taught not to hate your enemies but to love and forgive them. Christians are taught to “Love thy neighbour.”  Also they are taught that everyone is their neighbour. This means they should love everybody. Not sexually but just caring and generosity. The parable of the Good Samaritan shows this point well.

The teachings and actions of the Early Church show a good example too Christians today of how they should help others. They used to put all of their money together and share it out equally, one of them called Barnabus sold a field and shared the money. To Christians today that might be a bad idea. But if they put all of their love and generosity together they could help many people in need and help them get their lives together and sort themselves out. If generosity like this was carried out there would be no one in need and this world would be pleasant to live in.

Christians believe they have a big responsibility towards others because Jesus set a good example in helping people in need and outcasts. Christians feel that they must keep the good and caring reputation of Jesus going so carry on today helping the less fortunate.