Another extremely important factor is that wealth needs to be obtained in a certain way following the rules of the bible. Most people in the bible are condemned for the way they made the money rather than being punished for the money itself. When it comes to business Christians must make sure how they make their money. They need to make sure it does not hurt other people. Many Christian scholars say that that the Christian community should not work in the arms trade or the pornography and prostitution trade. Many people say that Christian doctors should not take part in procedures such as euthanasia and abortion.
Christians should be concerned about the effect money can have on someone’s life. Wealth often tempts us to forget about god and may lead us away from the lifestyle we had without the wealth. Wealthy believers may not look to god for help because they feel that every thing can be bought with their money. In Jeremiah 9:23 it warns that wealth often leads to pride and arrogance because of the fact that you have more money than most other people may make someone feel they are better and superior to the poor or the not as rich.
In the bible it says that Christians who are wealthy should help less privileged Christians in poverty. It says this in Matthew 25:35-36 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. This means that a Christians attitude toward poverty should be that if they have more money than they need then they should give as much as they can to the poor after providing bare necessities for themselves. The bible encourages for people to live very simple lifestyles although this can prove very hard in the modern day lifestyle and the western mentality. Christians believe that god gave humans stewardship of the earth and its resources. In relation to relieving poverty this means that everyone should be equal and basic resources of the earth should not be sold and traded which is the main cause of poverty (globalization) this is a very communistic idea.
In conclusion it is fair to say that the bible promotes the fact simple lifestyles and excess money to be given to the poor and the bible also gives the idea of everybody being equal in some cases this can be interpreted as communist ideas.
PART Ai - MUSLIM TEACHINGS ON WEALTH AND POVERTY
Islam teaches that wealth is something that is blessed by god for the benefit of humanity and is to be shared. Islam teaches that Muslims have a duty to provide for themselves and their families. Nevertheless Muslims should only make money in lawful and moral ways. Muslims should not be involved in businesses that have anything to do with gambling alcohol nor with businesses that exploit people such as the sex or pornography trade. When working under the influence of an employer they should work fairly and honestly when Muslims run a self managed business they should not be involved with the charging of interest they should also treat employers as they would like to be treated and they should never try to cheat customers. As a Muslim, there are many responsibilities they have to undertake the one in their lifetime. Muslims believe that god made Adam, as his khalifa (steward) to look after the earth for him. This means that Muslims have to look after their environment and they also have to look after the people of the earth. This means that things should be shared out fairly which is a communist idea. This is very important to Muslims, as they believe that on judgement day god is going to judge them on how well they have performed as stewards. One of these major responsibilities is management of ones wealth. Like in Christianity wealth can be both beneficial and help that person or it can be detrimental. This depends on the following 4 factors:
The intention is of great importance in Islam. Everything someone does depends on their intention and what they set out to do in the first place which is totally between the Muslim and Allah. Muslims believe no one knows why that person is doing something only that person and Allah. Muslims believe they are rewarded on everyday things if they have the intention to please Allah.
Wealth has to be obtained in an permissible way (halal) this means it is not generated from prohibited business activities such as manufacturing selling or consuming goods such as alcohol pork or Islam also disallows gambling in any form and pornography and adult orientated material are also prohibited and interest and businesses based on interest are disallowed.
Spending money is also a responsibility of every Muslim. Money should not be spent on prohibited products and services. Nor should money be spent to show off wealth, or spent in vain.
Every wealth has a share that is dedicated to Allah, by paying the Zakat (Charity) which is one of the five pillars of Islam to the poor and other charitable actions. In Islam this is not an optional extra in Arabic zakah means purification and Muslims believe giving zakah purifies the money they have left so no harm can be done to it. There is a hadith (teaching) that says “protect your property by giving zakah and help your relatives to recover from disease by giving to charity” Muslims pay zakah annually by giving 2.5 percent of their savings they also pay a special zakah to the poor on the festival of id-ul’fit’r.
Islam encourages Muslims to seek wealth and power because they are necessary for decent living of human kind it says this in 17:70. We have honoured the sons of Adam; provided them with transport on land and sea; given them for sustenance things good and pure; and conferred on them special favours, above a great part of our creation
A teaching about wealth and poverty says:
It was a usual meeting. The Prophet (S.A.W.) was in his place and his companions gathered around him to hear the words of wisdom and guidance. Suddenly a poor man in rags appeared, saluted the assembly:
"Salamun Alaikum" (Peace be on you)
And finding a vacant place, comfortably sat down.
The Prophet (S.A.W.) had taught them that all Muslims were brothers and in an assembly one should sit wherever one finds a place, regardless of any status. Now, it so happened that this poor man was seated next to a very rich man. The rich man felt very disturbed and tried to collect the edges of his dress around himself, so that the poor man didn't touch them. The Prophet (S.A.W.) observed this and addressing the rich man he said:
“Perhaps you are afraid that his poverty would affect you?"
“No, O Messenger of Allah," he said.
"Then perhaps you were apprehensive about some of your wealth flying away to him?"
“No, O Messenger of Allah."
"Or you feared that your clothes would become dirty if he touched them?"
“No, O Messenger of Allah."
“Then why did you draw yourself and your clothes away from him?"
The rich man said:
"I admit that was the most undesirable thing to do. It was an error and I confess my guilt. Now to make amends for it I will give away half of my wealth to this Muslim brother so that I may be forgiven."
Just as he said this, the poor man rose and said,
“O Prophet of Allah, I do not accept this offer."
People present were taken by surprise, they thought that the poor man was a fool, but then he explained:
“O Prophet of Allah, I refuse to accept this offer because I fear that I might then become arrogant and treat my Muslim brothers the way he did to me."
I think that this is a good teaching that defines most Muslim attitudes towards wealth it basically means that in Islam wealth is thought of as nothing compared to being good to god and following gods commandments in Islam life is thought of as a test and we are judged in the end and if we have passed we go to heaven. Muslims are expected to give a percentage of their earnings to charity.
