Outline the Christian Teaching and the teaching of one other religion on wealth and poverty.

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RE Coursework - Wealth and Poverty

a)

  1. Outline the Christian Teaching and the teaching of one other religion on wealth and poverty

Christians general belief is that wealth can be used for both good and for evil and is therefore not an entirely bad thing. They believe wealth is a gift from God, which can only be achieved in lawful and moral ways. Many biblical teachings show that if you have the wrong attitude to money then it can lead you away from God. Jesus once told a parable about the end of the world when all would be judged. Christians believe that they must share their wealth with the poor.

“People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” -  1 Timothy 6:9-10

According to the new testament our riches must be used for the help of others, especially the poor. Christians believe that all humans are equal in the eyes of god and that all the good things given to us on Earth by God have to be used to help each other.

“If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth.  - 1 John 3:17,18

Judaism has a similar belief to Christianity as they believe it is a gift from God and is to be used for both yourself and others. In the tenakh is states that Jews may only make money in a way that keeps the mitzvot.

           Jews are expected to give one tenth of their earnings to the poor. This is known as Tzedakah, this is often translated as meaning charity but in fact means correctness - by giving to the poor you are doing what is right and using money correctly and putting the poor back in their correct position. Several Jews follow the teachings of Maiminodes on giving charity, and that the best form of charity is one that makes sure the poor will not need any more charity.

The Talmud states that Rabbi Eleazar used to give a coin to a poor man and then say his prayers because it is written, ‘I in righteousness shall behold thy face’ This is the basis for the custom of the charity box in the synagogue. During the week before each service, each person has an opportunity to train themselves to live and let live by dropping some money in to the box for charity. In the home a Jewish family is given the same opportunity through a charity box. During festivals, or particular times of celebration, it is customary to put money in the box in gratitude to God.

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ii) Explain why there is a need for world development

The united Kingdom has one of the highest rates of child poverty in Europe at approximately 4 million children. Almost 40% of the world's population are children, poverty is the biggest threat to a child’s life. Poverty takes a child’s life every 3 seconds. That means everyday poverty kills at least 30,000 lives. Such a largely effected number of children means millions miss out on education, healthcare and therefore the chance of a better life. An astonishing fact is that the worlds three richest businessmen have more money ...

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