Transcript Wealth and Poverty

Wealth and Poverty
Christian teachings on wealth
• Christians believe that wealth can be used for good
(charity) or for evil (buying weapons)
• In the parable of the rich man (Luke 12:13-21), Jesus
told the story of a rich man who stored extra grain. He
would not share this. He stored the grain so that he
could have a good life. However, he died before he
could enjoy that wealth.
• The Christian Church has always taught that Christians
have a duty to make money to provide for themselves
and their families. They should do this without exploiting
and usurping people’s rights.
Muslim teachings on wealth
• Islam teaches that wealth is a gift from God and
is something that should be shared.
• Islam has always taught that people should
provide for themselves and their families. They
should do this in a way that is lawful and moral.
• Islam teaches that Muslims should avoid usury
because it is a system that makes the rich, richer
and the poor, poorer. The Qur’an says that “God
has permitted trade and has forbiddon usury
(lending and borrowing at interest).”
Christianity and Stewardship
• Christianity teaches that God created the
universe and everything in it. This means that
that Christians should regard the whole of
creation as a gift from God.
• God gave man the Stewardship of the earth and
its resources (responsibility to look after so that it
can be passed onto the next generation). In the
parable of the Talents (Luke 19:11-26), Jesus
taught that God expects humans to pass on to
the next generation more than they have been
given.
Islam and Stewardship
• Islam teaches that God made Adam his
Khalifa (steward) to look after the earth for
him.
• The Prophet Muhammad said that God
made Muslims his stewards so that he
could test them.
• These teachings mean that Muslims have
to look after the earth and its resources.
Why should Christians Relieve Poverty?
• Christians believe that all humans are equal in the eyes of God, and
that all the good things of the earth have been given to humans by
God to use to help each other.
• Jesus told the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats about the good
and bad people being separated at the end of the world, just as a
shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. The good would be
sent to heaven because, as Jesus said, “When I was hungry, you
fed me …” The good people wanted to know when they had ever
done this and Jesus said. “When you did it for the least of my
brothers, you did it for me.”
• This means Christians should look after the poor.
• In the sermon of the Mount (Mathew 5-7), Jesus taught that
Christians should share their time and possessions with those in
need.
Why should Muslims relieve Poverty?
• In Islam sharing wealth is not optional, it is necessary.
All wealthy Muslims must give 2.5% of their wealth to
charity. This is known as Zakah and is one of the pillars
of Islam.
• In addition to Zakah, Muslims are also encouraged to
give Sadaqah (optional alms).
• Muslims are also encouraged to give people interest-free
loans.
• For these reasons Muslims help to relieve poverty in
LEDCs. Muslim charities like Muslim Aid and Islamic
Relief support charity work in these countries.
The Causes of World Poverty
•
Wars – Wars destroy crops, homes, schools, hospitals, etc, causing even more
poverty. They also force many people to leave their homes and become refugees in
safer countries.
•
Natural Disasters – Earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis and other natural disasters
can result in homelessness, poverty and loss of life.
•
Debt – Most LEDCs have to borrow money from International banks to develop.
These are charged at very high interest rates.
•
Unfair Trade – Trade policies mean that poor countries have to sell their crops at very
low prices.
•
AIDS/HIV – These diseases are spreading across the LEDCs. The poor cannot
afford the medication to control the diseases.
•
Other factors – Lack of education, lack of clean, fresh water, low life expectance all
result in poverty for LEDCs.
Explain why there is a need for world
development
– The United Nations made a Universal Declaration of
Human Rights in 1948. It specifies that everyone is free
and equal. Everyone has the right to a good standard
of life. Everyone has a right to education. To fulfil these
rights, everyone should be working for world
development.
– We now live in a “Global Village”. This means that the
rich countries need the poor countries to provide coffee,
copper, uranium and other important resources.
– If poor countries are left out, they may attack richer
countries.
Christian Aid
• 1) Christian Aid was set up in 1945. It was originally based in
Europe. It now works in over 50 countries around the world.
• 2) Christian Aid raises money through fundraising events. They also
receive government grants.
• 3) The charity provides ‘Emergency Aid’ to deal with emergencies
like the recent flooding in Bangladesh. They do this by sending
food, medication, blankets and other essentials to the country in
need.
• 4) The charity also offers ‘Long-term Aid’. In these projects they
provide people with the means to look after themselves. In Sudan
they taught women how to make perfumes so that they could earn a
living.