Wealth
Social Justice
content
Big Idea
All religions teach that wealth is not wrong in itself, but attitudes towards it and how it is used are what matter. Here are some general points:
Religions teach that greed is wrong (i.e., it is wrong to want money too much).
Your spiritual life (with a focus on God) is more important than seeking wealth.
Money should be used responsibly (i.e., you must think about the impact of spending your wealth on others). This links to the concept of stewardship - looking after others and the planet.
It should benefit others, not just oneself (i.e., giving some of your wealth to charity is a good thing).
Big Idea
All religions teach that wealth is not wrong in itself, but attitudes towards it and how it is used are what matter. Here are some general points:
Religions teach that greed is wrong (i.e., it is wrong to want money too much).
Your spiritual life (with a focus on God) is more important than seeking wealth.
Money should be used responsibly (i.e., you must think about the impact of spending your wealth on others). This links to the concept of stewardship - looking after others and the planet.
It should benefit others, not just oneself (i.e., giving some of your wealth to charity is a good thing).
Key words
Greed - A selfish desire for too much wealth or money, seen as morally wrong in many religions.
Stewardship - he belief that humans are caretakers of wealth given by God (especially in Islam), and must use it responsibly.
Right Livelihood - A Buddhist teaching that money should be earned in a moral and ethical way, without causing harm.
Tithing - Giving a portion (usually 10%) of one’s income to support the Church or religious community (Christianity).
Tzedakah - A Jewish duty to give money to those in need, often including giving 10% of one’s income.
Zakat - An obligatory form of charity in Islam where Muslims give a fixed percentage of their wealth to help the poor.
Christianity
Attitudes to wealth
Christianity teaches that although wealth can be seen as a gift from God, it can pose a threat to your spiritual well-being. In other words, if you spend too much time accumulating money, you risk losing focus on God and the truly good things in life. St Paul taught,
‘For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.’ (1 Timothy 6:10)
In several passages, we can see Jesus teach that the rich need to give away their wealth in order to enter into Heaven.
‘It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter heaven’ (Matthew 19:24)
And here:
‘Do not store up treasures on earth... but store up for yourself treasures in heaven.’ (Matthew 6:19)
In other words it is more than impossible for someone with wealth to get into Heaven - so Christians should ensure that they put God first:
‘No one can serve two masters...you cannot serve both God and money’ (Matthew 6:24)
Uses of wealth
Jesus taught that wealth should be given away to help the poor rather than hoarded. This is a consequence of the Greatest Commandment:
‘Love your neighbour as you love yourself’
Some Christians donate 10% of their income as a tithe to support their church.
Jesus also taught people to pay theor taxes:
‘Pay to Caesar what is Caesar’s, pay to God what is God’s.’ (Matthew 22:21)
Judaism
Attitudes to wealth
Judaism teaches that wealth can be seen as a blessing from God (in other words a good thing that God allows you to have),
‘Wealth and honour come from you...we have given you only what comes from your hand’ (1 Chronicles 29:12&14)
However a good life is one that has God at its centre, not money. And someone who pursues wealth through greed and a desire simply for the material things in life has no room for God.
Uses of wealth
A Jew should use wealth:
To support their family
To support those in need through charity (Tzedakah),
To give away 10% of their wealth each year.
‘You shall set aside every year a tenth part of all yield of your sowing that is brought from the field’ (Deuteronomy 8:18)
Islam
Attitudes to wealth
Islam teaches that wealth is a gift from Allah, and one that is to be looked after - humans are seen as stewards (caretakers) of what Allah has provided. There are many teachings in the Qur’an that warn against greed as it will lead people away from Allah. There are teachings that prohibit gambling and fraud, which are often caused by an out of control desire for wealth.
‘Beware of greed for it is ready poverty’ (Hadith)
Uses of wealth
Islam teaches that on Judgement Day, Allah will ask people how they used their wealth. If a person has used it well, then they will rewarded, but if they have hoarded it, they will be punished.
‘Tell those who hoard gold and silver instead of giving in God’s name that they will have a grievous punishment.’ (Qur’an 9:34) /
Good uses of wealth include giving to charity (E.g., Zakat - one of the five pillars). This is an example of stewardship - a Muslim's responsibility to help others and the world.
Hinduism
Attitudes to wealth
Hinduism teaches that wealth in itself is not a bad thing, but it can be put to good or bad uses. It should not be hoarded, as greed and a focus on accumulating wealth distracts from focus on a good spiritual life.
‘If someone keeps all that he accumulates for himself and does not give it to others, the hoarded wealth will eventually prove to be the cause of ruin.’ (Atharva Veda 3:25)
Some Hindus reject a material life altogether, by giving away all their possessions, and focusing on a life of meditation (they are called sannyasin).
Uses of wealth
Hinduism teaches that wealth should be used to improve the lives of others (or else it will contribute towards bad karma.
Sikhism
Attitudes to wealth
Sikhism teaches that being wealthy is a sign of God’s blessing because a wealthy person is able to help the poor and needy. However Guru Nanak taught that hoarding wealth can only be done sinfully, and that greed only gets in the way of your relationship with God.
‘The greedy mind is enticed by greed. Forgetting the Lord, it regrets and repents in the end.’ (Guru Granth Sahib 1172)
Uses of wealth
Sikhs are taught to give away any least 10% of their wealth to charity.
‘One who lives by earning through hard work, then gives some of it away to charity, knows the way to God’ (Guru Gobind Singh)
By doing this, a Skih shows their commitment to sea (service for others).
Buddhism
Attitudes to wealth
Buddhism teaches that suffering is caused by craving, and wanting money and wealth is an example of this.
‘Riches ruin the foolish... through craving for riches, the foolish one ruins himself’ (Dhammapada),
However, being wealthy is not itself bad, provided that the money has been earned in the right way - in accordance with the Eightfold Path (for example, right livelihood and right action).
Uses of wealth
Buddhists are taught that wealth should be used to relieve the suffering of others, and to support monks and nuns. By giving away wealth, good karma is earned, which helps you move towards enlightenment.