Christian Teachings and the Teachings of One Other Religion on Wealth and Poverty: Christianity and Judaism GCSE Coursework A*

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'Christians believe that wealth is something which can be used for good or evil, and so, in itself, is not a bad thing. Christians can only gain money in lawful and moral ways and when they have wealth, it is a gift from God not theirs alone. Many biblical teachings show that if you have the wrong attitude to money, wealth can lead you away from God.' (Religion and Life, Victor W Watton, pg 99)

When Christians say that money should not be gained in unlawful ways, they mean not through prostitution or drugs, but through hard work. The money then gained in the right way, can be use in many ways to help others, such as by giving to charity or to lesser-developed countries. It is the Christians responsibility to help the needy, may it be through money or time, 'Faith and Action'. Also, the story of the good Samaritan, Jesus showed that the commandment to Christians is to love their neighbour, whether they be far away or near, rice or poor, to love them like you love God.

'God blesses those who come to the aid of the poor and rebukes those who turn away from them...Love for the poor is incompatible with immoderate use of riches or their selfish use.' (Catechism of the Catholic Church)

When people take the wrong attitude to money, they can be lead away from God, as it can lead to immoral acts such as selfishness. Therefore, it suggests that God should be put above everything else, in Matthew 6:24, it says that a person cannot serve two masters in the same way that Christians cannot serve both God and money, and so therefore have to make a decision.

'People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap...