Religious Attitudes Towards Wealth (AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062))

Christian teachings on attitudes to wealth

Bible teaching on wealth

• The idea of tithing was introduced in the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 14:22)

  • Tithing was the payment of one-tenth of believers’ annual earnings or produce, called a tithe, to thank God for their blessings

  • This money was shared among the poor

  • Some Christians continue the practice of tithing today

• In the New Testament, there are several teachings on the dangers associated with wealth, such as greed, selfishness and materialism

• Jesus warned about the dangers of materialism, saying that attachment to worldly goods could overtake a person’s priorities and lead them to forget their duty to love God and love their neighbour

  • Jesus told a rich man who approached him for advice on how to be perfect that he should ‘sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me’

  • When the rich man was unwilling to do so, Jesus said

• Jesus taught that spiritual wealth is more important than material wealth

  • It is important to put God first rather than money

• Paul also wrote about putting hope in God rather than wealth in his letter to Timothy

Christianity and the responsible use of wealth

• Christians do not believe that it is wrong to be wealthy but think that wealthy people should not be selfish

  • They should use their wealth responsibly to help people in need

• The parable of the Sheep and Goats gives several examples of how people can achieve eternal rewards in heaven for helping those in need on earth

  • Jesus teaches that helping the hungry, thirsty, sick, and imprisoned is like helping Jesus himself

    • This passage encourages Christians to show compassion and care

• The parable of the rich man and Lazarus is a cautionary tale in which the rich man ends up in hell for refusing to help Lazarus the beggar (Luke 16:19-31)

  • This story shows the consequences of failing to use wealth to help others

• The parable of the Good Samaritan teaches Christians to care for people in need, no matter who they are

  • The Samaritan helps a man in need, even though they were not from the same community

• The early Christian community is an example of a positive attitude to wealth.

  • Members of the early Church cared for the poor, with members selling their possessions and sharing their wealth with those in need (Acts 4:32-35)

  • Christians can live by the same principles of sharing and helping others today 

• Christians today can demonstrate a responsible attitude towards wealth by

  • Tithing

  • Supporting charities such as Christian Aid that are trying to end world poverty

  • Giving money to the church to help with its mission and upkeep

  • Looking after others who have less or who are struggling

  • Being content with what they have rather than envying others who appear to have more 

    • The Ten Commandments teach that people should not covet, or be jealous of, other people’s possessions 

Muslim teachings on attitudes to wealth

Muslim teachings on wealth

• The Qur’an teaches that wealth is a gift from Allah and must be shared, not wasted

• It should be used to benefit everyone and people should not hoard excessive amounts

• Pursuing wealth distracts a believer from their duty towards Allah and others

• The Hadith warns against greed and selfishness

Muslim attitudes towards obtaining wealth 

• Wealth is not bad in itself, but people must obtain it in the right way, such as through honest work, business or an inheritance

• No one should exploit others to obtain wealth or obtain wealth via

  • fraud

  • gambling

  • deception

  • producing or selling alcohol

  •  usury or lending money for profit, including charging interest on loans

• These actions take advantage of people who are in need and encourage greed

Islam and the responsible use of wealth

• Islam teaches that a husband’s first responsibility is to use his income to take care of his family

• After that, it is every Muslim’s duty to think of others and to give to charity

• Almsgiving - giving charity to the poorest members of society - is a key practice of the faith. This is the third pillar of Islam

  • Believers are required to give 2.5 percent of their wealth to the mosque each year

  • This is used for people in need, to educate people and help to spread the faith

  • This contribution purifies the rest of an individual’s wealth

• Many Muslims give additional sadaqah (voluntary donations of money, food or clothes) to those who need it

  • Many Muslims donate to charities such as Islamic Relief, which works to end world poverty

• Shi’a Muslims pay a 20 percent tax known as khums

  • This is split between charity and Shi’a religious leaders

• Muslims believe that they will be rewarded for sharing what they have with others on the Day of Judgement because Allah sees all that they do