Biblical teaching on wealth
Christianity teaches that there is nothing wrong with wealth in itself. What is wrong is desiring or craving wealth. The faith teaches that wealth should be used to help others who are less fortunate. There are many teachings in the Bible about how wealth can lead to greed, so many Christians try to ensure that they do not let wealth and greediness get in the way of their religion and always put God first.
Acquisition of wealth
Christianity teaches that the way that wealth is acquired is also important, and many Christians do not agree with acquiring wealth through gambling or lottery winnings, as this can encourage greed. Some Christian denominations, such as Quakers, completely refuse to take part in gambling.
Jesus taught about wealth and what wealthy people should do with it.
When a rich man asks Jesus how he can enter the Kingdom of Heaven, stating that he already follows the commandments, Jesus tells him to give up all his wealth:
...it is much harder for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God than for a camel to go through the eye of a needle.
Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus
In the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, Jesus tells his followers about a wealthy man who lives surrounded by great luxuries. Outside his front gate lived a poor beggar called Lazarus. The beggar had nothing, but the rich man took no notice of him. When both the rich man and Lazarus died Jesus taught that Lazarus went to Heaven and the rich man went to Hell.
While in Hell, the rich man asks Abraham to cool his tongue with a drop of water. Abraham refuses, in the same way that the rich man did nothing to help Lazarus. The rich man also asks if he can be sent back to Earth and warn his brothers to repent, so they would not be sent to Hell like him. Once again this request is declined, as his brothers have the prophets to listen to.
Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.
This parable sends the message that worldlyRelating to an ordinary and physical existence in this world, rather than spiritual matters. and earthly possessions have no impact on the afterlife, and that riches don’t automatically secure a place in Heaven. What an individual does with their money and wealth is the important point. Those people who have suffered on Earth will receive their reward in Heaven.
Widow’s offering
In the story of the widow’s offering, Jesus makes it clear that it is not the amount of money or wealth that people donate and give away, but rather the value of the money given away. The widow gave all she had, which meant more than the huge amounts that the rich men had given.
Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything – all she had to live on.
Question
Explain the Christian teachings on wealth.
Christianity teaches that wealth is not a bad thing as long as it is acquired in a lawful way, for example through work. Many Christian denominations, such as Quakers, do not agree with acquiring wealth through means such as gambling, as this can cause greed. The Bible teaches that Christians should use their wealth to help others. This is seen in examples, such as The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, when the rich man does not help others in need and goes to Hell as a result. There are many examples of Jesus helping others in the Bible, and many Christians try to follow this example by giving money to charity or doing volunteer work.
