Wealth and Poverty

1
Wealth and Poverty

• Biblical views

2
In the Old Testament.

• Christianity has received many of its views on
  how to treat the poor from Old Testament Judaism.
• Generally the message is that the poor should be
  treated well.
• Some key evidence of this view

3
Creation (Genesis Ch 1)

• All people are created in the image of God
  (Imago Dei)
• Power is given to people over the rest of
  creation, but not over each other

4
Slavery in Egypt

• The story of the Hebrews (Jews) being slaves in
  Egypt is an important part of Jewish tradition.
  It forms the basis of the Passover festival.
• As a result, Jews have always been sympathetic to
  those who are not well off or who need help.

5
Gods law suggests that the poor should be
treated well

• Deuteronomy 2414-22 instructs Jews as to how
  they should behave towards the needy.
• Exodus 208-11 one of the Ten Commandments is an
  instruction to keep the sabbath day holy this
  means not making your servants work to give them
  a break
• Isaiah 586-10 suggests that being religious is
  not just about what you believe, it is also about
  what you do

6
In the New Testament

• Christians have inherited the Jewish teaching of
  the Old Testament this is what was familiar in
  Jesus time.
• However, many of Jesus contemporaries believed
  that wealth was a sign of Gods blessing.
• Some assumed that because they were well off and
  performed their religious duties such as praying
  and fasting they would be assured a place in
  heaven.

7
Jesus teaching was more than a little shocking
for some

• Mark 1017-22
• The rich man asks what he must do to receive
  eternal life.
• What was he told to do?
• Why would this be hard for him?

8
The story of the rich man and Lazarus

• Luke 1619-31
• What is the message of this parable?
• Do you think it if fair?

9
Jesus teaching on wealth

• Matthew 619-24
• What is the message here?
• Why is it impossible to serve two masters?

10
Jesus identifies with the poor

• Matthew 2531-46
• What is the teaching here?
• How might Christians put this into practice in
  the twenty-first century?