Religious Attitudes Towards Wealth Chapter Notes | Religion, Philosophy & Ethics for GCSE/IGCSE - Year 11 PDF Download

Christian Teachings on Attitudes to Wealth

Bible Teaching on Wealth

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

  • Tithing involved giving one-tenth of a believer’s annual income or produce, known as a tithe, to express gratitude to God for blessings.

  • This money was distributed to the poor.

• Some Christians continue to practice tithing today.

• The New Testament includes several teachings warning about the dangers of wealth, such as greed, selfishness, and materialism.

• Jesus cautioned against materialism, noting that an attachment to worldly possessions could overshadow one’s priorities, leading them to neglect their duty to love God and their neighbour.

• Jesus advised a rich man seeking perfection to "sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

  • When the man was unwilling, Jesus remarked, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God" (Mark 10:25).

• Jesus emphasized that spiritual wealth surpasses material wealth in importance.

• Prioritizing God over money is essential: "No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money" (Matthew 6:24).

• Paul, in his letter to Timothy, advised placing hope in God rather than wealth:

  • "For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil" (1 Timothy 6:10).

  • "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment" (1 Timothy 6:17).

Christianity and the Responsible Use of Wealth

• Christians do not view wealth as inherently wrong but believe wealthy individuals should avoid selfishness.

• Wealth should be used responsibly to aid those in need.

• The parable of the Sheep and Goats illustrates how helping the hungry, thirsty, sick, and imprisoned earns eternal rewards, as it is akin to helping Jesus himself.

• This parable encourages Christians to show compassion and care.

• The parable of the rich man and Lazarus serves as a warning, depicting a rich man who ends up in hell for failing to help the beggar Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31).

  • This story highlights the consequences of not using wealth to assist others.

• The parable of the Good Samaritan teaches Christians to care for those in need, regardless of their community, as the Samaritan helps a stranger in distress.

• The early Christian community exemplified a positive attitude toward wealth, with members selling possessions and sharing resources with the poor (Acts 4:32-35).

• Modern Christians can adopt these principles by:

  • Tithing.

  • Supporting charities like Christian Aid that work to end global poverty.

  • Donating to the church to support its mission and maintenance.

    • Caring for those with less or who are struggling.

  • Being content with what they have rather than envying those with more.

• The Ten Commandments teach against coveting or being jealous of others’ possessions.

Muslim Teachings on Attitudes to Wealth

Muslim Teachings on Wealth

• The Qur’an teaches that wealth is a gift from Allah, meant to be shared, not squandered.

• Wealth should benefit everyone, and hoarding excessive amounts is discouraged: "Tell those who hoard gold and silver instead of giving in God’s cause that they will have a grievous punishment" (Qur’an 9:34).

• Pursuing wealth can distract believers from their duties to Allah and others: "Competing for more distracts you until you go into your graves" (Qur’an 102:1-2).

• The Hadith warns against greed and selfishness: "Beware of greed for it is ready poverty" (Hadith).

Muslim Attitudes Towards Obtaining Wealth

• Wealth itself is not wrong, but it must be acquired through legitimate means, such as honest work, business, or inheritance.

• Acquiring wealth through exploitation or unethical practices is forbidden, including:

  • Fraud.

  • Gambling.

  • Deception.

  • Producing or selling alcohol.

  • Usury or profiting from lending money, including charging interest on loans.

• These actions exploit those in need and foster greed.

• The Qur’an states: "Intoxicants and gambling, idolatrous practices, and [divining with] arrows are repugnant acts - Satan’s doing - shun them so that you may prosper" (Qur’an 5:90).

• It also notes: "God blights usury, but blesses charitable deeds with multiple increase" (Qur’an 2:27).

Islam and the Responsible Use of Wealth

• Islam teaches that a husband’s primary duty is to use his income to support his family.

• Beyond this, Muslims are obligated to consider others and give to charity.

• Almsgiving, the third pillar of Islam: requires believers to donate 2.5 percent of their wealth annually to the mosque.

  • This is used to help those in need, fund education, and spread the faith.

  • This contribution purifies the remainder of an individual’s wealth.

• Many Muslims give additional voluntary donations (sadaqah), such as money, food, or clothes, to those in need.

• Muslims support charities like Islamic Relief, which aims to alleviate global poverty.

• The Qur’an instructs: "Give relatives their due, and the needy … Do not be tight-fisted" (Qur’an 17:26-30).

• Shi’a Muslims pay a 20 percent tax called khums, divided between charity and Shi’a religious leaders.

• Muslims believe that sharing their wealth will be rewarded on the Day of Judgement, as Allah sees all actions: "The righteous will receive their Lord’s gifts because of the good they did before … giving a rightful share of their wealth to the beggar and the deprived" (Qur’an 51:19).

• The Qur’an also states: "Be steadfast in prayer and regular in charity and whatever good you send forth for your souls before you.

• You shall find it with Allah: for Allah sees all that you do" (Qur’an 2:110).