What does Catholicism teach about wealth and poverty?
Catholicism teaches that there is nothing wrong with wealth in itself. What is wrong is desiring or craving wealth. In 1 TimothyOne of the letters ascribed to St Paul, and included in the New Testament of the Bible., it states:
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil...
Many Catholics believe people should use their wealth to help those who have less than they have. Humans have a duty to help each other as all are members of a globalRelating to the whole world. family.
Stewardship
In GenesisThe first book of the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible) describing the origins of humanity and humans’ relationship with God., God gives human beings special responsibility for creationThe act of bringing something into existence. In religion, this refers to the creation of the world by God. - man is to cultivate it, guard it and use it wisely and justly. God gives Adam, the first man to be created, the responsibility of looking after the garden he created for Adam to live in.
In Genesis 9:3, God tells humanity:
Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything.
This passage means that the wealth of the Earth is for everyone to enjoy, not just Adam.
Many Catholics believe that God does not intend for humans to take advantage of creation and spoil it. As stewards of creation, humans are encouraged to take care of the Earth that God has given.
The sanctity of life
The Catholic Church teaches that:
- human life is sacredHoly, related to God. Connected to a religious purpose. and special to God
- human life should be protected and respected
- human beings are created in the image of God
Then God said, 'Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness...'
This implies that all humans should be treated with dignity and justice.
Compassion
Catholicism teaches that Jesus taught his followers to love your neighbour as you love yourself
(MatthewA writer of one of the four gospels in the New Testament. 22:39) and to do to others as you would have them do to you
(LukeA writer of one of the four gospels in the New Testament. 6:31).
Judgement
Many Catholics believe that they will be judged on whether or not they have helped the people who are most in need:
... Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in...
In this parable, the good people are those who care for others and they are rewarded with HeavenA place, or a state of mind, associated with God and the afterlife.. The bad people do not help others and they are sent to HellA place or state of torment and punishment for those who have done wrong..
Eternal life
Jesus told the Rich Young Man to go and sell all that he had and give the money to those living in poverty so that he could enjoy riches in Heaven. In MarkThe second gospel in the New Testament of the Bible., it states:
Jesus looked at him and loved him. 'One thing you lack,' he said. 'Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.'