Wealth

Question 1

Religious teachings about wealth

Answer 1

. Christianity and Buddhism do not teach it is wrong to be wealthy.
. But they do teach that focusing on wealth can lead to greed and selfishness, and the neglect of spiritual practice.
. Both religions also teach it is important to use wealth to help others in need.

Question 2

Christian attitudes towards wealth

Answer 2

• Bible teaches that wealth is a blessing from God (1 Chronicles 29:12).
• The Bible teaches that wealth is associated with dangers like greed and selfishness.
• ‘For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil.’ (1 Timothy 6:10)
• Jesus did not teach it is wrong to be wealthy, but said that focusing on wealth brings the danger of ignoring God and neglecting the spiritual life.
• ‘You cannot serve both God and money.’ (Matthew 6:24)

Question 3

Buddhist attitudes towards wealth

Answer 3

• For Buddhists, what matters is not how wealthy someone is but how they got their money, their attitude towards it, and what they do with it.
• Traditionally, monks and nuns live a simple life with little or no money.
• Letting go of wealth is a way of overcoming attachment, which is a spiritual obstacle.
• Ordinary Buddhists need to earn their livelihood but at the same time follow the ethical precepts.
• The Buddha taught that happiness is not achieved through craving and accumulating wealth but through enlightenment.
• ‘By action, knowledge and Dhamma, by virtue and noble way of life –By these are mortals purified, not by lineage or wealth.’ (The Buddha in the Majjhima Nikaya, vol. 3, p. 262)

Question 4

Christian views towards wealth

Answer 4

. While everyone needs money to live, Christians believe those with excess money should give it to the church for its upkeep and mission, including providing it for the poor
. Wealth should be used to help people in need
. In the Bible, the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus ends with the rich man in hell for not sharing his wealth with the poor beggar (Luke 16:19 - 31)
. The parable of the Sheep and the Goats states that those who help the poor are rewarded with a place in heaven (Matthew 25:31-46)

Question 5

Buddhist views towards wealth

Answer 5

. The Adiya Sutta says a person can use their wealth for three purposes:
1. To provide pleasures and satisfaction for themselves, their family and their friends
2. To keep themselves safe
3. To give offerings to monks, nuns, or the poor
. Buddhism places a lot of emphasis on using one’s wealth to benefit others
. It is also important to give freely without expecting anything in return