Wealth and Poverty

Question 1

List some causes of poverty (6)

Answer 1

• Lack of natural resources
• Government corruption
• Conflict
• Natural disaster
• Debt/loans on interest
• Unfair trade
• Poor healthcare(disease)/education

Question 2

How much money did Chile borrow in the early 70s and how much had they paid back by 1982?

Answer 2

Chile borrowed $3.9 billion in the early 70s and by 1982 they had paid $12.8billion back in interest, and still owed money.

Question 3

In the UK, the top 1 percent have the same degree of wealth as what percentage of the population?

Answer 3

55%

Question 4

What fraction of the global population live on less than $2.50 a day?

Answer 4

Around half

Question 5

Luke 18:25? It is easier for….

Answer 5

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God.

Question 6

Mark 10:21? Go sell everything…

Answer 6

“Go sell everything you have and give it to the poor”

Question 7

Mark 6:24? You cannot serve …….

Answer 7

“You cannot serve both God and money”

Question 8

Give a Bible teaching about materialistic values

Answer 8

“The love of money is at the root of all evil”

-Timothy 6:10

Question 9

What is prosperity theology?

Answer 9

The belief that material wealth is a gift from God and that he “richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment”.

Question 10

What did Jesus say with regards to the poor and heaven? (Matthew 5:3)

Answer 10

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs”

Question 11

Why might someone be skeptical about giving to charity? Use a specific example to back this up

Answer 11

Some charities have been caught out having vested interests in coorperations that act ‘immorally’.

For example, in 2013 it was discovered that Comic Relief had shares in arms firm BAE Systems and alcohol manufacturer, Diageo.

Question 12

Why might a Christian choose to give to charity? (there are a number of different answers for this question)

Answer 12

• It’s an important way that they might show their love for God.
• God wants justice in the world so it is important to share with others.
• It is the loving and righteous thing to do.
• The Bible and Jesus encourages doing so “go sell everything you have and give it to the poor”

Question 13

Define ‘tithe’

Answer 13

Tithe is 10% of a Christian’s annual income which they choose to give to their church or charity

Question 14

What is a philanthropist?

Answer 14

A person who donates money, goods, services or time to help a cause which benefits society

Question 15

Define ‘compassion’

Answer 15

A concern for the welfare of others

Question 16

Why might a couple in a less developed nation have more children than those living in an MEDC?

Answer 16

They might need a larger family to survive, either to work on a family-run farm because the parents cannot afford to hire help or to assist in searching for food/work. Because there is no state pension in most LEDCs, parents need more children to be able to support them in later life.

Question 17

What is charity?

Answer 17

The voluntary giving of help, typically in the form of money, to those in need.

Question 18

Which church teaches that Christians have a duty to make money for themselves and their family (by lawful and moral means)?

Answer 18

The Catholic Church

Question 19

What does the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats teach about giving to the poor?

Answer 19

It is a “righteous” thing to do and will grant you passage into Heaven

Question 20

Define the term ‘materialism’

Answer 20

A tendency to consider material possessions as more important than intellectual or spiritual values

Question 21

Wealth is most often considered to be either an ……………. or ………….. to faith or an ………….. of belief in God.

Answer 21

Wealth is most often considered to be either an offense or obstacle to faith or an outcome of belief in God

Question 22

Why might someone disagree with materialistic values?

Answer 22

If they believe that spiritual/emotional wealth is far better for wellbeing and a person’s happiness than physical prosperity.

Question 23

“God loves a …… giver” - Corinthians 9:7

Answer 23

“God loves a cheerful giver” - Corinthians 9:7

Question 24

Which bible teaching indicates that exploiting someone for profit when they are in a time of need is bad?

Answer 24

“You must not lend him money at interest or sell him food at profit” - Leviticus 25:37

Question 25

Outline a few Christian views on wealth

Answer 25

• Some Christians believe wealth is a temptation, which can lead to people behaving in a less than Christian manner
• Others have no issue with wealth, as long as it is used appropriately (and to help those who are less fortunate)
• Some Christians believe that only by giving up your wealth can you be deserving of a place in Heaven
• Some Christians see wealth as a gift from God/a reward for being a good person already (this might be used to reason that the wealthy should share their riches)
• All things belong to God and should therefore be shared out
• It is ‘inner’ spiritual wealth that matters most

Question 26

What was the traditional Christian view towards natural disasters?

Answer 26

They occurred as punishments for not being faithful to God, or to test a person’s belief even when they feel abandoned by him.

Question 27

Which famous Christian nun established hospices for people to spend their final hours in a safe environment?

Answer 27

Mother Teresa

She was an Albanian Catholic Nun who worked in India all her life taking care of the poor and homeless. She believed agape should be shown in the actions of all humans.

Question 28

“It’s not how much we ….. but how much …… we put into ………”

• Mother Teresa

Answer 28

“It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.”

• Mother Teresa

Question 29

Which Saint was born a rich man but after a pilgrimage to Rome, spent his time caring for lepers (washing their sores and feeding them)?

Answer 29

St Francis of Assisi - He also gave back all of his possessions to his family

Question 30

“Do not store up for yourselves ………. on earth, but store up for yourselves …….. in …………”

• Matthew 6:19

Answer 30

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven”

• Matthew 6:19

Question 31

John 3:17/18? If anyone has material….

Answer 31

“If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?”

Question 32

Which anti-poverty campaign does the Church of England support?

Answer 32

Make Poverty History

Question 33

What was the World Can’t Wait movement of 2005?

Answer 33

In the months leading up to the G8 summit, thousands of people signed a petition calling for world leaders to take action against poverty. This was presented to Tony Blair, the then UK prime minister after thousands of people met in London for a rally.

Question 34

Give two examples of Christian charities and outline what they do

Answer 34

CAFOD: Provides emergency disaster aid, helps rebuild countries and cares for those who have been displaced due to floods/earthquakes etc

World Vision: Gives people the opportunity to sponsor a child to support their education, provide them with food and water

Question 35

Which Christian denomination does work that revolves around charity, particulary feeding the homeless and collecting old clothes/shoes to sell in their charity shops?

Answer 35

The Salvation Army

Question 36

Which bible teaching suggests that giving to those in need is giving to God also and will gain you passage to heaven?

Answer 36

The Parable of the Sheep and Goats

Question 37

Which bible teaching suggests you should not boast about giving to charity?

Answer 37

“Be careful not to do your giving so others can see or you will have no reward from God” - Matthew 6

Question 38

What occupations might a Christian consider immoral? Try to give a reason why

Answer 38

1. Gambling - it’s frivolous and you could lose all your money, making your family suffer
2. In the sex industry - the bible condemns adultery
3. In the army - “Thou shalt not kill” is a commandment
4. In a pay day loans company - the bible teaches not to exploit people if they have fallen on hard times

Question 39

Which two bible teachings suggests that working is a good thing?

Answer 39

“Your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody” - Thessalonians 4:12

“The diligent find freedom in their work; the lazy are oppressed by work” - Proverbs 12:24

Question 40

What is poverty?

Answer 40

The state of being extremely poor and not having enough material wealth to provide a good standard f living for yourself, or your family.

Question 41

What is the difference between absolute and relative poverty?

Answer 41

Absolute poverty is the severe deprivation of basic human needs, including food, safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, health, shelter, education and information. Relative poverty is when a person is poor, in comparison to other citizens of their country.