Religious attitudes to Rich and Poor

Reasons for becoming Poor;

• gambling
• unemployment
• wasteful spending

Reasons for becoming Rich;

• excessive salaries
• inheritance
• lottery

Christianity;

• Gambling denies the biblical worth ethic that associates honest labour with deserved reward
• 'The love of money is the root of all evil'
• The lottery is fine in moderation (on occasion) - as you can give to charity

Sikhism; 

• Kirat-Karni = earning one's money by honest means (labour)
• 2 of the 5 major vices are both Lobh (Greed) and Moh (Attachment) - lead to gambling or are fed by gambling

Causes of Poverty;

• Family disagreements
• Unemployment
• Wasteful spending patterns
• Debt
• Low wages

Where Wealth is from;

• Inheritance
• Life savings
• Lottery
• Talent
• High wages
  
• Dishonest means (e.g, gambling)

What do we do to help?

• Charities
• Local authorities
• Government
• Family

An example of a charity is Shelter - helps millions of people every year who are struggling with bad housing and homelessness - and campaign to prevent it happening in the first place.  

Christianity; 

• 'No one can serve two masters...You cannot serve both God and money'
• 'Go sell everything you have and give it to the poor and you will have treasure in Heaven'
• The Parable of the Widow's offering

Sikhism;

• Sikhs believe that a person who posesses riches is blessed by God by virtue and that they are able to help the poor
• Sewa = we have a service to others
• Livelihoods should be made out of honest means.