Christian Wealth And Resources Research Paper

Christians and the Unequal Distribution of Wealth and Resources

Over one billion people are living in poverty today.

And the gap between rich and poor is getting wider. All over the world, disparities between rich and poor, even in the wealthiest of nations is rising sharply. Fewer people are becoming increasingly 'successful' and wealthy while a disproportionately larger population are also becoming even poorer.

Christian Aid, an agency of the churches in the UK and Ireland, is campaigning to tackle the negative impact of international trade rules on the worlds poorest people. Christian Aid's purpose is to expose the scandal of poverty and to contribute to its eradication. They strive to

Ethiopia is one of the poorest countries in the world; a third of the population earn less than 70p a day, and many people rely on farming and cattle - herding for an income. There are now three million HIV - positive people in Ethiopia, the third largest number in any country of the world.

In 2000, parts of Ethiopia were affected by the worst drought since 1984/5. Although the rains in 2001 have been better in most areas, it will take many years for some communities, in particular the cattle - herders, to recover. To tackle these problems internally is extremely difficult, particularly as Ethiopia still spends twice as much on external debt repayments as it does on health care.

Christian Aid is currently working with 16 local partner organisations such as the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and the Mekane Yesus Church. Their programme focuses on three priorities:

1. Tackling HIV / AIDS,

2. Improving food production and water supply,

3. Strengthening partners to increase their effectiveness and

We live in a world today which is driven by wealth. This alarming statement leads me to the story of the Widow's mite. Whilst Jesus was in the Temple he watched the people put money into the treasury ( a lot of rich people put large sums of money into the treasury). Then a poor widow came in and put two small coins into the treasury - the equivalent of a penny. Then Jesus called his disciples and said to them:

"I tell you solemnly, this poor widow has put more money in than all who have contributed to the treasury; for they have all put in money they had over, but she from the little she had has put in everything she possessed, all she had to live on." [Mark 13: 41-44]

This story proves that faith is more important than wealth. This poor widow gave everything she had and left herself very vulnerable as she gave up her entire income. She had to rely on her faith to sustain her.

"Treat others as you would like them to treat you" [Luke 6: Verse 3]

This statement was a warning from God through Jesus to the selfish people who were living in the time of Jesus. Such people still exist today but we can hope that these words will have some meaning to