Eduqas Alevel RS Theme 3A - Dangers of Wealth

What is wealth

an abundance of valuable material possessions or resources

What are the four set scriptures for dangers of wealth

Mark 10: 17-25, Matthew 6:25-34, Luke 12:33-34 and Timothy 6:10 (also Psalm 10 is a good one)

What are the key points from Mark 10: 17-25 (wealth set scripture)

The Rich Kingdom Of God.

- A man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him "Good teacher what must I do to inherit eternal life?"

-Jesus answered "You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultuery, you shall not steal, you shall not give faules testimony, you shall not defraud, honour your mother and your father." These are the mosaic Old Testament commands, the man then replies saying that he has kept these since he was a boy- Jesus used this as an example for the first set of rules that you should follow, the most basic ones.

- Jesus then replies with "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me" Jesus here instructs that material things do not matter, they are not the treasure people desire and by selling them you will receive the treasure in heaven and grow closer to God as you are no longer fuelled by greed for material things and wealth but only fuelled by faith.

- Continued...

What are the key points from Mark 10: 17-25 regarding the eye of a needle (wealth set scripture)

Jesus then talks to his disciples "Children, how hard it is to enter the Kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than someone who is rich enter the kingdom of God." Here Jesus is saying that it is not impossible to enter heaven when you have great wealth but it is significantly more difficult. The eye of the Needle is the gated entrance to Jerusalem, it is very narrow and the camels would be carrying lots of bulky material goods making it hard to fit through the gate, but as soon as those good were removed they fit easily.

quote about wealth and the eye of a needle

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than someone who is rich enter the kingdom of God. It is impossible to enter God's kingdom whilst still attached to worldly possessions.

What does Mark 10: 17-25 suggest about Christian attitudes towards wealth

When Jesus says to sell and give to the poor it splits from traditional Judaism belief where wealth is seen to be a gift from God. Jesus says that's wealth does not matter when you get to heaven but living a life not fuelled by greed for it is better as you will present better qualities to get to heaven

What are the key points from Do Not Worry: Matthew 6:25-34 (wealth set scripture)

"Therefore I tell you do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them." —>God provides all that we need, He provides the birds with their necessities saving them from going and searching for it, having desires for it. He will do the same for us, provide us with what we need so we dont become greedy or tunnel visioned looking for wealth when we will be rewarded in heaven through faith.

"But seek first His kingdom and hHis righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own" —> priorities should not lie with material good but with your spiritual needs.

What does Matthew 6:25-32 suggest about Christian attitudes towards wealth

Priorities must remain spiritual, to be present in life is to remove the desire and want for material things.

What are they key points from Luke 12:33 - 34

"Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourself that will not wear out. A treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no their comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will also be." —> monetary benefits and drive will run out but spiritual ones does not, faith is more important and can be more rewarding than a drive for wealth. This is echoed in ACTS where the followers get told to sell their possessions to the poor and those who dont died and did not receive salvation.

What does Luke 12:33-34 suggest about Christian attitudes towards wealth

Financial wealth will not run out spiritual investment ensures that you will get entry into heaven and have eternal life

What are the key points from Timothy 6:10

"For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pieced themselves with many griefs" —> Timothy is part of the "pastoral epistles" and they are worried collectively about lapsing morality in the church. They are not concerned with money creating problems as that in itself is not evil, rather it is the love of money which Is problematic. An eagerness to be rich and being driven by money is dangerous.

What does Timothy 6:10 suggest about Christian attitudes towards wealth

That you become narrow visioned and loose sight of God with the love of money, morality decreases as people get richer

What are the key points of Psalm 10

"He boasts about the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the Lord" "in his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God"

What does Psalm 10 suggest about Christian attitudes towards wealth

Rich man has cravings and ignores God when things go well but looks for him when things go wrong. blesses on the greedy and wants more money. YOU HAVE TO GO TO God EVERYDAY NO MATTER WHAT YOU ARE FEELING OR WHAT YOU HAVE "GIVE US OUR DAY OUR DAILY BREAD: EXODUS STORY ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO KEPT THE BREAD FOR the NEXT DAY BUT IT WENT STALE SO THEY COULDN'T HAVE IT - SHOWS HOW God IS NEEDED EVERY DAY NOT JUST WHEN YOU NEED HIM

What is the ascetic ideal

A lifestyle that includes great self discipline, including things like limited food (extended period of fasting), live on the periphery of society, limited possessions, limited social interactions, no close relationships and extensive time spent praying. People do this for salvation, thinking it will help them develop a closer relationship with God and clear their conscience

Where does the ascetic ideal come from

'Askeo' which means exercise or training, retaining from pleasure to achieve a moral or intellectual goal =.

Where is the ascetic ideal seen in the Bible

It is only used once in the Bible as a lifestyle, seen in the New Testament with St Paul where he is striving to live in a way that will clear his conscience with God and others to help him achieve salvation and go to heaven. It is seen in sections throughout the Bible further such as Jesus in the desert.

What are examples of the ascetic ideal in real life

1. Origen (185-254AD) fell into voluntary poverty, fasted and completed extensive prayer. He wanted his should to be purified and learn knowledge of God

2. Desert fathers - community of people who were inspired by Jesus in the desert, They lived in remote locations and their whole lifestyle was set around prayer. They also did self flagellation as they thought they were not perfect in the eyes of God.

3. St Anthony of Egypt (251-356) - sold his possessions and moved to the desert to embrace asceticism. the attracted followers. He believed the end of the world was immanent so that this life of aestheticism was urgent and would continue the revelation of God

what are the strengths and weaknesses of the aesthetic life

strength:

- people such as St Anthony of Egypt or the desert fathers followed it - there must've been some reason to do so. It helps them find the teachings of Jesus easier

- removing the temptations that can increase the rift between them and God, removes sin

- allows time for prayer helping them get closer to God

- shows commitment to God and makes them deserving of salvation and God's grace, even though it is given to those who do not deserve it could remove guilt

weakness:

- not often mentioned in the Bible

- very dangerous - your body is a gift from God

- you cant act as a steward too looks after the world that God created

- limits the ability to get justification through works

- can't perform any of the sacraments, follow the 10 commandments or spread the word of God as asked in the great commandment

- Jesus was the moral example, if He didn't do it why should we?

- cant follow the parable of the sheep and the Goat

- many denominations of Christianity have lots of wealth this are not practising the aesthetic ideal themselves such as the catholic church

what does Luke 7: 33-34 say about the aesthetic life

For John the Baptist came neither eating bread or drinking wine, and you say "he has a demon." The son of man came eating and drinking and you say "He is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners." context the text In Luke suggests that John the Baptist adhered to the aesthetic life however Jesus did not - is Jesus criticised for this behaviour as He is called a drunkard and a glutton

what is the prosperity gospel

The idea that one's physical and economical well-being are direct consequences of the financial contributions a member makes to the church.

what does prosperous mean

successful with material goods

what does the Bible say about prosperity

The prosperity gospel is grounded in "you do not have because you do not ask" James 4:3 If you ask God He will reward you. There is evidence in the Old Testament. God provides the Hebrew people with a land flowing with milk and honey. God clearly does not expect asceticism as he does not provide the idea. The prosperity gospel and the Word faith movement thrives in deprived population a there is a belief, and that belief provides hope.

what is the belief with christians about prosperity

some believe that they have the right to expect good health and wealth if they make positive confession of faith and sowing the seeds through tithes and offerings. This belief became prominent with the rise of TV evangelists. It is prevalent with Charismatic and pentecostal churches

what is tithe

One-tenth of one's income which belongs to God and should be given to the church to support its ministries

what are TV Evangelists

someone who spreads Christianity through Tv and media

what is healing revivals

a growth in religious interest generated by large rallies and televised services where people were converted or healed

what is the word of faith movement

Set up by Rvd Kenneth Hagen (found himself crying out to God and then opportunities started coming his way and thinks he has had 8 special revelations), It is secondary from the prosperity gospel. It encourages people to speak of their own desires in the hope you will be given them. "YOU DO NOT HAVE BECAUSE YOU DO NOT ASK" JAMES 4:3

who are examples of the prosperity gospel

Joel Ostreen and Benny Hinn

who is Joel Ostreen

- American Pastor and TV evangelist born in 1963

- Attracts millions of people yearly through his talks through his positive and motivation sermons and books

- He works at his family church which generates $43 million a year and less than 1% of that goes to charities

- He preaches about how we should donate to the church and how it is easier for a camel to fit through the eye of the needle than a wealth man into heaven yet has a $350,000 Ferrari. He has taken out millions in loans to put towards the church and has a multi million dollar net worth

who is Benny Hinn

- TV evangelist born in 1952

- He has a ministry called WORLD HEALING CENTRE CHURCH where global events are held and reaches over 200 countries

- he is said to have a $60 million net worth

- He has miracle crusades and cures people, but only certain people that have been pre picked to go on stage and others get turned away. Claims have said that he manipulates people through singing and miracles but not one has been confirmed yet

- Held in stadiums to show the large out reach

- claims to be the chosen disciple of God. Claims to have had religious experiences

is the aesthetic idea compatible with Christianity? Yes it is

Yes:

- even though it does not command aestheticism directly in the Bible some teachings suggest it would make it easier to access Heaven if you did. If you followed this lifestyle rather than wealth "it is easier for a camel to get through the eye of a needle rather than a rich man enter the kingdom of heaven"

- Matthew 17 and various other than scripture highlights ho faith is the most important part of salvation Aesthetic lifestyle allows you to solely focus on your faith above other things meaning it will remove temptation and increase salvation.

- there are people who have lived this life historically such as St Anthony of Egypt or The Desert Fathers. These have lead to religious movements such as monasticism. The dessert fathers were successful with encouraging others to live the lifestyle and become more compatible with christianity.

- St Paul in his scripture warns about being distracted by the 'flames of passion' the aesthetic ideal prevents this from happening as "money is the root of all evil" Timothy

- In the aesthetic life there is no desire or greed, greed is seen in genesis with Adam and Eve with the greed of things that they don't have and knowledge. We see this in the NT with Judas seeking out the romans for money. This demonstrates the dangers associated with greed and wealth, the danger is then removed by following the ascetic life.

- certain communities can be formed such as the Dessert fathers so you can show love thy neighbour

is the aesthetic idea compatible with Christianity? No it is not

- we are all made in the image of God and God would want us to enjoy life "have life and live it to the full' (John) so living the aesthetic ideal will lead to restriction which would not be living life to the full

- part of the aesthetic ideal means removing yourself from society and living on the periphery. However a central part of christianity is helping the community and loving thy neighbour which you cannot do if you are in a isolated society

- the key moral principle of christianity is to love thy neighbour how is it possible to demonstrate this when living a restrictive life and have nothing to give. This goes against the commandment in the Bible and has no evidence to show that it should be done

- Jesus himself did not conform to this idea whilst he lived in modest and humble surroundings he never lived a deliverate restrictive life - He was gifted expensive things such as gold and myrrh

- In the bible it speaks extensively about the dangers of wealth and how it can lead you from God. it does not say that you should live according to the aesthetic ideal its about finding the middle ground between the two.

- Bultmann made the claim that we should demythologise the NT. The examples are only there to act as a guide with a message not a way of life that should be followed

- Wealth can be used more readily to help others which is an important concept in christianity such as Oprah Winfrey who has helped millions in poverty. This shows that you do not have to give up all you own to help others, just don't misuse your wealth

wealth is a sign of God's blessings (yes it Is)

AGREE

- Abraham was rich and as one of the three founding fathers chosen by God. the first individual that we should take influence from lived a life of wealth so we should too

- Story of Jobe - he had everything and the devil convinced God to take it all testing Jobe's faith. When Jobe did not weaken his faith God rewarded him with double, increasing his wealth as a reward

- wealth allows us to access higher pleasures such as uni. But also with wealth you can help others, tithing or like the sheep and the goat

- With wealth Christians are able to enjoy the world that God has created and partake in traveling or pilgrimage that without wealth they cannot do

- Whilst Blomberg may argue that milk and honey are basic necessities and not wealth per say, we can argue that what we need has now changed and so we do need wealth to live and so wealth is a blessing. It could be a metaphor to show that God can provide us with our basics and we have the free will to build our lives how we like.

- "you do not have because you do not ask" prosperity gospel God is all powerful so will be able to provide what we desire. His benevolent nature means we should receive it. If we have faith we will be rewarded double from God.

wealth is a sign of God's blessing No it is not

DISAGREE

- Jesus was the son of God and He is the moral example that we should follow. Jesus had a close relationship with God and it can be argued that wealth is not important or a significant factor in determining God's blessing but actually your relationship with God is the blessing. Jesus was poor and still lived a life where he received salvation and eternal life.

-"money is the root of all evil" Timothy

- "it is easier for a camel to get through the eye of a needle that a rich man get into Heaven"

- wealth is not a blessing become wealth can lead to selfishness and Jesus taught us to be selfless and put others first so God's blessing is actually shown in our behaviour towards others and not wealth

- There have been many saints including ST Francis of Assissi who renounced their wealth to live a humble lifestyle. Such saints are blessed people showing that wealth is not a sign of blessing but more your faith and actions (also Mother Teresa she took a vow of poverty when she became a catholic nun but she raised millions for charities)

- Some people are born in extreme poverty so how can you argue that if you are born into poverty you are not blessed by God. This does not seem to live out the Christian message of inclusivity. Jesus helped everyone not just the rich. He performed miracles to those who were poor and could not give back with give back with materials only with faith which is much more important than wealth.

- Craig L Blomberg argues that wealth Is not a sign of God's blessing and people who believe this have misinterpreted the Bible , which Bultmann believes needs to be demythologised. He argued that blessings from God come spiritually and that God never said there would be individual wealth only that a nation would be blessed with recourses to live BASIC NECESSITIES

what weaknesses does Craig L Blomberg present about the prosperity Gospel

churches do rely on donations

1. God has never promised any other nation apart from Israel a land of 'milk and honey' therefore it is wrong to think that God would apply this to modern nations

2. the Abrahamic Covenant did say God will provide a land of milk and honey however this is not on a personal level, it was on a nation level so individuals can still technically remain fop

3. the NT does not once mention the promise of peace and prosperity if you have faith in Jesus, the sinner on the cross didn't talk about wealth or status just that he was a sinner, Jesus was itinerant not shedding and wealth or having lots of riches

Any blessings that do come happen to be spiritual not financial. the Bible shows a message of wealth causing problems and distracts from the important features of all. Jesus too endured hardships and nothing the Bible suggests that Jesus are up in wealth