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Materialism
Attention to worldly things and neglect of spiritual needs

Growth of Materialism
- Post-Reformation views on value of secure family life
- Expansion of Britain's power in Africa, the Americas & Far East led to development of capitalism
- Capitalism reinforced by Industrial Revolution
- Inequality challenged by communism promoted by Marx
- Materialism today seen in wealthy's enjoyment of possessions and poor's desire for them

Positive view of wealth at time of Jesus
- Seen as sign of God's approval
- Jesus' teachings challenged this

NT views of wealth & possessions
- Told rich man that if he wished to gain eternal life, he must give everything he had to the poor
- Parable of S&G warns of eternal suffering for those who ignore needs of the poor
- Jesus did not condemn wealth in itself, viewed as acceptable if not "tied" to wealth, e.g. Zacchaeus

Different Christian responses to Wealth
- Bruderhof
- Prosperity Gospel
- Mainstream Denominations
Bruderhof
- Set up in early 20th Century
- See materialism as one of the main problems in world today
- Mirror Early Jerusalem community by living without any personal property & make certain vows, e.g. to live simply

Prosperity Gospel
- Developed in mid-20th Century in US within the Pentecostal tradition
- Now an international movement
- Teaches that Christian beliefs & practices will be rewarded by God through material prosperity & physical wellbeing
- Members are expected to give generously to evangelistic work & some churches are also involved in social projects

Mainstream Denominations
- Possession of wealth entails great responsibilities for its use
- 19th Century Christian industrialists George & Richard Cadbury built good housing, paid reasonable wages, ran a pension scheme and provided medical care for their employees
- Christians are supposed to be responsible stewards of their wealth
- Many Churches involved in food banks & projects for homeless
- Voluntary aid agencies working to end global poverty, e.g. Christian Aid, Tearfund & CAFOD
