POVERTY AND WEALTH

South Asia is home to millionaires as well as to the largest concentration of the world’s poor. Some 74 per cent of our neighbour (more than a billion people) live on less than two dollars a day.

Recent economic growth has, however, given rise to an urban middle class who may be able to use their education and socio-economic independence to fight corruption, demand more responsible government and create businesses that draw more people out of poverty. But this is not the only possible outcome. Frustration with corruption, inequality and the political system may result in educated young South Asians emigrating or investing their money abroad. If they choose to focus solely on improving the circumstances of their own families, the gap between rich and poor will widen. It is thus important that Christian communities across South Asia take time to reflect on the Bible’s teaching on poverty and wealth and apply it in the political and economic spheres as well as in their daily lives.

In Genesis, the story of creation reveals that God provided abundantly for all human and animal life and created the natural resources that would support human industry and trade (Gen 1:29-30; 2:11-13). But since the fall, we have tended to idolise wealth (Prov 18:10-11; Eccl 5:10; Matt 6:24; Col 3:5). Resources have become concentrated in the hands of the elite, while the majority remain impoverished (Isa 5:8; Mic 2:2; Jas 5:1-6). We have succumbed to the sins of greed, jealousy and indifference to the needs of others.

God wanted his people to model broad-based economic equality and thus he instituted laws that provided for the poor as well as for restoring capital assets and preventing exploitative acquisition (Num 26:53-56; Deut 15:1-14; 24:10-21). His blessing on a nation was interpreted as meaning that everyone would sit “under their own vine and under their own fig tree” (1 Kgs 4:25; Mic 4:4). This surprisingly modest economic goal focuses on security, independence and sufficiency.

Extremes of either wealth or poverty are rejected in the OT (Prov 30:8-9). In the NT, Paul takes a similar stance (2 Cor 8:13-15, quoting Exod 16:18). He does not define equality as meaning that everyone has exactly the same standard of living, but as meaning that everyone enjoys a standard of living that is compatible with human dignity.

The book of Proverbs presents values that should be taught at home regarding the right attitude to wealth and poverty (Prov 3:9-10; 11:24-26; 12:9), how we should relate to rich and poor (Prov 3:27; 14:21) and the management of family wealth (Prov 13:11; 24:27; 27:18, 23-27). Hard work and enterprise are encouraged (Prov 10:4-5; 21:5; 28:19-20).

These biblical teachings resonate with some South Asian values. But whereas in South Asia, these are applied within the extended family, the NT pattern of economic sharing looks beyond the family and kinship group to the needy of the local and global community.

Christ’s sympathy for the poor should be our model. His incarnation is described as enriching the poor: “Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich” (2 Cor 8:9). In the church, the traditional Israelite kinship structure was enlarged to embrace economic sharing with fellow believers (Acts 2:44; Rom 15:26; 2 Cor 8:4; 9:13; Gal 6:10; 1 Tim 6:18). A new concept of hospitality arose, rooted in the understanding that our “household” was now the inclusive community of Christ (Rom 12:13; Eph 2:19; Heb 3:6; 13:2; 1 Pet 4:9).

Believers today need to think deeply about the ethical challenges posed by wealth and poverty. How should we respond to the problem of debt to money-lenders and credit card companies? Is it good stewardship of the resources God has given us to borrow money in order to maintain our social status by indulging in lavish celebrations?

Are we striving for larger incomes so that we can fulfil our family duties, or are we defining our “respectability” by what we earn? Do we recognise the pressures of the never-ending consumerism that defines our worth by what and how much we buy? These are questions we need to ponder. The answers are not always easy. We would be wise to heed Paul’s wise counsel in 1 Timothy 6:5-18 as we traverse this ethical maze.

Prabo Mihindukulasuriya