Christian Values Related to Wealth, Money, and Poverty

"[Proverbs 22:16] One who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and one who gives gifts to the rich—both come to poverty"

Values are beliefs, which guide people on what is right and wrong. There are:-

• Social values
  
• Cultural values
  
• Moral values​​

Values related to wealth are: -

• Love
• Honesty
• Reliability
• Fairness
• Justice
• Respect
• Faithfulness
• Humility
• Persistence
• Chastity

​"[Proverbs 14:23] All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty"

"[Proverbs 11:24] One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty"

• Love — intense emotion of attachment, affection, warmth, fondness, regard for a person or something

How should love guide a Christian in relation to wealth creation?

• Honesty — quality of being truthful, fair trustworthy, sincere, genuine. The opposite of honesty is dishonesty
• Reliability — being dependable, faithful, predictable, unfailing. The ability of being relied upon and keeping promises
• Fairness — condition of being unbiased, free from discrimination
• Justice — fair dealings with the people, as they deserve according to the law. Being fair, giving people what’s due to them. Opposite of justice is injustice
• Respect - Quality of having high regard for somebody or something. Politeness. It’s important to respect other people’s property
• Humility — quality of not thinking that you are better than others. Being humble. Opposite of humility is pride, being proud. Those who humble themselves shall be exalted
• Faithfulness — quality of remaining loyal or true to someone. Christians should be faithful at their places of work and in allocating their wealth to God’s work. Those who are entrusted with public resources to manage on behalf of the people should show a high degree of faithfulness.

"[1 Samuel 2:7] The Lord sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts"

• Chastity — a state of being pure, holy, innocent modest, It is abstinence from actions that may make one impure before God. Christians should strive hard not to defile their bodies in search of wealth. Christians should strive to live holy lives, avoid prostitution, drug abuse, corruption -people use sexual favour to get jobs or promotion. Christians should thus avoid such

​"[Proverbs 10:4] Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth"

• Persistence — quality to persevere. Quality to continue steadfastly, unrelentingly despite opposition e.g. the unjust judge and widow, Jeremiah are people who persisted.

Revision questions

1. Explain the biblical teaching on wealth
   
2. Discuss the biblical teaching on acquisition and use of wealth
   
3. Explain ways in which people misuse wealth in Kenya today
   
4. Show how misuse of wealth leads to family instability
   
5. Give ways in which the Kenyan government is alleviating the high levels of poverty
   
6. State the factors that have contributed to high levels of poverty in Kenya today