Importance of wealth in African traditional society

1. Wealth was seen as a blessing from God.
2. It was a measure in the amount of property/wives/children one has.
3. Wealth allowed owners to marry many wives because they were able to pay dowry. This ensured continuity and numbers of clans.
4. Wealth was used to provide security and protection through adoption and hiring.
5. Wealth was used to help the needy.
6. Wealth was seen to influence leadership, power and respect.
7. Wealth was used to worship God/appease ancestors.
8. Wealth was seen as a sign of food security because it could be traded for food with neighboring communities.

CHRISTIAN APPROACHES TO WEALTH, MONEY AND POVERTY

b) State the teaching of Jesus on wealth

1. Wealth should be worked for
2. It is a gift from God
3. Should be shared with the poor
4. Can prevent people from worshipping God
5. It is not permanent (rich fool)
6. He should use wealth to get external life
7. spreading the gospel

c) Explain ways in which people misuse their wealth in society today

1. Bribe for position or obtain something
2. Bribe to escape punishment
3. Use money to kill enemies, old people using money to reduce the young
4. Prostitution
5. Extravagant - buying two cars
6. Buying dangerous weapons
7. oppressing the poor
8. exploitation
9. Gambling.

b) Give reasons why missionaries started schools

1. To use them as means of evangelizing the Africans/ win African converts to Christianity
2. To train African catechist/and evangelists who
3. could be used in the missionary work
4. To use the schools to 'civilize'/transform the Africans
5. To use the schools to fight against /or eliminate certain African practices, which were not in keeping with Christianity (e.g. witchcraft, polygamy)
6. To train people to work in the colonial administration / in the settlers farms and in the mission stations.
7. To provide education in order to uplift the living standard to Africans'
8. To teach the converts how to read so that they could read the Bible and other Christian literature for themselves/translate the bible
9. To equip the African with basic skills of literacy and numerate social and practical skills.
10. The missionaries also wanted to us schools to teach religious instructions/knowledge for the spiritual development of adherents /deepen their faith

c)  How does the church in Kenya use mass media to educate Kenyans?

1. Use of radio/television to air programs that cover a wide range of Christian life and ministry e.g. worship services, plays film literatures, choirs, songs and crusades
2. Use of newspapers to educate the people on the work of church and how they should behave.
3. Churches publishing their own magazines, pamphlets, brochures and newsletter in which they write on various issues – (political, social economical, religious and family life).
4. Use of posters carrying Christian message and teaching
5. Print Post Cards, which carry Christian carry Christian message 

Give five reasons why it is important for a family to discuss its budget.

1. Budget gets rid of conflicts that result from poor spending of money
2. Let’s the family be in control of their money
3. Brings the family together by building strong financial ties
4. Eliminates impulse buying
5. Helps the family save money
6. Helps the family focus on more important goals
7. Helps the family set aside some money to help the poor and the build the church.

State five factors which hinder Christians in Kenya from helping the needy. (5marks)

1. Too many needy cases
2. Lack of experts to help in specialized areas e.g. in hospitals to help people with special needs
3. Tribal/ ethnic feelings/ zoning prevalent at present/ marginalization
4. Political learning’s and influence Christians belonging to a political party are not free to help needy people who do not belong where they belong
5. Poor communication/ infrastructure in some parts of the country
6. Sometimes aid has some strings attached  donors dictate how aid should be spent// given used
7. Economic demands/ inflation which leave Christians with nothing to help  the poor with/ give/ lack of enough resources
8. Indifferences by some Christians to the plight of the needy/ some Christians are too attached to their material wealth/ selfishness
9. Corruption/ bribery prevailing in the society/ lack of transparency  and accountability discourage some of the Christians from helping the poor
10. Denominational factors where Christians from one denomination are not ready to help the needy  who are not members of their church
11. Lack of strategies/ procedure/ system on how help given is spent
12. Lack of awareness by some Christians on almsgiving  (5 x 1 = 5 mks)

Suggest five ways in which the Church in Kenya could help street children. (5marks)

1. Rehabilitate them/ reform them/ change them
2. Try to link them up with their families / parents
3. Give them guidance and counseling
4. Provide them with the basics  of life- food, shelter and  clothing/ material support
5. Help them to go to school/ provide leaving  resources/ pay  school fees
6. Help in building home for them/ contribute to  building homes
7. Appeal to the governments and the non- governmental  organizations and the community to help  those children
8. Persuade them to attend church and accept them into the churches/ give them moral support.
9. Accept and welcome street boys to their homes
10. Evangelize them/ win them to the church
11. Start money generating projects for them
12. Help equip them with  survival skills for employment and self- employment
13. Teach them  values and morals e.g. cleanliness, honesty, self – respect (5 mks)

State five ways through which Christians show love to famine stricken people. (5marks)

1. Praying for them
2. Providing them with food and water clothes i.e. sharing.
3. Initiating/funding projects to help them become self-reliant food production.
4. Sanitizing people on the plight of the affected cases.
5. Advocating for equitable distribution of resources.
6. Supporting their self-help projects.
7. Providing medical facilities/care.
8. Providing basic education/skills/training
9. Providing basic education/skills/training
10. Providing guidance and counseling/preaching to then
11. Providing guidance and counseling/preaching to then.
12. Providing personal care/visiting them. 5x1=5mks

Give five reasons why Christians take up insurance policies. (5marks)       

1. It is a saving/ form  of investment
2. To provide security against risks (disability, death, theft, sickness etc.)
3. It can assist one to get a loan
4. To fulfil legal requirements/ moral obligations
5. For the beneficiaries to inherit
6. For use in old age/ after retirement
7. To generate revenue/ income/ create employment    (5 x  1 = 5 mks)

c) How should a Christian respond when offered a bribe? (6marks)

1. He should  not accept the bribe
2. He should condemn the act of bribing
3. He should pray for God’s guidance
4. He should advice the person not to depend on bribing

(c) Why do some Christians find it difficult to share their wealth with others? (6 marks)

1. There is selfishness/ individuals in modern  society
2. The high costly of living  has led to  economic constraints
3. Some only share with members of their tribe/ race/ clan/ family
4. Denominational differences hinder the spirit of sharing
5. It can encourage dependence/ laziness
6. It is difficult to identify those  who may genuinely require help/ assistance
7. Those receiving help may be suspicious
8. Those receiving the assistance may not  show appreciation
9. They have not understood the biblical concept of sharing. ( 1 x 6  = 6 mks)

Outline the steps the church is taking to reduce poverty in Kenya today.  (7 marks)

1. Advocates  for equitable distribution of resources
2. Condemns unfair treatment of workers
3. Supports  income generating activities among its members
4. Initiates projects where people are employed
5. Establishes people on the importance of sharing resources/ communal living
6. Encourage self- employment
7. Preaches against idleness/ encourages dignity of work
8. Condemns deals in the society (7 x 1 = 7 mks)

(a) Explain how unfair distribution of wealth can lead to social disorder in Kenya today (8 marks)

1. It causes anger/hatred.
2. Some people can steal/grab in order to be at per with those who have.
3. It widens the gap between the rich and the poor.
4. Regional/ethnic clashes can occur because of inequitable distribution of land.
5. It can create discontent/dissolution/apathy among the people.
6. It forms a basis for oppression of the poor by the rich/those who have.
7. It makes those who have look down upon those who don’t have.
8. It can lead to violence/murder,
9. It can lead to sexual exploitation/immorality.
10. It leads to strikes/demonstrations/industrial action.
11. It can lead to a strained relationship between the government and the people. (4x2=8marks)

a) Explain four negative effects of the introduction of money economy on traditional African communities. (8 marks)

1. It has led to introduction of wage labour instead of communal working that existed.
2. It led to migration to town as people search for better paying jobs, destroying the closely knit traditional way of life.
3. It has led to formation of social-economic classes among the people/rich versus poor thus creating suspicion/insecurity.
4. It has created individualism which has destroyed the communal way of living/extended family relationship.
5. It has led to vices like bribery/corruption/exploitation which have replaced honesty/fairness in traditional African setting.
6. The dependency on no money has led to social evils like prostitution, immorality which has destroyed the traditional concept of marriage/value of sex.
7. It has led to private ownership of land/land can be bought by those with money hence destroying the traditional land ownership.
8. Dowry has been commercialized thus destroying the traditional African meaning of showing appreciation of the family of the bride/girl.
9. The type of education one receives is now determined by the amount of money one has unlike in the traditional set up where the elders passed on education to all without being paid.
10. Due to the introduction of money economy modern means of transport have been acquired which led to accidents/pollution of the environment.
11. Age is no longer a determinant of social status/ a rich young man maybe respected by an elder who is not economically stable. (4 x 2 = 8marks)

b) Outline six teachings of Jesus on wealth. (6 marks)

1. Wealth should be acquired in the right manner
2. Wealth a gift from God/God given
3. Wealth should be used to serve God/expand God’s Kingdom.
4. Those who have wealth are only stewards
5. Those who have wealth are only stewards.
6. Poverty is not a result of sin/the poor can only enjoy God’s blessing
7. Wealth can be hindrance for one to enter in the Kingdom of God.
8. One cannot serve God and Mammon/wealth
9. Wealth cannot satisfy all human needs/cannot answer human quest for salvation.
10. Those who have wealth should avoid extravagance/prodigality/luxury
11. Earth wealth/possession is temporary
12. Those who have wealth should use it responsibly. (6 x 1 = 6 marks)

c) Give six reasons why Christians should not involve themselves in gambling. (6 marks)

1. Gambling enables one to get money/wealth without working for it.
2. In gambling one’s gain leads to another person’s loss.
3. It creates bitterness in the one who loses.
4. The Bible condemns gambling/unfair interests.
5. It involves taking advantage of the ignorant players.
6. There is no security on the wealth/money one puts in gambling.
7. It is addictive/can become a compulsive habit.
8. It can interfere with family budget/priorities/can cause misunderstanding in the family/friends.
9. It can lead to violence/loss of life.
10. It can lead to stress/illness. ‘
11. It can lead to stress/illness.
12. It shows lack of trust/dependence upon God.
13. It can lead to poverty.
14. Time wasting/at the expense of productive work. (6 x 1 = 6 marks).

(c) Give six reasons why Christians find it difficult to help the needy in society today.  (6 marks)

1. Tribal/ethnic feelings may hinder one from giving assistance to the needy.
2. Political leaning/affiliations influence Christians against helping those who do not belong to their   camp.
3. Lack of what to share/inadequacy
4. Indifferences of some Christians to the light of the needy.
5. Denominational differences where some Christians are not ready share with those who do not belong to their group
6. Poor communication/infrastructure in some parts of the country that make impossible to reach   the needy
7. It is difficult to identify the genuine needy cases
8. Misappropriation of resources meant for assisting the needy discourages Christian from contributing.
9. There are too many needy cases.

State seven reasons why some Christians find it difficult to help the sick (7 marks)

1. Some Christians lack the gift of healing
2. They are afraid of being infected
3. Because of religious/ denominational barriers
4. They lack knowledge / skill of handling the sick
5. They have no time for the sick
6. Because of poverty/ may not have enough resources to share
7. Lack of love for the needy/ sick
8. It is difficult for some Christians to determine those who are genuinely sick/ fainting
9. Due to social differences / status/ educational background
10. Due to nepotism/ ethic affiliations
11. Due to gender biases

(a) Outline the traditional African concept of wealth. (6 marks)

1. Wealth is a blessing from God.
2. It is pan and parcel of human existence.
3. It is measured in the amount of property/wives/children one has.
4. It can be individually/communally owned.
5. Wealth is acquired through hard work/inheritance/gift.
6. Wealth determines ones social status.
7. Wealth should be used to help the needy in society.
8. There are rules governing how it is distributed.
9. Wealth is used to worship God/Appease ancestors. (6x1=6 mark)

(c)  Explain six ways the church is using to eradicate poverty in Kenya today. (6 marks)

1. The Church preaches/teaches/encourages hard work among the citizens which enables them to fight poverty.
2. The Church speaks against vices like oppression/exploitation of the poor by the rich in the society which arc promoting poverty.
3. The Church takes care of the poor by providing them with material possession
4. The Church has established projects that offer employment to members •>) the society, this enables them to take care of their needs.
5. The Church gives out bursaries to the needy children enabling them undertake education and get employment.
6. The Church is offering subsidized medical -services which enhances the economic output/productivity of the people.
7. The Church is working together with the government to create a peaceful society which promotes economic/social development.
8. The Church prays for God's intervention in the lives of the poor which gives them hope in life.
9. It offers guidance and counseling to the poverty stricken thus enabling them to open up to realities of life (6 x 1=6 marks)

(a) List seven ways in which wealth is acquired in traditional African communities. (7 marks)

1. Wealth is acquired through inheritance
2. Through payment of bride wealth/dowry
3. Through farming/livestock rearing
4. Through barter trade/exchange of goods/services
5. By marrying many wives/having many children
6. Through raids/wars
7. By using skills/talents
8. By utilizing natural/available resources
9. Through receiving gifts. 7x1=7 marks

(b) Explain the negative effects of the introduction of money economy in traditional African communities. (7 marks)

1. Money economy has led to wage labour which has replaced communal working
2. It has led to rural urban migration hence destroying the closely knit way of life in traditional African communities
3. Money economy has led to formation of classes/gap between the rich and poor which encourages suspicion/insecurity/witchcraft
4. It has led to individualism which has replaced the extended family
5. It has led to bribery/corruption which has replaced the moral values of honesty/faithfulness
6. It has changed land ownership from being communal to private/people sell land for money and end up being squatters
7. Money economy has led to commercialization of bride wealth whereby the parents of the bride exploit the groom
8. Money economy has shifted the respect that was accorded to elders because of their wisdom to young people who are rich
9. It has encouraged dependence on a few individuals who are employed/has encouraged laziness
10. It has led to social evils/immorality 7 x 1 = 7 marks

(c) How can Christians in Kenya help to narrow the gap between the rich and the poor? (6 marks)

1. Christians should pay taxes to the government as required
2. By creating job opportunities/employing the jobless
3. Through training/equipping the poor with skills for self-reliance
4. By assisting the poor to access loans/credit facilities to improve their livelihood
5. By condemning vices that widen the gap between the rich and the poor
6. By exercising fairness/avoiding corrupt practices
7. Christians should call upon the government to be accountable to her citizens
8. Through preaching/advocating for application of virtues that promote equality
9. Providing education for the poor. 6 x I = 6 marks

Teaching on wealth

Introduction

READ LUKE, 16: 1 – 18

Read Luke, 16: 19 – 31