What explanation does your religion provide for people living in extreme poverty/luxury?

Question

I would like to hear about how your religion explains why some people are living in extreme poverty while some are living in extreme luxury. Even though we all know intelligence, motivation, socio-economic factors and luck of the person are some of the determinant factors, i would still like to know from a religious viewpoint.

Answer 1

This isn't entirely a matter of religion. People are free to choose how they will act, and when people put their own interests and greed before the welfare of others, such things will happen. Many Native American tribes became poor simply because of European greed and expansionism. the only relation this had to my religion is that the predominant faith of the Europeans was also responsible for the destruction of many other faiths. It still stands against my faith.

Answer 2

You know I really hate to be like this but the first thing that popped in my head is God is not a communist! God honors faith, the bible says "I have never seen the righteous forsaken or God's seed begging for bread." The gospel is going out all over this world, there are many ministers in all (pretty much all ) the foreign lands preaching the gospel of the Kingdom the ones who get saved are getting fed, clothed, taken care of, and Persecuted because they dare to love Jesus. the powers of darkness and light are becoming clearer as time goes by. Christians (ministries) feed more poor people than the government ever dreams of. Many saints have given their lives to insure people are fed, clothed and hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. And when people get Richer and they don't care about anyone but themselves, they are heaping Judgement and Condemnation on themselves for the last day. Why does God let it happen? So their punishment will be just.

Answer 3

Well Twinkie:
I can provide an answer from the Bible.
1 John 5:19 states:
"the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one."
It is Satan's world out there.
He has the greater influence on mankind.
And he is known for injustice. He loves it.
On a positive note, may I finish by quoting Matthew 6:33, wherein Jesus referred to the necessities of life:
"Keep on seeking first the kingdom and all these other things will be added to you."
That's in reference to food, clothing, shelter. Not luxuries.

Answer 4

The facts which do better the mens life must be given to all men of the Earth, not only for money. The money is an idol today.
From jnsr site :"
God Does Nothing Without Warning

*******



2007



JESUS: I will go on showing you My riches which will be yours if you accept Me. Some think them worthless because of what they own on this Earth: gold, money, precious jewels, all material goods that seem endless, all that luxury weighing, in their eyes, much more than Eternal Life with God. It is a horrible choice. One does not prefer a “nice” ship to a “worthless” boat if the latter contains the Holy God of the entire Universe.



Therefore, My child, it is obvious that if I give this world more time to reflect on what it is losing and on what it might gain with My choice in its hands, the World can continue its rotation a long time in this disorder which inevitably pulls it towards the certain death of all Creation including all human beings. Little by little, you will taste the sorrow to the very end.



I still leave you this last moment for reflection.



Do not think that you have the choice, and that the time of waiting is indefinite. The rich young man of the Gospel must wake up today, for all his possessions can go up in smoke as early as tonight.



Today, all peoples are facing this choice.



Each of you, you are already before God like your first parents: will you choose My Tree of Life with all My promises to you or will you go on eating of the Tree of Knowledge, whose fruits are beginning to have a bitter taste, that tree of which roots have almost exhausted the riches of My Earth because of your greed to pick endlessly the forbidden fruit.



You all have, all the World, all Nations, shamelessly eaten of this fruit. By extending your arm, you succeeded in stuffing yourselves, leaving the little ones, the weak, out of this uncivilized, unjust sharing. What will you do now with all those goods unjustly obtained? Because, for God, all profits must be shared among everyone so that each one has the equal share.



Will you change?



Will you be able to come to My Table and share with Me the meal of the King who invites each of you to eat with Me? Think quickly!



JESUS of Nazareth.



†

† †

"

Answer 5

they were not productive in there ventures. Essentially the poor are generaly poor becuse they made poor decisions. Ex. Buying drugs instead of paying rent. Partying all night instead of getting a good nights sleep for work. Vanitic pride ("this job is below me") thats why they become poor. naturally they become not poor by not doing the things that make them poor.

The rich.... Some becuse they where productive. (like Bill Gates) others where born into it.

That is essentially what Asatru has to say about it.

Answer 6

The genocidal Vatican is the richest "nation" on earth. Catholics, which are not saved Christians, go along with this, and watch as riches are poured out to pedophile victims. At least some of the riches are given to those abused.

Answer 7

in fact, to some extent , i due this to destiny
just my friend, debby, whom i met on sugarmommymeet.com, once told me that man is controlled by destiny,
he believes in Buddhism, he also mentioned that a person would be born in a Royal family or a child of beggar, even if he child of beggar becomes successful after hard struggle, it is still very unfair to him

Answer 8

*SOmetimes people are wealthy because God blesses them
*Sometimes people are wealthy because they have exploited others
*Sometimes people are poor because God wants them to learn joyfulness and contentment in all situations
*sometimes people are poor becasue they won't work
*sometimes people are poor because God wants to teach others compassion.
*sometimes people are wealthy becasue they have used God's gifts to them wisely
*sometimes people are poor because they have not used the things God has given them wisely

These are explanations the Bible gives. I'm sorry I don't have the references handy. But, read the Bible and you will see it.

Answer 9

Greed, laziness, selfishness

Answer 10

None - I have no religion.

My reason accepts all of the rational factors you mentioned....