Wealth and its use
Wealth: money, land, property and possessions.
- Most faiths say earning wealth honestly is fine; it can support family and good causes.
- Greed and the love of money are warned against; the rich have a duty to help others.
- Ideas of stewardship or trusteeship (Gandhi): wealth is held in trust for society.
- Many teach simple living and contentment.
Causes of poverty
Poverty: not having enough for basic needs such as food, water, shelter, health care and education. Absolute poverty is living below a minimum line (the World Bank uses about US$3 a day); relative poverty is being much poorer than most people around you.
- Personal: unemployment, low pay, illness or disability, family breakdown, addiction, debt.
- Wider: poor education, natural disasters, war, corruption, unfair trade, discrimination (caste, gender, race).
Debate: some say people should work their way out of poverty; others stress that many causes are beyond a person's control, so society must help.
Exploitation of the poor
- Unfair pay: wages too low to live on; unsafe working conditions.
- Excessive interest: loan sharks charge huge interest, trapping people in debt (bonded labour). Some faiths ban or limit interest (riba in Islam).
- Child labour: children working instead of studying.
- People trafficking: moving people by force or trickery for forced work; modern slavery.
Fair trade, minimum-wage laws and fair-loan schemes are responses.
Giving money to the poor
- Zakat (Islam): giving 2.5% of savings each year; plus voluntary sadaqah.
- Dana (Hinduism, Buddhism): generous giving without expecting return.
- Tithe (Christianity): traditionally a tenth of income; plus charity and church aid groups.
- Tzedakah (Judaism): giving as justice.
- Seva and dasvandh (Sikhism): selfless service and giving a tenth.
Short-term vs long-term aid
Emergency (short-term) aid: food, water, shelter after a disaster. Long-term aid: schools, wells, skills, fair loans, so people can support themselves. Some worry giving money directly may be misused or create dependence; others say need must be met now.
What is social justice?
Social justice means a fair society where everyone has equal rights, fair chances and their basic needs met. Equality treats everyone the same; equity gives each what they need to reach the same chance. Many faith and non-religious groups campaign for social justice, e.g. against poverty and discrimination.
Try it: the 3D and at home
Test three ways of sharing in free play. Then look for a fair-trade label or plan a small seva activity.
Key formulas and definitions
- Use of wealth: earn fairly + use well + share
- Zakat = 2.5% of yearly savings above a minimum
- Tithe = 1/10 of income
- Equality = same for all; equity = according to need
- Short-term aid = now; long-term aid = self-reliance
Worked examples
1. A family has savings of ₹2,00,000 above the minimum for a year. How much zakat is due?
2.5% of 2,00,000 = 0.025 × 2,00,000 = ₹5,000.
2. A loan shark lends 1,000 at 10% interest per month, added each month without repayment. Roughly how much is owed after 2 months?
Month 1: 1,000 × 1.1 = 1,100. Month 2: 1,100 × 1.1 = 1,210. The debt grows fast, showing exploitation.
3. After an earthquake, which aid is short-term and which long-term: tents, rebuilding a school, food parcels, training builders?
Short-term: tents and food parcels. Long-term: rebuilding the school and training builders.
Common mistakes
- Saying religions think all wealth is evil. Most say wealth is fine if earned fairly and shared.
- Blaming poverty only on laziness. Many causes are outside a person's control.
- Thinking charity only means money. Time, skills and service count too.
- Mixing equality (same for all) with equity (by need).