Catholic Christianity & Wealth (AQA GCSE Religious Studies B): Revision Note

Catholic teachings on the responsibilities of wealth

What are Catholic teachings on the responsibilities of wealth?

• Catholics believe that wealth is a gift from God and not something people own absolutely

  • This means that it must be used responsibly and in a way that reflects God’s love and concern for others

• Catholic teaching is based on the Bible, which shows that wealth should be used to help others

  • Jesus taught that loving your neighbour involves caring for those who are poor or suffering

  • Jesus also warned that wealth can become spiritually dangerous if it leads to greed, selfishness or pride

    • This is shown in his teaching that it is harder for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God if they put money before God

  • Catholics believe in stewardship, meaning people are caretakers of God’s resources rather than owners

    • Wealth should be shared fairly and used to support those in need

  • A key Catholic belief is the preferential option for the poor, which teaches that the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable should come first

    • This gives wealthy people a greater responsibility to help them

• In the Bible, Jesus emphasises the importance of caring for the poor

• In Matthew 25:35–40, Jesus teaches that helping the hungry, thirsty, sick and imprisoned is like helping Jesus himself

  • This passage encourages Christians to show compassion and care for those in need

  • Jesus said in Luke 4:18 that he was sent “to proclaim good news to the poor,” demonstrating that helping the poor is a central part of his mission

• In Luke 10:25–37, the Parable of the Good Samaritan teaches Christians to love their neighbours, regardless of social status or background

  • The Samaritan helps a man in need, even though they were not from the same community

    • This parable encourages Christians to care for people in need, no matter who they are

• The Bible teaches that God is a God of justice and righteousness

  • In Micah 6:8, God says, 

• Christians are called to act justly, which includes addressing poverty and inequality

• Proverbs 31:8–9 urges people to “speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute” 

  • This highlights the responsibility Christians have to fight for the rights of the poor

Catholic teaching about wealth creation

What does the Catholic Church teach about wealth creation?

• Catholics believe that creating wealth is not sinful in itself because work and creativity are gifts from God

• Catholic teaching, based on the Bible, supports hard work and responsibility

  • Wealth should be gained honestly and not through exploitation, injustice or harm to others

• Wealth creation is seen as positive when it provides employment, supports families and helps meet people’s basic needs, showing love of neighbour through action

• Catholics believe wealth must be created in a just and ethical way, meaning businesses should pay fair wages, provide safe working conditions and avoid exploiting workers or the environment

• A key Catholic belief is that wealth creation should serve the common good, not just individual profit, so economic success should benefit society as a whole

• Catholics also teach that wealth creation brings responsibility, meaning profits should be shared fairly and used to help the poor rather than leading to greed or extreme inequality

Catholic attitudes to wealth

What are Catholic attitudes to wealth?

• Catholics believe wealth should be used to promote social justice and the common good, not just personal comfort

  • This means that unfair systems that allow extreme poverty alongside extreme wealth are morally wrong

• Wealthy individuals are expected to live generously and avoid materialism

  • This can be done by giving to charity, supporting aid organisations and helping those in poverty

• Catholics also believe governments and societies have responsibilities regarding wealth

  • This includes reducing poverty, protecting the vulnerable and ensuring fair wages and opportunities for everyone

• Catholics believe humans are stewards of God’s resources, not absolute owners, which means wealth should be used responsibly and in ways that respect God and other people

• While wealth itself is not considered sinful, Catholics teach that greed and ignoring the needs of the poor are sinful because they deny the dignity of others and go against Jesus’s teachings

• The Church warns that wealth becomes morally wrong when it leads to materialism, where money becomes more important than God or people

Different perspectives on wealth

What is the Catholic perspective on wealth?

• Catholics believe wealth should be judged by how it is used rather than how much is owned

  • This means that money is morally neutral but becomes good or bad depending on whether it is used to help others or only benefit oneself

• Catholic teaching stresses that wealth should support human dignity

  • Therefore, economic systems and personal wealth are only acceptable if they respect workers’ rights, provide fair wages and allow people to live with dignity

• The Church teaches that wealth should help build solidarity

  • This means that those who are more fortunate have a responsibility to support and stand with those who are poorer or excluded from society

• Catholics believe excessive inequality damages society, as it creates division and injustice

  • So wealth should be managed in a way that reduces poverty rather than increases social gaps

• Another Catholic belief is that wealth must never replace God as the centre of life 

  • So Catholics are warned against materialism, where money becomes a source of security or identity instead of faith

• Catholics also believe that wealth can be a tool for peace and stability when it is used to support education, healthcare and development, especially in poorer countries

• The Bible often warns against the dangers of wealth, teaching that money can distract people from God and lead to selfishness if it becomes a priority over faith and compassion

  • Jesus taught that following God is more important than riches and encouraged generosity and care for the poor rather than storing up wealth for oneself

What is the capitalist perspective on wealth?

• This perspective sees wealth as the result of hard work, talent and ambition, and considers individuals should be free to earn and keep wealth

  • Wealth creation is seen as positive because it can lead to economic growth, job creation and higher living standards

• From a Catholic viewpoint, this perspective is acceptable only if it includes ethical limits, fair wages and concern for the poor

What is the socialist perspective on wealth?

• This view argues that wealth should be shared more equally to prevent poverty and inequality

  • Extreme wealth alongside extreme poverty is seen as unjust

• Catholics agree that inequality is wrong but believe wealth should be shared voluntarily through justice and charity, not only through enforced equality

What is the secular perspective on wealth?

• Some people believe wealth is a personal matter, and individuals have no moral obligation to share it

  • Success and wealth are often measured by personal achievement rather than responsibility

• Catholics reject this view, arguing that ignoring the poor goes against human dignity and the teachings of the Bible