Learning activity responding to the poor assignment
docx
keyboard_arrow_up
School
Liberty University *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
101
Subject
Philosophy
Date
Dec 6, 2023
Type
docx
Pages
6
Uploaded by MajorCrownMole19
1
A Christians Responsibility to the Poor
In my view, it is accurate to say that the wealthy often have a significant influence on
making laws, and these laws sometimes tend to benefit the wealthy rather than the poor. This
imbalance in power and resources can create a sense of injustice and inequality within society.
When it comes to resolving this issue, the concept of 'share and share alike' and ensuring
that everyone gets an equal share of the wealth can certainly be a valid perspective. It promotes
the idea of equitable distribution of resources and opportunities, aiming to uplift the less
privileged members of society.
As believers in Christ, our responsibility to the poor is to show compassion, empathy, and
actively work towards alleviating their suffering. Jesus himself taught us to care for the
marginalized and less fortunate, emphasizing the importance of love, generosity, and justice. It is
our duty to extend a helping hand, provide support, and advocate for policies that promote social
justice and equality.
The government also has a crucial role to play in addressing poverty and ensuring the
well-being of its citizens. It should strive to create policies and programs that uplift the poor,
provide access to essential services, and create opportunities for economic mobility. The
government's responsibility lies in promoting a fair and just society, where the needs of all
individuals, including the poor, are met.
Looking at early Western cultures, including ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, we can
see that the poor often faced significant challenges and disadvantages. They were marginalized,
excluded from political decision-making, and faced societal prejudices that blamed them for their
poverty. However, there were instances where leaders recognized the need to support the poor,
providing them with food subsidies or assistance.
2
Europe in the 1300s indeed experienced a significant disparity between the wealthy and
the poor, which was characterized by the feudal system and the establishment of serfdom. This
system allowed wealthy landowners to profit from the labor of serfs who worked on their estates.
Serfs, as agricultural laborers, were bound to work for their lord and were limited in their
ability to improve their circumstances. While they had certain rights such as the right to marry,
have legitimate children, and make legal contracts, their options for upward mobility were
limited.
Serfs were entitled to protection, justice, and the right to cultivate certain fields for their
own subsistence. However, they were required to pay a significant portion of their produce to the
lord as fees for land use, the use of mills and ovens, and other services. Additionally, they were
obligated to pay the church a tithe, which was a portion of their produce.
This system of serfdom perpetuated a cycle of poverty for the majority of the population,
as the serfs had limited opportunities to accumulate wealth or improve their economic situation.
While they had some level of stability and the right to cultivate their own land, the feudal system
reinforced the social and economic divide between the wealthy landowners and the poor serfs.
This example serves as a reminder of the historical challenges faced by the poor in early
Western cultures. It highlights the need for societies to strive for more equitable systems and
opportunities that empower individuals to rise above poverty and create a better future for
themselves and their families.
It is essential for us to learn from history and strive to create a society where all
individuals have equal opportunities and access to basic necessities. This requires a collective
effort from both individuals and governments to address systemic inequalities, advocate for
social justice, and provide support to those in need.
3
The 1800s marked a period of significant social and economic change, particularly with
the Industrial Revolution. During this time, the gap between the rich and the poor became more
pronounced, leading to increased attention on the disparities between the two classes. Karl Marx
emerged as a prominent figure, advocating for communism and highlighting the class struggle
between the bourgeois (affluent middle class) and the proletariat (oppressed workers).
According to Marx, the bourgeoisie suppressed the proletariat to maintain their wealth
and power. He believed that the class struggle would ultimately result in the victory of the
proletariat, who would then take control of the means of production. Under the "dictatorship of
the proletariat," the capitalist system would be collectivized, eliminating the distinction between
rich and poor. Marx argued that the state, with its laws and institutions, only served to oppress
the working class and would eventually become obsolete.
However, in the 1800s and 1900s, Western cultures largely embraced capitalism as their
predominant economic system, despite Marx's theories. While capitalism promotes virtues such
as hard work and thriftiness, it also presents challenges for the poor, as income disparities can
limit opportunities for education, skills development, and upward mobility. This highlights the
importance of providing support and creating opportunities for the less fortunate to become self-
sufficient.
Within Western culture, Christianity has long been associated with compassion and
charity towards the poor. The teachings of Christ emphasize the duty to care for those in need,
with references to providing food, clothing, and shelter to the less fortunate. The parable of the
Good Samaritan exemplifies the value of helping others, and various religious traditions,
including Hebrew synagogues, have practiced almsgiving as a form of assistance for the poor.
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
4
Overall, the example highlights the ongoing struggle between rich and poor throughout
history and the different approaches taken by various ideologies and religious beliefs to address
this issue within Western culture. It underscores the importance of striving for economic systems
that promote fairness, while also emphasizing the role of compassion and charity in supporting
those in need.
As believers, our primary job is to proclaim the Gospel and share the message of
forgiveness and redemption through Jesus Christ. This is the Great Commission given to us by
Christ himself. While our main focus should be on spreading the Gospel, we must also show
compassion and care for the poor, just as Jesus would do.
Helping the poor is not only about providing them with material needs, but it is also
about recognizing their God-given dignity and empowering them to be who God created them to
be. Poverty alleviation is about building relationships and helping individuals thrive and become
self-sufficient. The church, as the body of Christ, has a responsibility to passionately care for the
poor and be at the forefront of addressing poverty.
While it is important to address immediate needs, we must also have a long-term vision
of flourishing and self-sustenance. We must not solely rely on the government to provide for the
poor, but instead, take on the responsibility ourselves. Christians should set the tone for helping
the poor within our culture, exemplifying a compassionate use of accumulated wealth and
prioritizing the needs of others over personal prosperity.
Scripture emphasizes the importance of providing for the poor and warns against lacking
compassion for those in need. It is not enough to simply speak words of love and compassion,
but we must also demonstrate it through our actions. Helping the poor is not an option for
believers, but a responsibility. We are called to love in truth and deed, not just in words.
5
While some may see helping the poor as a group activity, it is each individual believer's
responsibility to have compassion for the poor. We are called to share with those in need and help
them individually, as well as alongside our local church. We must view poverty from God's
perspective and develop the attitude and action of loving our neighbor as ourselves.
Through prayer and seeking God's guidance, we can open our eyes to the needs of the
poor, both in material and spiritual aspects. We are called to be God's hands and feet to the less
fortunate, ministering to them and showing them the love and compassion of Christ.
In my opinion, it is accurate to say that the wealthy often have a significant influence on
making laws, and these laws sometimes tend to benefit the wealthy rather than the poor. This
imbalance in power and resources can create a sense of injustice and inequality within society.
When it comes to resolving this issue, the concept of 'share and share alike' and ensuring
that everyone gets an equal share of the wealth can certainly be a valid perspective. It promotes
the idea of equitable distribution of resources and opportunities, aiming to uplift the less
privileged members of society.
As believers in Christ, our responsibility to the poor is to show compassion, empathy, and
actively work towards alleviating their suffering. Jesus himself taught us to care for the
marginalized and less fortunate, emphasizing the importance of love, generosity, and justice. It is
our duty to extend a helping hand, provide support, and advocate for policies that promote social
justice and equality.
The government also has a crucial role to play in addressing poverty and ensuring the
well-being of its citizens. It should strive to create policies and programs that uplift the poor,
provide access to essential services, and create opportunities for economic mobility. The
6
government's responsibility lies in promoting a fair and just society, where the needs of all
individuals, including the poor, are met.
Looking at early Western cultures, including ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, we can
see that the poor often faced significant challenges and disadvantages. They were marginalized,
excluded from political decision-making, and faced societal prejudices that blamed them for their
poverty. However, there were instances where leaders recognized the need to support the poor,
providing them with food subsidies or assistance.
It is essential for us to learn from history and strive to create a society where all
individuals have equal opportunities and access to basic necessities. This requires a collective
effort from both individuals and governments to address systemic inequalities, advocate for
social justice, and provide support to those in need.
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help