The Relationships Between Christianity and Charity In this essay I will be looking at how Christianity and charities relate to each other. In the first section I will be looking at what Christians teach, preach and believe about charity. In the second section I will show what Christians actually do and focus on Christian charities. In the third I will conclude with what I think about Christian charities and how well I think they work. The foundation of a Christian’s faith and belief is centred on love. Christians are taught to ‘Love thy neighbor’ (Leviticus 19:18). I think it would be easy to look at this in the modern, Western world we live in now and take it to literally mean, love your …show more content…
And a poor widow came, and threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And having called his disciples to him, he said, Verily I say to you, that this poor widow hath thrown in more than all who have thrown into the treasury: For they all have thrown in out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty hath thrown in all that she had, all her living’ Mark 12:41-44. This is saying how it is easy to give a lot if you have it spare, or left over from what you need, but it is far harder to actually give what you need and by doing so you are giving more because you are prepared to give it up for someone else’s sake. ‘No matter who says what, you should accept it with a smile and do your own work,’ Mother Teresa. By this Mother Teresa meant that you should continue doing what you think is right and believe in regardless of what any other person thinks. ‘Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!"’ Mark 10:1-23. To be able to be happy you don’t need to be rich but you need to give what you can to the poor, otherwise your greed becomes
5. What is your basis of ethics? My basics of ethics was taught by my grandma she instilled a lot of her values and morals in my life giving me the teachings that made her a bright woman. She made sure to start on me early by getting me involved in church and helping me understand my religion and god and what he expects from his people. I was told to become a leader and not a follower use gods power that he using in my life to restore and help those who may be broken in life. I always ask god if I’m unsure I understand in this world of many temptations we may fall but our god isn’t a judging god and will be there with open ears and arms to help you get it right if you want change. I am not perfect but I pay attention I know right from wrong and know I am help accountable for my actions and faults. And have god move in my
• Writes about James, brother of Jesus, who was called the Christ. Stoned to death in A.D. 62. Pg.78
I am only thinking about myself and have been conditioned by society that the poor are beneath me. Just as hooks states in her book, “Society is telling them that poverty and nihilism are one and the same. If they cannot escape poverty, then they have no choice but to drown in the image of a life that is valueless” (hooks, 198), we have been taught by society to believe that poverty and nihilism are synonymous, but this is not true. Just as it takes a village to raise a child, I believe it takes a nation to resolve the issue of poverty. Our society needs to dig deep to reignite the morals that generations in the past taught us; sharing our resources, whether monetarily or charitably, through understanding, kindness and generosity to those less fortunate. We all have to be ready to share liberally and recognize the fact that there are those who struggle and deserve attention paid to their struggles. By helping others who have not, we keep our humanity intact and maintain our ability to empathize and show compassion towards others. Our culture is based on working together and helping our neighbors. We need to stop considering the poor invisible and instead take personal steps to keep our communities thriving via good will towards others, and lending a helping hand. The poor, just as our environment, are our responsibility, and the sharing of resources is crucial to bringing an individual from poverty to a more
The call of John Winthrop for the Massachusetts Bay colony to be a “City on a Hill” literally meant for the members of the colony to be a spiritual example and guide for others, but also implies the ontological statement of exceptionalism through capital gain. In this paper, the reader will discover the connection between John Winthrop and mercantilism, which is a branch of capitalism that focuses on merchants trading using the government to help regulate the expansion of capital. In addition, the content of this paper will extrapolate on the pragmatic implications of this economic system and its effects on the people involved. John Winthrop’s sermon, “On the Model of Christian Charity,” establishes a pre-capitalist ideology through the presupposition of Winthrop’s personal/political beliefs, Puritan thought, and the manifestation of these thoughts actualized in the marginalization of Native Americans.
We all heard countless solutions on how to solve world poverty. In Peter Singer’s article “Rich and Poor”, he discusses how he thinks this problem can be fixed. Singer claims that we all have a responsibility to support people who are in extreme need and are suffering from absolute poverty. Singer believes that poverty could be fixed if people give up their luxuries and give the money that they spent on unnecessary things to those who are destitute. In Singer 's mind, we all have a duty to give until we are no longer able to, or until the problem with the world poverty will be solved. Singer feels that it is necessary for people who are more wealthy to help those who are less fortunate by donating money right away to organizations that help fight poverty. In his opinion, by not helping those in need we are negatively responsible for their suffering and thus failing to live a moral life.
The word “Christian” in Colorado Christian University is more than just a belief shared amongst the Faculty and Student Body. It is the foundation on which all aspects of the educational experience are built. Beginning with a strong Statement of Faith, which aligns with core beliefs of the National Association of Evangelicals, the University proclaims its belief “in the Bible as being the only authoritative Word of God, that God exists in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, as well as belief in the salvation and resurrection that is only found in Christ Jesus” (Statement of Faith at Colorado Christian University, n.d.).
According to Cinque McFarlane-Blake in his response to Rhome Balmeo’s inquiry about lessening the gap between the rich and the poor, the rich should try to create job opportunities for the poor. One of these opportunities could be urban farming and teaching the poor to grow food to sell to manufacturing companies or even small companies. I agree with Cinque McFarlane-Blake’s beliefs because in the United States, people who are poor, generally stay poor because of America’s social structure. With the help of the rich, or organizations that help people find jobs, the poor could learn skills that will, in turn, help them provide for their families and perhaps move up the social ladder. Several non-profit organizations such as homeless shelters,
Christians do not think money is a bad thing. However, they believe the way money is earned and used is the issue. Most Christians believe that wealth is a gift from God to benefit others. Christians believe that all money belongs to God and he gives them stewardship of his money to use wisely. The Bible teaches, “You cannot serve both God and money.” (Matthew 6:24). For Christians this means that they must be careful not to replace their love for God with the love of money.
Christians believe that they have a responsibility for other people in the world. A responsibility towards those less fortunate is very important to Christians, they believe it is their duty to help the poor and those less fortunate. It is important for Christians to be responsible and care for the people in countries of poverty. God made people in his own image, as it stats in “Pacem in Terris,”: “God also created man in His own image and likeness, endowed him with the intelligence and freedom, and made him lord of creation, as the same psalmist declares in the words: Thou hast placed him only a little below the angels, crowning him with glory and honour and bidding him rule
your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the
The Chinese Christian church in the United States often has ethnic characteristics, but different Chinese churches often have special concentration in the composition of the congregation, which reflects the tide of Chinese immigrants in different stages. For example, descendants of early immigrants from southern China usually have their fixed church. International students from the mainland of China have the church which they set up together. And other "informal immigrants" also formed Christian organizations. According to Aihui Lee, she divides American Chinese Christianity into four categories.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. This is the first Beatitude. It tells us that we should accept people for who they are and not the material things they have. You should not treat a person who lives in a nice house and drives a nice car any different then someone who lives in a less desirable house and drives an old car. You should treat everyone how you would like to be treated. Just because someone can not afford some of the things as you might be able to does not mean that they are a bad person. We should accept everyone into our community.
John Winthrop wrote A Model of Christian Charity in 1630 aboard the Arabella. Winthrop was a firm believer in the Puritan faith and is known to have spoken this sermon on board the ship to help inspire passengers to go forth and create a “new society” focused on God “in a perilous environment” (Beardsley 1). Winthrop and his fellow Puritans were determined to establish a new society in America that was focused on doing justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God (9). In A Model of Christian Charity, Winthrop uses theological and biblical references to define justice as loving and respecting all those around you, despite any differences, and as living out actions God wants his people to do; this exemplifies Winthrop’s Puritan religious beliefs which focus on creating a close-knit society.
We can help the poor by not turning away from them but by helping them
“There would be no poverty on Earth if we made a sacred resolution that we would have no more than we need for our creature-comforts. And it would not do for a millionaire to sluggishly say that he owns millions because he needs those for his creature comforts. On the contrary, a man who is poor will