Previous post: https://scored.co/c/Christianity/p/19A0tQMqgb/on-superfluous-wealth--the-spiri/c
The basic idea seems to be that God gives wealth beyond one's needs ("superfluous wealth") to be used for the good of others
A man may possess great riches without sin, however this is spiritually dangerous and makes salvation more difficult because temptations are increased:
> It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 19:24
Some mere holding of wealth beyond one's needs has been thought to be sinful, for example with the story of the "rich man and Lazarus" (Luke 16) where the rich man was condemned for not using his wealth to help the poor man Lazarus who was in need
Contrary to a spirit of usury (or lending at interest), Jesus even recommends as an ideal to lend without expecting any returns:
> "But love ye your enemies: do good, and lend, hoping for nothing thereby" Luke 6:35
Hence following these kinds of principles, which seem contrary to a common understanding of the use of money today, would seem to have an effect of distributing wealth more evenly (the richest become poorer voluntarily, and enrich the poorest which makes them richer, thereby tending towards more of an equal economic status)
(In light of the above, it is noted that different people have different economic needs; for example the father of a large family may of course need much more materially than an unmarried individual who lives simply)
What do you think about people's attitudes towards money today and how these kinds of principles ought to be practically implemented more in the world or in the USA to make the country greater?
