St. Paul in his letters to the young churches was full of concern that the material needs of those in financial straits be met by the generosity of those who were better off. He also declared that he was not advocating the impoverishment of one group in giving to others, but rather equality among the congregations. He reminds us that those poor in terms of material wealth are still able to bless others with other kinds of goods, so that helping them out financially was not really "charity" but the discharge of a debt of love. He echoes the Psalmist who warns us not to trust in riches "even when they increase", but to be content in all circumstances. The CSDC builds on what the Scriptures teach.
"Improper accumulation of wealth is immoral", it says in CSDC 328. Especially in times of economic distress, we must remember that wealth comes from God for the use of all, for "all" is His possession, and "all" are His beloved. The truly humble person, believing this, will gladly share what he has, remembering that someday he too might need the generosity of those he helped today. (CSDC 329)
Hi Julia,
I like your comment on how the CSDC builds on what scripture teaches. I don't think that is something commonly acknowledge. What is even worse is when because we are wealthy we believe that we somehow deserve that wealth and people who are poor somehow deserve to be poor.
Pat